Tech entrepreneur and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites have been causing disruptions in both cosmic views and Earth’s orbit, according to a report by Hindustan Times. The satellites, part of Musk’s ambitious plan to provide high-speed internet to underserved areas around the world, have been described as a “mess” by experts.
The Starlink satellites are designed to beam internet coverage from space to users on the ground, but their sheer number – around 2,000 currently in orbit with plans for tens of thousands more – has raised concerns about the impact they are having on astronomers’ ability to observe the night sky. The satellites are particularly noticeable when they pass over in a line, with some astronomers claiming they have already interfered with their observations.
In addition to disrupting cosmic views, the Starlink satellites are also contributing to the problem of space debris and potentially exacerbating the issue of space congestion. With so many satellites in orbit, there is an increased risk of collisions that could create even more debris and pose a danger to other spacecraft.
Musk has acknowledged the concerns raised by astronomers and has attempted to mitigate the impact of the satellites by designing them to be less reflective and experimenting with different coatings to make them less visible. However, some experts believe that these measures may not be enough to prevent further disruption of Earth’s orbit and the night sky.
As Musk continues to launch more Starlink satellites in the coming years, it remains to be seen how these concerns will be addressed and whether the benefits of global internet coverage will outweigh the drawbacks of disrupting cosmic views and cluttering Earth’s orbit.
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