Global Astronomy Groups Say They’re Concerned About SpaceX’s Starlink Satellites

Apparently 12,000 satellites might get in the way of space observations.

By Korey Haynes
Jun 11, 2019 7:07 PMFeb 22, 2020 2:29 AM
Starlink Interupts Lowell Observations - Lowell
Telescopes at Lowell Observatory in Arizona captured this image of galaxies on May 25, their images marred by the reflected light from more than 25 Starlink satellites as they passed overhead. (Credit: Victoria Girgis/Lowell Observatory)

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Elon Musk’s company SpaceX launched 60 small satellites on May 23 as the beginning of the company’s Starlink program. They’re the vanguard of a planned 12,000-satellite-strong constellation that Musk intends to serve as the infrastructure for a cheap global satellite internet system.

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