A recent study has revealed that Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites are unintentionally emitting radio signals, disrupting astronomical observations and potentially blocking scientists’ ability to explore distant regions of space. The research, led by the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON), found that the second-generation Starlink satellites produce radio waves up to 32 times more powerful than their predecessors, across a broader frequency spectrum.
According to lead researcher Cees Bassa, the emissions are significantly brighter than the faint celestial sources studied using LOFAR, ASTRON’s low-frequency array. Bassa explained, “The difference between these satellite emissions and faint astrophysical sources is comparable to the brightness difference between the faintest stars visible to the naked eye and the full moon.” This interference makes it increasingly difficult for astronomers to detect distant objects in space. Compounding the issue, SpaceX is launching about 40 new satellites every week, intensifying the problem.
The unintended radio signals from Starlink are not just disruptive—they might exceed internationally regulated limits for interference. As more companies like OneWeb and Amazon launch their own satellite constellations, the growing congestion in low Earth orbit poses a major threat to radio astronomy.
Federico Di Vruno from the SKA Observatory emphasized the need for immediate intervention, stating, “We are approaching a tipping point where urgent action is necessary to protect our ability to study the universe from Earth.”
The scientific community is calling for greater collaboration between satellite operators, regulatory bodies, and researchers to find solutions. Prof. Jessica Dempsey, director of ASTRON, stressed the importance of cooperation, noting, “We already have solutions for harmonizing space exploration and astronomy—we just need regulators to support us and the satellite industry to work with us.”
Without such collaboration, there’s growing concern that human-made satellite constellations could overshadow our ability to observe the natural ones. As Dempsey cautioned, “Without proper measures, the only constellations we’ll be able to see will be the ones we’ve placed there ourselves.
