Some of the strongest interference appeared around 150.8 MHz, a protected range used for radio astronomy. About 700 satellites were found transmitting in that band. The emissions weren’t part of any intended communication. Instead, they likely came from internal systems on the satellites. Since these signals vary and can’t be predicted, they’re hard to block or plan around.
Disruptions at Ground-Based Observatories
Up to 30 percent of some image batches were affected by these signals. Ground telescopes depend on quiet radio zones to gather clear data from space. Even low-level interference can make parts of that research unreliable. Current global regulations focus only on deliberate transmissions. They don’t address this kind of background noise from satellite electronics.
The research focused on Starlink because it’s the largest satellite network at present. During the study, it had over 7,000 satellites in orbit. But other operators may also cause similar interference.
Public Reactions and Technical Views
Public comments on the issue have been mixed. Some said scientists should shift telescope work into space. Others argued that while space observatories like Hubble exist, they serve different functions and have limitations. Ground-based radio telescopes are needed for many long-term and wide-scope studies.
Experts in astronomy and engineering pointed out that satellite systems can leak signals at unexpected frequencies. Even if main transmissions are known, background emissions from internal components can interfere with critical parts of the spectrum. Filtering out these leaks may also remove the data astronomers are trying to capture.
Despite these concerns, satellite internet systems like Starlink have played a key role in bringing online access to rural and remote communities.
Need for Revised Technical Standards
SpaceX hasn’t broken any rules. The company follows existing international frequency regulations. But the findings from this survey have added support for revising those standards. Current laws don’t consider signal leaks that aren’t intentional but still affect science tools on Earth.
While engineers continue to develop ways to work around these issues, such as using better filters or choosing times when fewer satellites pass overhead, these steps only go so far. As more satellites go up, the pressure on Earth-based telescopes is likely to increase.
Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.
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