14.01.2025, 06:39
Starlink satellites will fly lower
Source: OREANDA-NEWS
OREANDA-NEWS SpaceX Corporation has proposed to reduce the height of the orbit relative to the Earth, along which the Starlink satellites will travel. This is reported by Gizmodo.
Media journalists drew attention to a letter from SpaceX, which the company sent to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). USA at the end of 2024. In it, the company's engineers proposed placing Starlink satellites at an altitude of 350 kilometers — according to them, this way they will interfere less with astronomical observations. Most of SpaceX's satellites are in orbit 550 kilometers away from Earth.
According to the company's specialists, the test group's low—orbit satellites are 60 percent less likely to be exposed to the Sun's light, so their light is less likely to reflect on the Earth's surface. It has also become more difficult to notice flying satellites with the naked eye.
SpaceX's calculations were confirmed by the National Science Foundation (NSF), with which the corporation cooperates. "New satellites pass through the focal plane of the telescope faster and thus are out of focus," the scientists noted.
However, the NSF said it would test the impact of low-flying satellites on astronomy. They suggested that Starlink satellites in low orbit may be brighter at dusk than conventional satellites.
In mid-January, Rest of the World researchers found out that access to the Starlink service in Africa turned out to be cheaper than wired Internet services in the region. The largest price gap was recorded in Zimbabwe — $30 versus $633.
Media journalists drew attention to a letter from SpaceX, which the company sent to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). USA at the end of 2024. In it, the company's engineers proposed placing Starlink satellites at an altitude of 350 kilometers — according to them, this way they will interfere less with astronomical observations. Most of SpaceX's satellites are in orbit 550 kilometers away from Earth.
According to the company's specialists, the test group's low—orbit satellites are 60 percent less likely to be exposed to the Sun's light, so their light is less likely to reflect on the Earth's surface. It has also become more difficult to notice flying satellites with the naked eye.
SpaceX's calculations were confirmed by the National Science Foundation (NSF), with which the corporation cooperates. "New satellites pass through the focal plane of the telescope faster and thus are out of focus," the scientists noted.
However, the NSF said it would test the impact of low-flying satellites on astronomy. They suggested that Starlink satellites in low orbit may be brighter at dusk than conventional satellites.
In mid-January, Rest of the World researchers found out that access to the Starlink service in Africa turned out to be cheaper than wired Internet services in the region. The largest price gap was recorded in Zimbabwe — $30 versus $633.
Комментарии