Naked Science Forum

General Science => Question of the Week => Topic started by: MarianaM on 30/09/2019 10:15:20

Title: QotW - 19.09.30 - What will be the impact of SpaceX's Starlink project?
Post by: MarianaM on 30/09/2019 10:15:20

Peter asks...

Space-X has launched the first 60 of what is to be a mesh of some 12,000 satellites. Two questions. How will this completed mesh impact 1) ground based optical and microwave astronomical observations, and 2) the ability of future space missions, manned and otherwise, to navigate through the cloud of objects?


What do you think?

Title: Re: QotW - 19.09.30 - What will be the impact of SpaceX's Starlink project?
Post by: chris on 12/10/2019 08:47:01

How many are up there already? 12000 sounds like a lot, but if it's only a tiny proportion of what is already aloft, arguably the risk is much smaller...

Title: Re: QotW - 19.09.30 - What will be the impact of SpaceX's Starlink project?
Post by: nudephil on 16/10/2019 16:37:14

For anyone reading this in future - turns out 12,000 is considerably more than are up there already! We answered this question with a couple of experts as part of our "Inclusive Computing" show. You can find it there or on the QotW feed.

Title: Re: QotW - 19.09.30 - What will be the impact of SpaceX's Starlink project?
Post by: Hayseed on 16/10/2019 16:40:15

I saw a headline of it yesterday......30,000 will be put there.