[MarianaM (OP)]

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?

[chris]

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...

[nudephil]

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.

[Hayseed]

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