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The Explosive Increase in Satellites Poses an Existential Threat to Radio Astronomy

NRC·27 September · 15:00·1 hour ago

Emma van der Wateren, a telescope scientist at the Dutch research institute Astron, warns that the growing number of satellites leaking radiation threatens radio astronomy. With approximately 16,000 satellites currently orbiting Earth and hundreds of thousands more approved, these devices overwhelm sensitive instruments like Lofar with unintended electronic noise. While intentional communication signals are regulated by the International Telecommunication Union, the stray radiation from satellite electronics remains unregulated. Van der Wateren describes this surge as an existential threat to the field, prompting efforts to mitigate interference through measures such as restricting nearby electronic devices.

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