Proposed fleets of orbiting datacenters and reflective satellites could significantly disrupt ground-based astronomy, potentially increasing night sky brightness by up to 300% and leaving damaging trails on telescope images, according to a study. Astronomers are urging the FCC to reject these plans, emphasizing the detrimental impact on their ability to observe faint celestial objects.
The proposed launches of new satellite fleets by companies like Reflect Orbital and SpaceX could significantly hinder ground-based astronomy by increasing sky brightness up to 300% and making satellite trails unavoidable in telescope images. This development demands urgent international regulatory measures to mitigate the impact on astronomical observations, as the pace of satellite deployment outstrips current research and policy adaptation.