Scientists warn Elon Musk's orbital data centers could blind telescopes

Astronomers have raised concerns about the growing number of Elon Musk's Starlink satellites and future expansion plans. The European Southern Observatory (ESO), which operates some of the world's most powerful space telescopes, warns that an increase in satellites could have "devastating consequences" for ground-based astronomical observation.

Musk's vision of constructing an "orbital data center" network comprising one million satellites is a particular point of concern. According to an ESO report, such a network could significantly degrade visibility and interfere with telescope imaging processes. The ESO proposes a limit of 100,000 satellites in low Earth orbit, with a requirement for them to be faint enough to be invisible to the naked eye.

Simulations indicate that the current number of Starlink satellites, and further planned increases, could contribute to skyglow and produce bright streaks in observational images. For instance, the field of view for Europe's Very Large Telescope (VLT) could be reduced by up to 28%. Brighter satellites could render certain telescopes effectively blind for several hours each night, severely hindering astronomical research.

SpaceX has stated its efforts to dim its satellites to minimize light pollution. However, astronomers emphasize that low Earth orbit is a valuable resource requiring responsible management. They argue that controlling light pollution and other environmental impacts from mega-satellite constellations is crucial to ensure the continued accessibility and preservation of space for future research.