Orbital data centres could threaten astronomical research, scientists warn
The proliferation of light-reflecting satellites poses an existential threat to the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's mission, according to the Hindustan Times.
Scientists at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in the Chilean desert have reported that fast-moving, light-reflecting satellites are creating white streaks on their photographs. The $800 million U.S.-taxpayer-funded facility is intended to catalogue galaxies, asteroids, supernovas and black holes.
J. Anthony Tyson, the observatory's chief scientist, described the increasing number of satellites as an "existential threat" to their work. He warned that these machines could eventually make the night sky impossible to recognise.
According to the Hindustan Times, astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell noted that active satellites in orbit have risen from approximately 1,000 a decade ago to over 17,000 today. He estimates the number could exceed 100,000 within ten years.
Future orbital data centres could involve hundreds of thousands of much larger satellites. While Starlink satellites are about four square meters, SpaceX stated its orbital data centre satellites could reach 1,500 square meters, and Cowboy Space said its satellites would be 4,800 square meters.
Samantha Lawler, an associate professor at the University of Regina, said these solar-powered satellites could be as radiant as Venus. She estimated they might drown out the Milky Way and dimmer stars at certain times of night.
While SpaceX has worked on mitigating Starlink brightness, Tyson noted that Starlink satellites are already brighter than International Astronomical Union recommendations. SpaceX, Google, and Blue Origin declined to comment on the matter.