Prof. Sam LawlerSep 18, 2024

Oh look, Starlink is continuing to screw up the sky in every way possible.

"Second-Generation Starlink Satellites Leak 30 Times More Radio Interference, Threatening Astronomical Observations"

https://www.astron.nl/starlink-satellites/

It's going to be "hilarious" when Starlink messes up the radio sky so badly that radio astronomers can't even use quasars to calibrate GPS anymore. There are so many consequences from all these stupid, cheaply built, disposable satellites. https://www.universetoday.com/105160/navigating-the-cosmos-by-quasar/

Second-Generation Starlink Satellites Leak 30 Times More Radio Interference, Threatening Astronomical Observations | ASTRON

Observations with the LOFAR (Low Frequency Array) radio telescope last year showed that first generation Starlink satellites emit unintended radio waves that can hinder astronomical observations.

ASTRON
Show threadOlsonSep 18, 2024
@sundogplanets I am naive about spacecraft. Do these satellites have a way to be brought safely back to earth, or are they stuck in space until they break apart and fall to earth?
Show thread~Sep 18, 2024
@volcano @sundogplanets they have thrusters to avoid other satellites and debris, and they carry enough propellant to deorbit at end of life and burn up safely in the atmosphere
Show thread~Sep 18, 2024
@volcano @sundogplanets it's not foolproof, if something smaller than we can see smacks it just right and we lose communication, or the thrusters are damaged, it may get stuck in orbit indefinitely. But that hasn't happened yet despite an absurd number of these already in orbit for years. Several hundred have already reached end of life and deorbited successfully, too
Show threaddoneSep 18, 2024
@modulusshift @volcano @sundogplanets also burn up “safely in the atmosphere” means that it’s literally being incinerated and pumped into the atmosphere, distributing harmful substances such as heavy metals throughout the planet. This pollution can have other unforeseen consequences like the radio interference we see here, and other unforeseen consequences such as interfering with migratory birds due to fluctuations in magnetic permeability in the atmosphere, etc.
Show threadanlomedad

@done @modulusshift @volcano @sundogplanets

And the burning aluminum from the 2t of a deorbiting satellite reacts with stuff in the atmosphere, the end product kills the ozone layer.
Starlink wants to have 40k satellites. When these have a lifetime of 5years as is common, the aluminum oxide injection per year matches or exceeds that of burning up meteorites.

The ozone layer is important for deflecting incoming heat. Less ozone=more global warming, more Antarctic ice loss.

It is deliberate neglect of responsibility by the subsequent US administrations not putting Musk and Starlink on a tight leash. And the world suffers. Again.

Sep 18, 2024 at 5:19pmWeb