A prototype satellite, known as BlueWalker 3, has emerged as one of the brightest objects in the night sky, raising concerns among astronomers about the increasing presence of private space ventures in low-Earth orbit. Launched by AST SpaceMobile in September 2022, BlueWalker 3 boasts a large antenna array of nearly 700 square feet, making it the largest commercial satellite in low-Earth orbit. This significant size causes it to reflect sunlight, causing fluctuations in brightness depending on its position relative to the sun and viewing angle. The International Astronomical Union’s Center for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (CPS) conducted a 130-day observation campaign of BlueWalker 3, revealing its intermittent brightness, which occasionally surpasses that of most stars and planets visible from Earth.
Astronomers have expressed growing concerns about the proliferation of such large, bright commercial satellites, as many more are slated for launch in the future. While these satellites can enhance communication capabilities, their potential disruption of scientific observations is a major concern. AST SpaceMobile intends to deploy approximately 100 cellular broadband satellites based on the BlueWalker 3 design.
SpaceX’s Starlink satellites have also garnered attention for their impact on the night sky, prompting the company to experiment with dark coatings to reduce reflected light, though this has yielded limited success. Astronomers are calling for more comprehensive solutions and the development of satellite avoidance strategies for ground-based observatories to address the growing challenges posed by these artificial satellite constellations.
Beyond issues of visibility, commercial satellites in low-Earth orbit pose a threat to radio astronomy, potentially interfering with radio telescope observations. A previous study by the CPS highlighted that Starlink satellites were emitting unintended electromagnetic radiation that could disrupt radio astronomy.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Euro Tidings journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
