Elon Musk’s string of Starlink satellites, often referred to as a ‘train’, has been spotted in orbit, dazzling sky-gazers. The latest batch of 60 satellites was launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 14, adding to the existing constellation of spacecraft.
The Starlink project, initiated by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX, aims to provide high-speed and low-latency broadband internet service globally, particularly in underserved areas of the planet. The ambitious project involves launching thousands of mass-produced small satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO), working in combination with ground transceivers.
The sight of these satellites moving in a line across the night sky has been a source of fascination for many. Some observers have mistaken the train of satellites for a string of UFOs due to their distinctive appearance as they orbit the Earth. The satellites are particularly visible shortly after launch, before they spread out and their brightness diminishes.
However, not everyone is thrilled with the sight of the Starlink satellites. Astronomers and scientists have voiced concerns that these brightly visible strings of satellites could interfere with astronomical observations. They worry that the light pollution caused by the satellites could hinder the ability to observe and study the universe. SpaceX has made efforts to mitigate these concerns by implementing measures to reduce the satellites’ reflectivity.
As of now, SpaceX has deployed well over 1,000 Starlink satellites and continues to expand its constellation. The company plans to have as many as 12,000 satellites in LEO when the Starlink network is complete. The project is already providing beta service in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Germany, and New Zealand, with more countries expected to be added throughout 2021.
In related news, SpaceX has recently won a contract with NASA to launch the agency’s SPHEREx mission, which is a two-year astrophysics mission set to commence in June 2024. It is aimed at studying the origins of the universe and measuring the near-infrared spectra of approximately 450 million galaxies. This is another significant milestone for Elon Musk’s company, further solidifying its position in the global spaceflight industry.
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