Direct-to-Cell: New Starlink satellites significantly brighter
SpaceX's direct-to-cell satellites are currently five times brighter than previous Starlink satellites. Astronomers fear that their work will be impaired.
SpaceX's Direct-to-Cell is intended to supply conventional smartphones with satellite internet. However, astronomers fear that the satellites are significantly brighter than others and contribute to light pollution in the sky.
(Image: SpaceX)
A new study is fueling fears that the increase in low-Earth satellites will increasingly affect space research in the future. The focus here is on SpaceX's new direct-to-cell (DTC) Starlink satellites, which are intended to enable direct connections to smartphones. According to the results, they are almost five times brighter than conventional Starlink satellites. The study was published by the Centre for the Protection of Dark and Quiet Skies from Satellite Constellation Interference, which is part of the International Astronomical Union, a global association of astronomers.
The direct-to-cell satellites orbit at an altitude of 350 kilometers. This is lower than that of the regular Starlink satellites for internet connections, which orbit the Earth at an altitude of 550 kilometers. SpaceX currently already has 100 DTC satellites in orbit. The plan is to increase this number to 7500 - a corresponding permit has been applied for. Smartphones can connect to the satellites without special hardware. Starlink's internet service, on the other hand, requires a special antenna. In this way, SpaceX hopes to open up a new business segment together with mobile network operators.
Brightness is still to be reduced.
SpaceX launched the first six DTC satellites into orbit in January 2024. Initial tests successfully sent text messages and made video calls. The services are to be introduced gradually from this year. The DTC satellites are slightly larger than the Starlink Internet satellites due to their antenna.
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On the occasion of the launch of the first satellites, SpaceX expressed its confidence that it would be able to reduce the brightness of the satellites in the sky. Elon Musk's company explained that talks with astronomers are planned for this purpose. The study also assumes that there will still be improvements - however, the satellites will still be 2.6 times brighter than other Starlink satellites due to their lower altitude. One positive aspect, however, is that the DTC satellites spend a greater proportion of their time in the Earth's shadow. This compensates somewhat for their impact on astronomical observations, according to the paper.
(mki)
