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Elon Musk loves space and wants a human base on Mars and this is no secret. In his attempts to ‘capture’ space, the richest man on Earth has made many lavish expenditures including sending a Tesla car out of Earth and creating a multi-billion dollar company, SpaceX.
Thousands of Starlink satellites in space:
It is again no secret that SpaceX makes Starlink satellites, which provide Internet access to hundreds of locations around the world. Further, as of March 2025, there are approximately 7,095 Starlink satellites in orbit, with 6,382 of them operational and SpaceX is not slowing down sending further of its satellites to add to its constellation.
Curiously, these SpaceX Starlink satellites are surprisingly easy to spot with the naked eye even in cities with some degree of light pollution. The reasons for this are as follows:
Low Earth Orbit (LEO): Starlink satellites orbit at relatively low altitudes, around 340 miles (550 kilometres), making them appear brighter than objects in higher orbits.
Reflective Surfaces: Their surfaces reflect sunlight, especially during dawn or dusk when the sky is dark, but the satellites are still illuminated by the Sun.
Satellite Trains: After a launch, the satellites travel in closely spaced groups, creating a "train" of bright lights that are particularly noticeable.
Large Numbers: With thousands of satellites in orbit, the chances of spotting one are significantly higher.
However, there is a problem. These satellites can forever change the night sky in ways we would rather not prefer.
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The problem of SpaceX Starlink satellites:
The reflective surfaces and low orbits of these satellites result in bright trails of light, obstructing the natural beauty of the stars and disrupting the ability to study celestial phenomena.
For astronomers, both professional and amateur, this interference hampers observations and reduces the accuracy of critical research, such as detecting faint galaxies or tracking asteroids.
Beyond the scientific impact, there is an emotional and cultural loss, as the unspoiled night sky has long been a source of wonder, inspiration, and connection for humanity. If the proliferation of satellite constellations continues unchecked, we risk losing the pristine skies that have guided and awed humans for millennia.
