3 ms·
The two problems pointed by the article - light pollution caused by high reflectivity and potential crashes appear to be difficult to solve because solving one
by nindalf 6y ago
The two problems pointed by the article - light pollution caused by high reflectivity and potential crashes appear to be difficult to solve because solving one makes the other worse.
If the satellites tried to become more difficult to detect, perhaps with light absorbent coating they would also become more difficult to detect by other satellites in orbit.
- phreeza 6y agoI don't think that is how collision avoidance works for sattelites. It's more about ground-based radar tracking of trajectories. I think Scott Manley had a video about this, but I can't find it now.
- nelaboras 6y agoThere already was this story of a $bn research satellite having to dodge a throwaway SoaceX satellite. Real issue is accountability and the difference in risk and cost - SpaceX should pay for the reduced lifetime of this satellite (as it costs fuel to change height). https://www.esa.int/Safety_Security/ESA_spacecraft_dodges_large_constellation https://www.esa.int/Safety_Security/ESA_spacecraft_dodges_la... With many more satellites on the way there will be more such stories.
- Isinlor 6y agoCollision avoidance is standard practice in the satellite industry. Here is Iridium CEO: https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/1168582141128650753 https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/1168582141128650753 BTW - Satellite operators (including governments) are currently the only customers of SpaceX. Their interests are SpaceX interests.