Can Satellite Mega-Constellations Justify Their Impact On Astronomy?

08 November 2021, Version 1
This content is an early or alternative research output and has not been peer-reviewed by Cambridge University Press at the time of posting.

Abstract

Near-earth space is being increasingly commercialised by private space companies. This has many consequences for science, particularly, astronomy. Some estimates show that more than 100,000 satellites may orbit the Earth by 2030. Satellite mega-constellations for satellite Internet connectivity are one of the main drivers behind the explosion in the number of satellites. Here, we note whether such satellite mega-constellations can justify their impact on astronomy.

Keywords

Astronomy
Satellite

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