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IPFS News Link • Communications

Scientists Report Electromagnetic Radiation from Broadband Satellites Could Impact...

• https://www.activistpost.com, By B.N. Frank

It's hard to keep track of all the issues that have been reported about SpaceX's Starlink broadband satellites.  In fact, earlier this year the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed that SpaceX be fined for not properly reporting launch data of its Starlink satellites some of which have burned and fallen to the ground!  Last year it was also reported that speed from Starlink satellites was slowing down everywhere!

Broadband connections can be achieved via safer and more secure methods than thousands more satellites being launched which are contributing to already dangerous levels of space junk.  Scientists have also been warning about satellites' impact on astronomical research for years and now again.

Rhodes University : New radio astronomical observations confirm unintended electromagnetic radiation emanating from satellites

Excerpt from Rhodes University 

Scientists, including Rhodes University Visiting Professor Dr Gyula Józsa, use the LOFAR telescope to observe low-frequency radio waves from satellites in large constellations for the first time. "Unintended electromagnetic radiation" emanating from onboard electronics in Starlink satellites was detected, which could impact astronomical research.

For a study to be published in the Astronomy & Astrophysics journal, scientists from a number of leading research institutions [1] used the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) telescope centred in the Netherlands to observe 68 Starlink satellites made by SpaceX. The authors conclude that they detected "unintended electromagnetic radiation" emanating from onboard electronics. This is different from communications transmissions, which had been the primary focus for radio astronomers so far. Further scientific evaluation including other satellite systems is underway, as this unintended radiation could impact astronomical research. The authors encourage satellite operators and regulators to consider this impact on radio astronomy in spacecraft development and regulatory processes alike.