Speaker
Description
There is no doubt that we are experiencing an exponential increase on the number of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Large constellations of satellites like Starlink, OneWeb, Amazon Kuiper, G60 from Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST), and many others are planning to provide low-latency and high speed connectivity to the whole world. They have already surpassed the rest of active satellites in LEO. Combining all proposals submitted to the International Telecommunication Union (UN agency in charge of regulating the use of radio frequencies and space orbits) results in a prediction of more than 500000 satellites in LEO by the end of 2030.
In addition to concerns of space debris, atmospheric pollution, and un-controlled re-entries, the sheer number of satellites will have a significant impact on astronomy if unmitigated. Sunlight reflected of satellite surfaces will impact on optical astronomy observations and could potentially change the view of the night sky as we currently know it. In the radio domain intentional and unintentional emissions will increase the potential for radio interference in very sensitive radio astronomy receivers, as not even radio quiet zones can escape from satellites.
The IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Skies from Satellite Constellation Interference (IAU CPS) aims to address the impacts on astronomy and to seek the preservation of the pristine night sky. The CPS is an international collaboration including professional astronomers, satellite owners and operators, amateur astronomers, space policy professionals and the general public working together to raise awareness on these problems and to find technical solutions possible to implement on both telescopes and satellite constellations.
This talk will briefly introduce the impact that large constellations have on astronomy and the night sky, followed by a description of the IAU CPS, its main areas of work, accomplishments and ongoing efforts. We will also overview the current status of the activities to protect D&QS at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and at the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
