Starlink Satellites Cause Interference in Protected Bands and Force Scientists to Warn About Risks to Astronomical Research

Written by Maria Heloisa Barbosa Borges

Published on 08/08/2025 at 18:33

Satélites da Starlink emitem 112 mil sinais não intencionais, muitos em frequências reservadas à ciência

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International Study Finds That Unintentional Emissions from Satellites Interfere with Radio Astronomy and May Compromise Discoveries About the Universe

Researchers from Curtin University in Australia claim that Starlink satellites are emitting unintentional radio signals that interfere with radio astronomy observations. The discovery was published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics and represents the largest study ever conducted on low-frequency emissions from satellites.

The survey was conducted by the International Center for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) and analyzed data from over 1,800 Starlink satellites, part of a fleet that already exceeds 7,000 units in low orbit. According to the scientists, up to 30% of the astronomical images analyzed showed interference signals, making it difficult to capture extremely weak radio waves from deep space.

What the Study Found

The researchers detected 112,000 radio emissions coming from SpaceX satellites, many of which were in frequencies that should be protected for exclusive radio astronomy use. One example is the 150.8 MHz band, in which 703 satellites were identified transmitting signals, despite lacking authorization to use those bands.

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Why This Concerns Science

Radio astronomy relies on extremely quiet environments to capture subtle cosmic signals. These data are essential to answer fundamental questions about the formation of the first stars, the nature of dark matter, and the validity of theories such as Einstein’s.

Professor Steven Tingay notes that the future Square Kilometer Array (SKA) radio telescope, with structures in Australia and South Africa, will be the largest in the world and could transform our understanding of the Universe. However, to achieve this, any artificial interference must be minimized.

And SpaceX?

The researchers assert that SpaceX is not violating current regulations and maintains open dialogue to find solutions. Among the proposed discussions are technical adjustments to satellites and updates to international policies to protect frequency bands used by science.

The authors argue that it is possible to reconcile the benefits of global connectivity provided by constellations like Starlink with the preservation of scientific research, but for this, a balance between innovation and protection of the cosmos’ observation windows will be necessary.

And you, do you think satellite companies like Starlink should have stricter rules to avoid scientific interference? Or should the priority be to expand global access to the internet? Share your opinion in the comments.

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Starlink Satellites Cause Interference in Protected Bands and Force Scientists to Warn About Risks to Astronomical Research

International Study Finds That Unintentional Emissions from Satellites Interfere with Radio Astronomy and May Compromise Discoveries About the Universe

What the Study Found

Why This Concerns Science

And SpaceX?

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Starlink Satellites Cause Interference in Protected Bands and Force Scientists to Warn About Risks to Astronomical Research

International Study Finds That Unintentional Emissions from Satellites Interfere with Radio Astronomy and May Compromise Discoveries About the Universe

What the Study Found

Why This Concerns Science

And SpaceX?

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Workers were opening a modern road in Dover when they found, 6 meters below the asphalt, a 3,500-year-old boat made of stitched oak and plant fibers.

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Man built a 5-acre lake to raise bass, but after 1,000 days the project turned into a wildlife sanctuary with eagles, deer, ducks, owls, and live cameras that transformed the farm into a biodiversity laboratory.

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