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Astronomers will now see fewer SpaceX satellites when observing the sky. After several years of complaints from scientists about the high reflectivity of the company’s Internet satellite constellation,
Astronomers will now see fewer SpaceX satellites when observing the sky. After several years of complaints from scientists about the high reflectivity of the company’s Internet satellite constellation, SpaceX began using a new “mirror film” that scatters light from Earth.
Last week, SpaceX showcased the new specular coating for the first time by launching 22 new Starlink V2 satellites aboard its Falcon 9 rocket. A previously released clip shows a highly reflective dielectric mirror film covering the satellites. It seems counterintuitive that adding a mirror coating to satellites would make them less visible from the ground, but that’s exactly what Starlink claims.
Last night’s video @Starlink satellite distribution pic.twitter.com/K7ezZLLusz
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 16, 2023
SpaceX says it has been working on this film, which acts as a Bragg mirror, also known as a distributed Bragg reflector, for the last few years. It consists of several layers of plastic with different refractive indices. This creates interference patterns that scatter light but transmit radio waves. SpaceX also coated some parts of the satellites with black paint, which has a poor ability to absorb light.
SpaceX designed its Starlink satellites to be cheap and easily replaceable, but versions that are more visible to astronomers will remain in orbit for years. Some existing satellites have “visors” to reduce reflection, but SpaceX has never been happy with this solution because it increases atmospheric drag after launch.
Starlink is currently the only satellite megaarray, but other companies such as Amazon plan to launch their own versions.
Source: Port Altele
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