SpaceX's Starlink Satellites Are Leaking More Radio Waves Than Ever

2 years ago by just_another_person to c/science

"This problem is becoming increasingly worse."

linearchaos 7 points 2 years ago

If they're still using the same frequency bands as before, would this really have a much greater impact? I would think that, for radio astronomy, even a small amount of radio interference could make those bands unusable. A one-watt signal from 100 miles away would have the same effect as a six-watt signal, easily overwhelming the faint signals we're detecting from light years away.

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JaumeI 33 points 2 years ago

First paragraph...

Satellite swarms orbiting the Earth are leaking more radiation into protected wavelength bands than ever.

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linearchaos 1 point 2 years ago

Well it certainly sounds like they can do a better job It only using the intended frequencies. I wonder if they're cheaping out on hardware doesn't seem like their MO.

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piecat 20 points 2 years ago

Proper EMC requires good design, additional components, and good shielding.

Components and shielding add cost directly, but also increase weight, which is probably millions times more expensive in fuel.

I bet they cheaped out on their shielding. Especially given the volume of sats they're trying to use.

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