The founder of the giant SpaceX, Elon Musk has recently launched 60 satellites to add to the Starlink Train project. However, controversies had risen, and Musk is opting for an appropriate solution.
The satellite project is said to provide internet access even to the remotest place in the earth, and the only way possible is to install thousands of them.
Main controversy
Just last week, there were only 360 Starlink satellites in the earth’s orbit but concerned individuals have spoken out. SpaceX’s ultimate goal is to install 42,000 orbiting satellites to ensure that Starlink project will deliver access to the internet from the US to Antarctica.
The community of astronomers has called out the attention of Elon Musk for the reason that the satellites will impact the accuracy of their data. The satellites produce too many bright lights which will only make it hard for astronomers to do astronomical observation.
Successful deployment of 60 Starlink satellites confirmed pic.twitter.com/h3e6QmKRue
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 22, 2020
On the other hand, the environmentalists are more concerned with the effect of the installation of the space environment. The possible collision of the Starlink trains will produce the Kessler Syndrome.
The high rate of pollution caused by the satellites will cause a chain reaction of a collision of objects in space. The result will be the destruction of life itself.
Elon Musk offers a solution to the Starlink controversy
Although Elon Musk had assured the astronomical community that the Starlink satellites will not be a threat to the astronomical observation, the consistent bright lights will only create artificial points of light.
In response, Elon Musk will take necessary steps and corrective measures to address the problem. SpaceX is now running a series of experiments to produce darkened satellites instead of the bright white ones.
When and where have the citizens of earth been asked for permission to launch starlink @elonmusk ?! GLOBAL blanket of satellite radiation plus a fake night sky WTF?! pic.twitter.com/lJKazPwNZZ
— Mateo Gold (@mgoldm) April 19, 2020
Furthermore, the satellites will reduce the bright lights once the solar panels have been positioned at different angles.
Broadband beta testing for internet access to start soon
With the successful installation of the satellites, SpaceX has already installed 400 flying routers in space. Musk announced on Wednesday,
“private beta” test of the service will begin in about three months, followed by a public beta about three months later for testers at northern latitudes.
With the demand for internet access due to the coronavirus pandemic, Musk will increase the number of satellites to generate cheaper, low latency broadband across the planet.
It appears that Musk will first provide the service to Germany to northern Europe, Canada, and most of the US. Moreover, the increasing concern of the astronomers and scientists will have to be addressed by Elon Musk.
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