Starlink’s South African Dilemma

As Elon Musk's Starlink gears up to launch its services in South Africa, astronomers are ringing alarm bells over the potential chaos its low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites could unleash on critical radio telescopes. The Square Kilometre Array (SKA-Mid), nestled in the serene Karoo region, stands as a beacon of radio astronomy, but it may soon find its vital mission compromised.

A Battle for Cosmic Clarity

Operating within a delicate frequency range of 350 MHz to 15.4 GHz, the SKA is key for capturing faint radio signals from the cosmos. Unfortunately, these frequencies overlap with Starlink’s operational bands, seriously jeopardizing the clarity astronomers need to unveil the secrets of the universe. "It's like shining a spotlight into our eyes, drowning out those faint cosmic whispers," emphasizes Federico Di Vruno, a leading voice in the fight to preserve our night skies.

Regulations Under Fire