Five new communication satellites, known as BlueBirds, have joined the growing clutter in Earth’s orbit, posing a significant threat to astronomical observations. Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Thursday at 4:52 a.m. ET, these satellites are set to become some of the brightest objects in the night sky. Each satellite boasts the largest commercial communications array ever deployed in low Earth orbit, spanning an impressive 693 square feet (64 square meters) when fully unfurled, according to AST SpaceMobile, the company behind the project.
AST SpaceMobile’s prototype satellite, deployed in late 2022, already outshines most celestial bodies, rivaling the brightness of Venus, Jupiter, and some of the brightest stars. With the addition of five more similarly sized satellites, the company continues to expand its constellation, aiming to create the first space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard cell phones. This ambitious project achieved a milestone in September 2023 with the first-ever direct satellite-to-phone 5G call using a Samsung Galaxy S22. AST SpaceMobile envisions this technology revolutionizing global connectivity and driving economic growth, according to Chairman and CEO Abel Avellan.
Thursday’s launch marks the deployment of the first commercial BlueBird satellites, with AST SpaceMobile planning a constellation of over 100. Even a single satellite possesses enough brightness to interfere with astronomical observations.
The prototype, BlueWalker 3, launched in September 2022 and unfurled its array two months later. While the company celebrated its size, astronomers expressed concerns about its impact on the night sky. A study published in Nature in October 2023 revealed that BlueWalker 3 rivaled the brightness of Procyon and Achernar, two of the ten brightest stars. Before deploying its array, the satellite had a magnitude of +3.5, making it visible to the naked eye. After deployment, its brightness increased significantly.
The newly launched BlueBirds match the prototype’s size, but future models are planned to be even larger. AST SpaceMobile has indicated that the next generation will be three and a half times larger, raising further concerns about light pollution. Currently, no regulations govern the brightness of orbiting satellites.
AST SpaceMobile isn’t alone in this space-based cellular network endeavor. SpaceX, with its ever-growing Starlink constellation, along with Amazon, OneWeb, and Lynk Global, are also competing in this field. This proliferation of large, bright satellites marks a concerning trend for astronomers, who face increasing challenges in observing the cosmos due to artificial light pollution.
These developments underscore the growing tension between technological advancement and the preservation of dark skies for scientific observation. The increasing number of bright satellites in low Earth orbit necessitates a broader discussion about responsible space utilization and the potential impact on astronomy.
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