SpaceX recently announced that it will perform an upgrade for its Starlink satellites. The reason behind this decision was explained as reducing the interference in the sky for the global astronomical communities.
With the next generation, the ways in which the Stalink satellites reflect sunlight as they orbit the Earth are discussed. According to SpaceX, Starlink 2.0 satellites will no longer be visible to the naked eye when they are at their standard operational altitudes. Starlink constellation satellites currently in orbit are receiving backlash from the astronomy community because they cause interference in nighttime observations due to the light they reflect.
New generation Starlink satellites reduce reflection by 10 times
SpaceX designed a mirror film for the next generation Starlink satellites to solve the problems. This film aims to scatter most of the sunlight, making the satellites much less visible than Earth. According to the document published by SpaceX, the new film is 10 times more effective than the film aimed at preventing reflection on current generation satellites.
It may rain from space
In addition, it is said that darker materials will be used in satellites to reduce reflection. Darker colors will be preferred in the paint of the satellites. SpaceX also announced that it will change the position of Starlink satellites during the twilight zone to make them less reflective, using 25% extra power for this.
SpaceX will work with other satellite companies
Although SpaceX has taken a step towards reducing reflection in the next generation Starlink satellites, it will continue to work on this issue. Of course, SpaceX isn’t the only company offering satellite internet. There are different rival companies that aim to send thousands of satellites to orbit for this purpose. For example, Amazon will launch its own satellites in its project called Project Kuiper. On the other hand, SpaceX says it will sell this anti-reflection technology it has developed to other rival companies. Of course, it is not yet clear whether there will be cooperation with Amazon. At the same time, we will see how well the new technology works in the coming periods.
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