Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Starlink Project
Why in the News?
Starlink satellites, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, are causing issues for astronomers by disrupting both optical and radio astronomy due to unintended electromagnetic radiation (UEMR).
What is a Starlink Satellite?
- Starlink satellites are part of a network created by Elon Musk’s SpaceX to provide high-speed internet to remote areas around the world.
- The network, known as a satellite constellation, currently includes more than 6,300 satellites orbiting Earth at around 550 km altitude.
- These satellites aim to offer internet connectivity to places that would otherwise lack access, especially in rural or underserved regions.
Why Radio Astronomy matters?
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What Starlink does to Space Communications?
- Starlink satellites are designed to improve global internet access, especially in hard-to-reach places, by transmitting signals from space.
- However, these satellites also emit unintended electromagnetic radiation (UEMR), which causes radio noise that disrupts radio astronomy observations.
- The situation may worsen as more satellites are launched — some estimates suggest 100,000 satellites could be orbiting Earth by 2030.
- There are currently no regulations controlling how much radio pollution these satellites can emit, making it harder for astronomers to mitigate the impact on their work.
PYQ:[2011] A layer in the Earth s atmosphere called Ionosphere facilitates radio communication. Why? 1. The presence of ozone causes the reflection of radio waves to Earth. 2. Radio waves have a very long wavelength. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
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