--- title: "Astronomers Call for Regulation of SpaceX Starlink Satellites" description: "The International Astronomical Union (IAU), an association made up of more than 12,000 members from across the globe, released a statement regarding concerns over SpaceX's new Starlink satellite initiative." date: "2019-06-03" modified: "2019-06-03" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/astronomers-regulation-spacex-starlink-satellites" categories: - "Space" - "SpaceX" tags: - "satellites" - "SpaceX" - "starlink" - "the digest" --- # Astronomers Call for Regulation of SpaceX Starlink Satellites ![The International Astronomical Union (IAU), an association made up of more than 12,000 members from across the globe, released a statement regarding concerns over SpaceX's new Starlink satellite initiative.]() *\Image: SpaceX/Victor Tangermann\* ## Bright Star The International Astronomical Union (IAU), an association made up of more than 12,000 astronomy professionals from across the globe, released a statement calling for the regulation of satellite constellation efforts — including SpaceX's Starlink initiative. The news comes after SpaceX launched [the first 60]() of some 12,000 planned low-Earth orbit satellites last month — but the unusually low altitude of their obit had [some astronomers worried]() that they would interfere with space exploration efforts. ## Radio Interference The [IAU statement]() raises two concerns. The first is that the reflective metal used on the Starlink satellites could reflect the Sun and "make them appear as slow-moving dots in the night sky" — which could mess with data collected by telescopes back on the ground, whether they can be spotted by the naked eye or not. The second is that radio signals from the satellites could "threaten astronomical observations at radio wavelengths." "Recent advances in radio astronomy, such as producing the first image of a black hole or understanding more about the formation of planetary systems, were only possible through concerted efforts in safeguarding the radio sky from interference," read the statement. As a result, the IAU calls for agencies to "devise a regulatory framework" to make sure future scientific efforts are not thwarted by similar satellite projects. **READ MORE:** [Astronomy group calls for urgent action on SpaceX Starlink satellites]() \[*New Scientist*\] **More on Starlink:** *[SpaceX's Starlink Satellites Could Make Space a Minefield]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()