---
title: "Elon Musk Says SpaceX Could Launch Orbital Observatories"
description: "In response to scientists who say SpaceX's Starlink satellites will block astronomical research, CEO Elon Musk suggested launching orbital observatories."
date: "2020-04-27"
modified: "2020-04-27"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/elon-musk-space-orbital-observatories"
categories:
  - "Elon Musk"
  - "Future Society"
  - "Science & Energy"
  - "Space"
  - "SpaceX"
  - "The Industrialists"
tags:
  - "Astronomy"
  - "elon musk"
  - "SpaceX"
  - "starlink"
  - "the digest"
---

# Elon Musk Says SpaceX Could Launch Orbital Observatories

![In response to scientists who say SpaceX's Starlink satellites will block astronomical research, CEO Elon Musk suggested launching orbital observatories.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Elon-Musk-Suggests-Launching-Orbital-Observatories-Look-Past-Starlink-Satellites.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: NASA\</em\>*

## Take Me Higher

After ongoing criticism over how bright SpaceX's Starlink satellites [appear from the ground](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/ominous-video-shows-spacex-satellites-cutting-across-sky>), Elon Musk has a new solution for how astronomers can continue their work uninterrupted.

Speaking to a committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Musk suggested that research agencies partner up with SpaceX to launch new orbital observatories even higher up than Starlink satellites orbit, *[CNET](<https://www.cnet.com/news/elon-musk-wants-to-launch-new-planet-spying-space-based-telescopes/>)*[ reports](<https://www.cnet.com/news/elon-musk-wants-to-launch-new-planet-spying-space-based-telescopes/>). That way, they'll have an unimpeded view as they scan the cosmos.

## The Rain Has Gone

Detached from the current situation, Musk's suggestion sounds like a cool, aspirational project for scientists to get behind.

"I'm very excited about a future of space-based telescopes that could be very large," Musk told the committee.

But it's a tortuous workaround given that his company, with its plan to launch [tens of thousands of satellites](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/elon-musk-starlink-network-live-six-months>), is the one [blocking astronomers' view](<https://futurism.com/scientists-spacex-satellites-threaten-astronomy-itself>) in the first place.

## Dark Shades

Presently, Musk's plan to minimize his satellites' interference on scientific research and other forms of stargazing is to equip them with sunshades to make them less reflective and appear dimmer from the ground.

"We will take further steps as needed," Musk told the committee, according to *CNET*. He seemed to suggest their concern was unjustified, adding "we'll feel a bit silly in hindsight."

**READ MORE:** [Elon Musk wants to launch new planet-spying space-based telescopes](<https://www.cnet.com/news/elon-musk-wants-to-launch-new-planet-spying-space-based-telescopes/>) \[*CNET*\]

**More on Starlink:** *[Scientists: SpaceX Satellites Threaten “Astronomy Itself”](<https://futurism.com/scientists-spacex-satellites-threaten-astronomy-itself>)*

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)