Satellite expansion drives push to curb radio interference

The growing number of satellites is driving a new push to protect radio astronomy from interference, as scientists increasingly struggle to study faint signals from distant objects in the universe. Spectrum Manager at the SKA Observatory and Vice-Chair of ITU-R Working Party 7D, Federico Di Vruno, and Professor Emeritus of Astrophysics at the University of Padua, Piero Benvenuti, raised these concerns in an article published on the International Telecommunication Union website. Radio astronomy uses large telescopes to detect radio waves naturally produced by stars, galaxies, black holes and other objects in space. The experts said the rapid growth of large satellite constellations, particularly those operating in low-Earth orbit, was changing the conditions under which astronomers observe the universe. They said hundreds of satellites could now be visible from almost any part of the world, with the growing number creating challenges for both optical and radio astronomy.