EXPERTS warned that Musk’s massive plan to send more satellites into space could result in a deadly plane crash.
The world’s wealthiest man would like to send more than 40,000 SpaceX satellites with internet beaming into low-Earth orbit.
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Starlink has permission to launch 12,000, but the firm submitted paperwork in 2019 for an additional 30,000.
SpaceX is home to over 3,000 pilots, and has been an important tool in Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
However, astronomers are concerned that satellites by Musk (51), as well as many other companies vying for space could overtake low Earth orbit.
They believe that an overcrowded area increases the likelihood of collisions. This could result in debris falling to Earth.
According to Andy Lawrence, Regius Professor of Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, it should be able to burn as it moves through the atmosphere. However, even the smallest piece could bring down a plane.
“It’s going to happen some time,”He told Central Recorder.
“There are so many pieces of junk that something is going to hit a flight and 300 people will be dead if we don’t take extra care.
“They claim that they have AI algorithms to avoid collisions and that they make sure that old satellites are destroyed, so we need to believe them that it works every time.
“If there’s something that doesn’t burn completely on its way down, then it’s raining.
“Things move very fast in orbit. Even small things can be deadly.
“So something the size of a pedal, it hits a plane on the way down, that plane’s gone.”
Professor Lawrence, who last year published a book called Losing The Sky on the subject, stated that he and others do not advocate for Musk’s satellite launches to be stopped.
“Mostly I’m saying, for God’s sake, slow down, let’s do some proper studies, let’s figure out how to do this so we can all share the sky,”He elaborated.
“The FCC – Federal Communications Commission – in the US, if they approve it, it’s very hard to stop it any other way.”
Astronomers noticed an increase in images that are ruined by satellites.
Recent photos by the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh were shared by an amateur group. They show satellite streaks scattered across the images.
Central Recorder heard Mark Phillips, President of the Society, say that we could have a view for an ending to his presidency “artificial sky”Continue to do so.
“Before the Starlinks went up you’d expect the occasional satellite going over, with the Starlinks up now that’s got considerably worse,”He said.
“Some of the projects we work on, the professionals rely on amateurs to provide the data because we can do it all the time.”
“Even with some of the mitigating factors they’re trying to do, making the satellites darker and less reflective… our amateur telescopes are incredible sensitive.”
Musk agreed to his pleas. “please hold back, wait until we’ve all done the studies and let’s find the best way to do this together”.
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