The new strategy has yielded positive results: the number of sunlit satellites visible in images from the observatory in Chile has decreased by almost 60%.
With the increase in the number of Starlink satellites, astronomers have expressed concerns about their impact on space observations—Starlink satellites reflect sunlight, leading to bright streaks in astronomical images. This makes it difficult to observe celestial objects, especially in the optical range. Astronomers also fear that the increasing number of satellites could lead to difficulties in tracking and identifying objects in space, including potentially hazardous asteroids and comets.
Over the next year, SpaceX will continue testing and work with regulatory bodies to improve the strategy.
