Satellite expansion drives push to curb radio interference - Punch Newspapers

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.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google Satellites can reflect sunlight towards Earth, leaving bright streaks across astronomical images. Their onboard electronics can also produce unwanted electromagnetic radiation that can interfere with the weak radio signals astronomers are trying to detect. The issue has been placed on the agenda for the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference, WRC-27, where countries will consider measures to protect radio astronomy and other scientific systems from satellite interference. The experts highlighted two WRC-27 agenda items. Agenda item 1.16 focuses on protecting radio astronomy from combined interference caused by non-geostationary satellite constellations, while agenda item 1.18 deals with unwanted emissions affecting radio astronomy and passive Earth-observation sensors above 76 gigahertz. Operators demand upper 6GHz to ease network congestion congestion Minister reiterates FG’s push for nationwide fibre expansion Bosun Tijani steps down from ITU Deputy Secretary-General race The astronomical community stepped up its engagement with the ITU after the first Starlink satellites were launched in 2019, according to the experts. Astronomical organisations have also joined international discussions on protecting what they describe as the world’s “dark and quiet skies,” where scientific observations can be made with minimal interference. The International Astronomical Union, SKA Observatory and the United States National Science Foundation’s National Optical and Infrared Laboratory established the IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Skies, which has since been joined by the European Southern Observatory. The experts said the astronomy community was working with satellite companies to find ways to reduce the impact of satellites rather than opposing the growth of space services. Some satellite operators have introduced measures such as changing the position of satellites and solar panels and using special mirrors to reduce the amount of sunlight reflected towards Earth. They said continued cooperation between astronomers, satellite operators and regulators would be needed as satellite numbers increase. Justice Okamgba Justice has over three years experience spanning digital and print media. At The PUNCH, he currently covers the automobile sector with special interest in features and industry analysis.

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