Astronomers could lose their view of the cosmos because of satellites

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 2, 2026

The European Southern Observatory warns that the planned launch of over 1.7 million satellites, primarily by SpaceX, will severely disrupt astronomical observations and significantly brighten the night sky. This surge threatens to obscure critical telescope images, impact ecosystems through increased light pollution, and challenges regulatory bodies like the US FCC to balance technological progress with environmental and scientific concerns.

A surge in planned satellite launches could severely undermine astronomers’ ability to observe the night sky, according to a new study by the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The report warns that proposals to deploy more than 1.7 million satellites, led chiefly by SpaceX, may overwhelm current observations and drastically alter the appearance of the night sky.

The ongoing expansion of satellite constellations has already seen over 14,000 objects in orbit, with SpaceX’s Starlink accounting for a significant majority. Elon Musk’s company aims to launch an additional one million satellites to support emerging global demands for space-based data centers, particularly related to artificial intelligence.

The ESO study highlights that, alongside SpaceX’s constellation, other satellite projects such as E-Space’s Cinnamon and China’s CTC-1 and CTC-2 plans will contribute to a dramatic rise in orbiting objects. Collectively, these could rival or even surpass the number of stars visible to the naked eye from Earth.

Increasing concerns also stem from the brightness of satellites. US startup Reflect Orbital plans to deploy 50,000 large, mirror-like satellites by 2035. Designed to provide artificial nighttime illumination across approximately 5 kilometers of Earth's surface, these satellites could appear up to four times brighter than the full Moon. Proposed applications include extending solar farm production hours, lighting remote industrial or disaster response locations, and aiding agricultural operations. The presence of such bright satellites could make the night sky three to four times brighter on a global scale.

The study details significant impacts on astronomical observations, particularly at ESO’s Very Large Telescope at Paranal Observatory in Chile. Within two hours of nightfall, images taken by the facility could be marred by dozens of satellite trails, potentially obscuring as much as 28 percent of the camera’s field of view. The full deployment of Reflect Orbital’s illuminated satellites could render such images unusable.

Beyond the impact on astronomy, the study raises concerns about satellite light pollution affecting biological rhythms and ecosystems. The US Federal Communications Commission is currently reviewing applications from SpaceX and Reflect Orbital but has not announced a timetable for a decision.

Olivier Hainaut, the leading author and ESO astronomer, stated, “Until now we have managed, but it’s getting worse.” The findings underscore growing tensions between technological advances in satellite deployment and the preservation of dark skies critical for scientific research and environmental health.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.