NASA warns SpaceX is not listening. Another 48 Starlink satellites were launched

We regularly hear about the problem generated by the Starlink satellites and the threat they can bring as their numbers increase in orbit. Recently, even the American NASA agency has voiced its opinion, but even despite the rather sharp message, Elon Musk’s SpaceX company launched another 48 Starlink satellites on Wednesday, March 9, aboard the Falcon 9 rocket.

48 Starlink satellites recently entered orbit. SpaceX did not care for NASA

Starlinki is, to some extent, a double-edged sword. On the one hand, its usefulness can be seen especially in Ukraine, where it provides Internet access to the injured, and this is only an outline of the general possibilities of this system. On the other hand, satellites in orbit are already causing problems with their number, which in the event of a catastrophe will generate a whole bunch of tiny debris of space debris that will take the threat to a whole new level.

NASA, however, warned about another problem, because these satellites could make it difficult for the scientific community to detect a potentially catastrophic asteroid heading towards Earth. In fact, in February, the US space agency submitted a five-page letter to the Federal Communications Commission detailing why it opposes SpaceX’s plans to launch more than 30,000 Starlink satellites.

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In short? According to NASA specialists, “an increase in this number of satellites (…) carries additional risks [wspomnianych] collisions that generate space debris on the basis of the number of objects alone ”. Additionally, the Starlinks themselves are said to have a negative impact on “our planet’s ability to detect and possibly redirect a potentially catastrophic impact.”