Examples of Media hype of technical issues

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the impact of electromagnetic (EM) emissions from satellites, particularly SpaceX's Starlink, on radio astronomy. These emissions, while measurable from Earth's surface, do not violate electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations and do not qualify as electromagnetic interference (EMI). The concern arises from the potential interference with astronomical sensors operating in protected frequencies, especially as satellite constellations increase. However, the actual impact is minimal, as satellites only briefly cross the antenna beams, and signals from these nearby point sources do not correlate during interferometry.

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Sometimes a news story just isn't much of a news story without some serious spin.

In this case, the basic story is that EM emissions from the electronic circuitry on satellites is measurable from the Earth's surface and is likely to interfere with radio astronomy.
These EM emission are at low frequencies and very low power. They do not violate any EMC regulatory requirements. In fact, they don't really fall under the definitions of "EMI" or "Radiative Emissions" (although they are radiative emissions).
So, you might want to title such an article "Satellite EM emissions a problem for Radio Astronomy". But does that title really grab you?

How about this: "SpaceX's Starlink Satellites Are Leaking Radiation, Scientists Confirm"

Of course, you're thinking "Leaking Radiation", hmmm, electric shaver, laptop, auto ignition system, but certainly not Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, Fukushima. Right?
 
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What I read is that, specifically, they are leaking radiation in the protected frequencies of astronomical sensors. And it's enough to interfere with earth-based instruments. And that's a problem that will certainly get worse as we increase the constellations of sats in our skies.
 
DaveC426913 said:
What I read is that, specifically, they are leaking radiation in the protected frequencies of astronomical sensors.
The protection only extends to the immediate area of the telescope.
Since the satellites are outside those boundaries, the frequencies are not protected.
So, the satellites fall in the same category as your electric razor.
Of course, there is a valid point. As Radio Astronomy becomes more sensitive and satellites become more numerous, there is a growing resource sharing issue..
 
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Leaking? Can't you just put a lid on it?
(I bet people think this about Elon Musk all the time)
 
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I really don't think there is a problem.

The satellite will spend less than a second crossing the beam of the antenna. That is nothing new.

Satellites are nearby point sources, so signals will not correlate during interferometry.
 
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