Foe117 t1_j5n3pge wrote on January 24, 2023 at 4:08 AM

The vast majority of astronomical research programs at optical wavelengths only begin well after twilight, when the sky reaches its darkest levels. Hunting for an elusive quasar or measuring the distances of high-redshift galaxies takes place long after any Starlink satellite can still be seen via the sunlight reflecting off it. SpaceX has already been experimenting with finding the best Mitigation techniques with their Starlink Satellites since May of 2019, first starting with paint, coatings, etc, and now are planning to install mirrors to mask themselves completely with the next generation satellites.

CompetitiveYou2034 t1_j5o2b4c wrote on January 24, 2023 at 11:05 AM

If nothing else, momentarily passing in front of objects causes them to apparently blink, or at least lose a few photons..

Will have to take into account the starlink orbital locations database, identifying each starlink satellite with it's orbital parameters and masking version.

Ground based observations will become harder with increasing #s of starlink types in near orbit, from multiple countries.

SpaceX can gain good will by providing an "offset" by reduced launch costs to higher orbits of astronomical sensors.