EPISODE · Dec 27, 2019 · 42 MIN
55: The Starlink Controversy
from syzygy · host Chris Stewart
Help us make Syzygy even better! Tell your friends and give us a review, or show your support on Patreon: patreon.com/syzygypodSyzygy is produced by Chris Stewart and co-hosted by Dr Emily Brunsden from the Department of Physics at the University of York.On the web: syzygy.fm | Twitter: @syzygypodThings we talked about in this episode:SpaceX’s StarlinkSome good articles about the issue: Forbes, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, Space.comForbes article on some ways Starlink could be made betterOfficial statements from the International Astronomical Union, the International Dark Sky Association, and the National Radio Astronomy ObservatoryChange.org petition about Starlink
What this episode covers
SpaceX are doing amazing work on the spaceflight and technology stuff, but they could use a bit of work on their consultation and collaboration skills. Starlink, their satellite constellation program designed to bring broadband to the globe via tens of thousands of tiny communications satellites, will increase the number of shiny objects orbiting the Earth by a factor of ten. That's a big issue for astronomers, and they're pretty upset about it. But it's bigger than that. This is about who owns the sky, whether our view of the universe deserves protecting, and gets to have a voice in decisions like this.
NOW PLAYING
55: The Starlink Controversy
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Jun 21, 2026 ·104m
May 30, 2026 ·110m
May 6, 2026 ·139m
Apr 8, 2026 ·136m