Where is the 'dark and quiet night sky'? [Now in space]
It's exponential. The number of artificial satellites is rapidly increasing. There are growing voices that we must find solutions now for the light pollution and atmospheric environmental pollution they are causing. Before it's too late.
There is even a sense of crisis that the light from artificial satellites could dominate the Earth's atmosphere instead of the starlight in the night sky.
Even if we compare the number of currently operating satellites by period, the rapid increase is steep. In May 2019, there were about 2,200 artificial satellites. In November 2023, it increased to 6,800. It has tripled in four years. It
will exceed 10,000 by the end of September 2024, and as of the end of 2024, the total number of artificial satellites will be about 13,000. There are about 30,000 trackable space debris (junk).
The number of satellites is rapidly increasing over time. [Photo = Provided by Dr. Hwang Na-rae]
The future is a bigger problem. The number of applications for satellite frequency allocation received by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) under the UN exceeded 1 million as of 2024. This is a procedure to allocate frequencies in advance before launching satellites. Of course, not all of these applications will lead to launches.
It is expected that the number of satellites (approximately 13,000) will increase by at least 10 times over the next 10 years. The Earth's atmosphere is facing a situation where satellites are causing 'congestion, not traffic jams.'
The International Astronomical Union expressed concern about this reality and established the 'IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Skies from Satellite Constellation Interference (IAU CPS).' The inauguration ceremony of the Guardian Center was held at the International Astronomical Union General Assembly (IAU GA) held in Busan in August 2022.
The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) officially adopted the agenda item "Dark and Silent Skies, Astronomy and Large Satellite Constellations, Emerging Issues and Challenges" as an agenda item of the Science and Technology Subcommittee (STSC) in June
of last year. On the 6th, I met with Dr. Hwang Na-rae of the Large Telescope Project Group at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, who is attending as a member of the Korean delegation. Dr. Hwang explained, "As the number of operating satellites increases, the number of satellites that are 'decommissioned' through reentry into the atmosphere also increases," and "Experts are beginning to worry that metal particles such as aluminum and lithium will gradually accumulate in the upper atmosphere, leading to upper atmosphere pollution."
He also pointed out that "tiny fine metal particles created when satellites break apart can affect the amount of sunlight received by the Earth," and "fine metal particles can scatter sunlight, affecting the brightness of the night sky across the Earth and causing light pollution when observing stars."
Starlight observed at the Blanco Observatory in Chile. You can see the obstruction of the satellite light that extends diagonally in the middle. [Photo = Blanco Observatory]
The following is a Q&A with Dr. Hwang.
- I am curious about the background of raising the DQS (Dark and Quiet Skies) voice.
"It is a very important issue as an astronomer. I am currently in charge of the Ground-Based Optical Observation Facility Working Group of the Long-Term Development Planning Committee of the Korean Astronomical Society. As an individual living in the 21st century Newspace era, I also felt that I should not let future generations live in an era where the space environment is polluted due to space development.
Based on the spirit of 'Astronomy for All,' I believe that regardless of whether you are poor or rich, you have the right to go out to your backyard at night, look up at the night sky, appreciate it, and think about astronomy. I think that protecting DQS is to protect these basic rights of all mankind."
- I want to know how serious the light pollution caused by satellites is currently.
"I think that astrophotographers are already feeling the serious impact of satellites. The same goes for meteor shower observers. Even astronomical observatories for professional astronomical observations are affected, and even the Hubble Space Telescope is affected.
In the case of radio telescopes, there are reports of radio interference (interference) due to Starlink in observation facilities (such as LOFAR) that are currently being operated experimentally, such as the SKA currently under construction in South Africa and Australia."
Dr. Hwang Na-rae said, "The primary goal is to find and disseminate technical solutions (best practices) that can operate satellites while properly protecting DQS." [Photo=Reporter Jeong Jong-oh]
- What specific action plan does the International Astronomical Union have for DQS?
"At the IAU CPS level, the minimum DQS level required for astronomical research was defined and basic guidelines were announced on what level the brightness of satellites should be to achieve this.
The CPS is contacting satellite operators to discuss what astronomers require and how satellite operators can technically implement this."
- Are officials from Korea, including Dr. Hwang, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Space Administration, participating?
"As an astronomer, I thought it was my job to maintain the operational efficiency of the giant ground-based optical observatory that South Korea is currently operating and will build in the future.
South Korea also participated in revealing its basic policy of agreeing to and supporting DQS protection in principle. In the future, along with introducing policies related to DQS protection, we would like to help connect new space industry opportunities with new technological innovations, and contribute to reducing domestic light pollution even a little by making the general public more aware of the importance of the night sky."
- How large is SpaceX's Starlink currently? It is expected that more than 40,000 will be launched in the future. Is this a serious situation?
"There are currently about 7,000 Starlink satellites. It is expected to increase to about 10,000 soon. It is already serious and will get more serious. In addition to Starlink, Europe (such as OneWeb), China, and South Korea are also planning to launch and operate large satellite constellations of a similar concept.
As explained earlier, as of the first half of 2024, the number of applications for satellite frequency allocation received by the ITU exceeded 1 million. Experts are concerned that within the next 10 years, there will be at least 10 times more satellites flying over our heads than there are now (approximately 13,000), and that the problem will only get worse."
- What procedures are needed for DQS to evolve from a campaign to an international norm?
"Satellites and the resulting DQS issues do not respect national borders. Naturally, no single country can solve this problem alone. This is an area that requires an international joint solution.
UN COPUOS is working to come up with an internationally acceptable solution."
- Are you preparing for a process that will expand the scope of this issue beyond the IAU to the UN?
"UN COPUOS is set to address it as an official agenda item for 2025-2029. It seems likely that international guidelines or norms will be created through these discussions."
- I am curious about each country's policies or goals related to DQS.
"It varies from country to country, but I think the goal will be to find an appropriate balance between satellite technology, natural science research, cultural heritage, and (space) environmental protection.
The first step is to find and distribute technical solutions (best practices) that can operate satellites while properly protecting DQS."
- It must be related to the space debris issue. Please tell me how you plan to deal with it.
"Satellite clusters are the main culprit that worsens the space debris issue. In order to maintain the size of the satellite cluster, a certain number of satellites must continue to be launched into orbit to maintain the total number.
Satellites that have reached the end of their lifespan are re-entered into the atmosphere and incinerated, but debris can remain during the launch process or the re-entry process. This is causing an increase in space debris. This has raised concerns about the possibility of heavy metal contamination in the upper atmosphere."
- Will DQS be established as a regulation in the NewSpace era?
"I think DQS is not in conflict with the NewSpace era, but rather serves as a basic guideline to correctly set and maintain the development direction of the NewSpace era.
In terms of the space industry represented by NewSpace, it is seen that new space industry opportunities are created due to DQS, and there will be competition among advanced space industries to take the lead."
- Won't there be opposition from private space companies?
"Basically, companies pursue profit generation, and historically, there have been many cases where companies that were focused only on profit neglected environmental protection or social welfare protection.
It is important to establish policy guidelines so that such historical mistakes are not repeated in the era of space development. Basically, space companies also understand the spirit of DQS in terms of protecting the space environment.
DQS protection can also be a window of opportunity for new space companies to emerge. It is one of the many challenges that must be overcome in order to advance into space, and it is reasonable to view it as a problem that must be naturally considered and studied to find a solution."
- It seems that private companies cannot be controlled by the recommendations of the UN or IAU alone. Each country will have to regulate this by enacting related laws, but I wonder if this trend will continue.
"Ultimately, I think it is highly likely that it will be introduced as a legal system and regulation of each major country. For example, there is a possibility that regulations will be put in place to require that satellite constellations that provide internet communications meet "zero debris" requirements and certain level requirements related to DQS in order to serve the markets of those countries."
Dr. Hwang Na-rae pointed out that "fine metal particles can scatter sunlight, affecting the brightness of the entire night sky across the globe and causing light pollution when observing stars." [Photo=Reporter Jeong Jong-oh]
- It seems important to build a global consensus.
"The DQS issue is not just a problem for astronomers. Only by maintaining DQS can we detect near-Earth objects approaching Earth in a timely manner. It is a necessary condition not only for appreciating the beauty of the night sky but also for ensuring the safety of everyone living on Earth.
The space agency's International Cooperation Officer and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' International Science and Technology Norms Division are participating in UN COPUOS activities. We will create a global consensus by discussing and participating together."
Meanwhile, COPUOS will begin discussions at the Science and Technology Subcommittee (STSC) meeting in February this year on the following: △sharing each country's response to satellite constellations such as Starlink, △seeking the best solution that can be applied internationally, △establishing guidelines for the peaceful use of space, △sharing activity information and solidarity with the United Nations Telecommunications Union (ITU).
Dr. Hwang said, "Korea is a place where the night sky is well-protected, and in 2015, Yeongyang International Dark-Sky Park was the first in Asia to be designated," and recommended, "Visiting a dark sky park and thinking about the need for DQS is one way to develop space for the universal benefit of humanity."
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