Is Starlink Dangerous to Humans? In the quest to provide fast and reliable internet in remote areas, Starlink has currently launched close to 5,000 satellites in space.
This number is a small percentage of the ultimate 42,000 in the long run, as the company seeks global coverage.
Like any other satellite, Starlink satellites also emit radiation and use radio frequencies to transmit data.
Given the current and expected number of Starlink satellites, the biggest question is, Is Starlink dangerous to humans? Let’s find out in the discussion below.
What Are the Harmful Effects of Starlink?
All satellite systems, such as Project Kuiper, Starlink, and OneWeb, threaten human health and lifestyle.
While SpaceX has denied this on numerous occasions, let’s find out the Starlink’s harmful effects:
Collision Threat
First, Starlink satellites are in constant motion, traveling at approximately 26600km/h.
Secondly, these satellites are many, with 12,000 already approved by the FCC, and many more to reach the ultimate 42,000.
Since other bodies exist in space, too, you can see so many artificial devices in space that may result in a collision.
If they collide, these satellites can bring harmful effects, including falling on humans and their properties.
While SpaceX categorically terms these reports as speculations, an incident has already happened in the past. Besides, experts like the European Space Agency and China Space Station have also voiced these concerns on the matter.
Spaceship collision
Radio Waves Health Concerns
As mentioned, the Stalink satellites use radio waves to communicate with your Starlink dish and the ground stations.
With the satellite number set to grow soon, you can expect these radio waves to be numerous.
What’s worse, experts say the microwaves we expect from Starlink are more powerful than the 4G network waves.
Now, when these waves fall on your skin, they can damage your tissues irreversibly, according to FCC.
However, the radio frequencies have to be high frequency to cause tissue damage.
We can only speculate as we wait for more research to know if Starlink waves can reach that extent.
A satellite dish receiving radio wave signals
Astronomical disruptions
Some experts, like astronomers and meteorological departments, work hard to ensure our universe is habitable.
To do this, they use various gadgets placed in space and others to observe the space. Given the numerous Starlink satellites in LEO, these experts may fail to read their gadgets or spot asteroids.
First, satellites have light pollution, making it hard to observe space using telescopes. Their reflective surface can also divert astronomy radio signals, sending false data.
Space Debris Increase
Space debris refers to defective and non-function artificial objects placed in space. They are mostly satellites that ceased to function yet they orbit the earth.
Accumulation of this space junk can be detrimental to human life in several ways. For example, they can collide with spacecraft and block other satellite communication signals.
Space junk illustration
Night Sky Pollution
As you may know, to some people, night sky gazing is therapeutic.
Some also observe the star constellation at night to be able to hypothesize on human behaviors.
All these bring confusion when there are so many objects like Satellites in the sky.
Climate Interference
Like many other human activities, launching Starlink satellites in orbit can hurt the earth’s climate.
For example, they release chemicals like burning aluminum, which can deplete the ozone layer, allowing harmful UV rays to the earth.
Additionally, their number can alter the global chemistry, causing global warming, among other effects.
Does SpaceX Take Steps to Mitigate These Harmful Effects
According to my research, many organizations, such as the International Astronomical Union, want Starlink to mitigate the above problems.
For example, they urge them to limit satellite launch and minimize the light emitted by their satellite.
To my surprise, Starlink has taken the following measures to comply with these demands:
- They have altered their launch schedule to limit the number of satellites launched in a given time.
- SpaceX also started coating their satellites with a dark finish to limit the brightness and the reflection.
- Finally, the company plans to set up a ground base to recall nonfunctional satellites, reducing space debris.
Conclusion
Generally, we may not know the full effect of the Starlink satellites according to the available research.
We can speculate while we wait for more in-depth studies. However, some issues, such as light pollution and collisions, are evidence of the danger we face.
We hope the company in question can take more measures to curb its satellites’ effect on human life.