SpaceX's Starlink: Global Internet Begins; up to 42,000 Satellites Circling the Earth

[DizzyDigger]

Terrestrial based astrophotography will become a thing of the
past once they get all those little satellites zipping around the
planet.

Astrophotographers take numerous long exposure images
of an object, and then blend those frames together to form
a single image. Having these little satellites constantly zipping
through your scope, leaving odd angled streaks all over the image
irritates the hell out of someone who just invested several hours into
collecting enough photons for a great image. The streaks can be
removed (most times) in post-processing, but requires a lot of extra work.

Another 20 years and that technology will be completely outdated,
so they'll have to send up replacement satellites..of course, they've
no way to retrieve the old ones.

Between all the satellites and space junk we've left behind, in another
50 years and there won't be enough room up there to squeeze in a
greased BB.

 

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[jeff of pa]

yea was just thinking how many will be taken out during launches with all that space junk ?

10,000 may sound like nothing, but what happens when it reaches 500,000 ?

of course just like pennsylvania Power & Light has to Share it's Equipment with Competition.
Eventually Competitors may decide to Launch their Own.
Especially Places like China where they Censor

 

[TommyJ]

Although I live in a very rural area, we are lucky enough to have
an updated cable tv system including high-speed Internet. I've
got Directv, so don't need the tv, but do pay handsomely for
the HS Internet.

Ran the test and I got 76Mbps download, and 6.5 Mbps upload.

I think within the next 10 years a more profitable Internet will be delivered in places like yours. At the moment, everyone is discussing only one project, because it is advertised. And in particular, they insist on it, as a free (!) Project for people. But with the emergence of new players in this market, I see it as more promising that a businessman will appear in every locality who will launch his satellites. And will provide people with services at reasonable prices. Space companies providing the ability to launch private satellites are now mushrooming after rain. And every year the launch price will decrease

 

[Fat]

I like to sky watch. Just a couple nights ago I saw the “pearl strand” (my definition).15 or more UFOs? trailing the leader, in a pattern that is very recognizable and shiny like ISS or other space junk.
It was on the same trajectory that I see the ISS best and longest. South west to North east. Because of the natural topography, its always just past my shoulder and I seem to looksee that way out if habit or something because I do get such a thrill to spot this kind of thing. I have a smart machine that has a tool to help me schedule too.
I couldn’t get camera to capture the moment but Utube it and Yes thats what I witnessed.

 

[TommyJ]

I have seen a lot of fans observing the night sky. But not so often there are those who enjoy observing man-made objects in space. Man, I hope we live long enough to see significant progress in this area. The pace of progress is now amazing.
There are a lot of new space companies.
I recently read UK space news and learned about Skyrora