The number of artificial satellites could exceed 60,000 by 2030, the majority being from SpaceX, severely affecting astronomical observations.

The published analysis in the journal Nature warns that this expansion will hinder astronomical observations, affecting up to 96% of scientific photographs. Starlink satellites, which orbit at an altitude of 550 km, generate bright trails that can compromise the quality of images captured by telescopes. In a scenario with a million satellites, images could have over 160 satellite trails. Experts emphasize that the proliferation of satellites will lead to fewer discoveries and lower quality images, affecting our knowledge of the Universe. Additionally, the risks include confusing satellites with dangerous asteroids and difficulties in detecting important cosmic phenomena.