The agency raised the idea in a new sustainability discussion paper seeking industry feedback ahead of a potential new policy being introduced.
It’s one of eight core areas the government is seeking submissions on, including how to best embed First Nations cultural and scientific knowledge into the sector, how to reduce the risk to assets in space and how to remediate space debris.
Those wishing to submit can read the paper here and have until 8 November to respond.
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The issue of ‘quiet’ or ‘dark skies’ has become increasingly prevalent in the industry in recent years as the number of satellite launches increases exponentially.
Satellites and debris can reflect the sun and reduce the power of telescopes, effectively blocking their view of the night sky.
Larger constellations such as Starlink, meanwhile, can also impact radio astronomy through the data downlinks they need to operate.
The problem is particularly important to Australia, which is home to some of the world’s most important ground-based instruments, such as the SKA Observatory.
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“Recent studies have identified unintended emissions from satellite constellations and shown that these emissions may be detrimental to the science goals of the international SKA project without mitigation,” states the paper.
“Light pollution from increasing space activity and the rise of satellite constellations could also have cultural impacts on First Nations people to whom astronomy constitutes a central practice in their way of life and sense of being.
“Astronomy and space science are areas that could benefit from greater connections with First Nations scientific knowledge.”
The paper poses the consultation point, “Should Australian satellites contain technological solutions to reduce their impact on radio and optical astronomy? If so, what solutions would be most effective?”
It comes after Space Connect reported in March how the first of 130,000 Christmas tree-shaped antennas that will make up the SKA-Low radio telescope in WA was installed.
When complete in 2029, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Observatory will be the largest radio telescope ever built and will work in tandem with a partner observatory being built in South Africa.
Researchers hope to use it to explore the first billion years after the so-called dark ages of the Universe when the first stars and galaxies formed.
Adam Thorn
Adam is a journalist who has worked for more than 40 prestigious media brands in the UK and Australia. Since 2005, his varied career has included stints as a reporter, copy editor, feature writer and editor for publications as diverse as Fleet Street newspaper The Sunday Times, fashion bible Jones, media and marketing website Mumbrella as well as lifestyle magazines such as GQ, Woman’s Weekly, Men’s Health and Loaded. He joined Momentum Media in early 2020 and currently writes for Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
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