Loading...
Skip to Content

SatCons 101


— An IAU CPS Training Series

The SatCons 101 activity aims to promote factual understanding of large satellite constellations in order to help participants come to reasoned and informed opinions about this important social and technological issue. Satcons 101 is a series of learning modules covering 8 broad subject areas. Each module is a short, self-contained video presentation covering one of the subject areas. They can be viewed individually or in any combination up to the full set. Viewing all 8 presentations constitutes exposure to the complete Satcons 101 curriculum.

The curriculum here is intended to be fact-based and unbiased, while acknowledging instances in which the details are controversial or where differences of opinion exist. Anyone completing this curriculum should have a solid foundation of knowledge with which to understand the issue in broad terms and discuss it in an informed fashion.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing this curriculum, one should:

  1. Know the fundamentals of Earth-orbiting satellite operations
  2. Understand the design and intent of large satellite constellations
  3. Have a basic introduction to the International regulations on space use and the radio spectrum
  4. Be able to identify the main anticipated impacts of large satellite constellations on astronomy and the environment
  5. Be familiar with some basic mitigation techniques
  6. Be aware of basic information on specific constellations that have already been launched, as well as on constellations that have just started to launch or have been approved

Credits
Coordination: John Barentine (Community Engagement Hub co-lead, Dark Sky Consulting, LLC)
Editing support: Jessica Heim (Community Engagement Hub co-lead, University of Southern Queensland)
Technical support: NOIRLab’s Communication, Education & Engagement team

Module 1: Satellite Basics

Learn about the fundamentals of satellites, including the history of their use, the reasons why satellites are launched, and their operational life cycles. The video describes the basic functional elements of satellites and the challenges of operating them in the harsh environment of space, as well as the kinds of orbits they inhabit. It also provides information on the ways that satellites can fail.

Credit:

IAU CPS/NOIRLab/SKAO

Module 2: Satellite Constellation Design and Operation

In this module, the theory of satellite constellations — coordinated groups of satellites with a collective function — is presented. Examples of both large and small constellations are given along with details of their uses for both communications and non-communications purposes. Uses are suggested for both military and civilian applications.

Credit:

IAU CPS/NOIRLab/SKAO

Module 3: Impacts on the Earth/Space Environment

The various effects of the processes by which satellites are launched, operated and de-orbited is explored in this module. It traces the effects on the environment from launch and ascent through the atmosphere to re-entry and disposal. Failure of satellites in space and damage to them through collisions is discussed, along with the resulting hazards associated with the generation of space debris.

Credit:

IAU CPS/NOIRLab/SKAO

Module 4: Impacts to Optical/IR Astronomy

This is the first of two SatCons 101 modules describing the impacts of the operation of large satellite constellations on astronomy. In this module, the effects on optical and infrared astronomy in particular are presented. Examples are provided, including the presence of bright streaks in astronomical images; how satellites can affect spectroscopic observations; and the tendency of satellites and space debris to raise the diffuse brightness of the night sky. Lastly, it considers how thermal radiation from satellites and debris can harm infrared astronomy.

Credit:

IAU CPS/NOIRLab/SKAO

Module 5: Impacts on Radio Astronomy

This second of two SatCons 101 modules describing the impacts of the operation of large satellite constellations on astronomy considers effects of satellites on the operation of radio telescopes. Topics presented include how access to the radio frequency spectrum is allocated; the phenomenon of radio frequency interference; and how the properties of radio transmitters aboard satellites can yield harmful interference to radio telescopes.

Credit:

IAU CPS/NOIRLab/SKAO

Module 6: Impacts on Biology, Culture and Heritage

The presence of large numbers of satellites in orbit around the Earth has effects beyond their impacts to astronomy. This module discusses the cultural significance of night skies and how the presence of many bright, moving objects in our skies presents a challenge to communities that access the night sky for recreation, tourism and/or religious practice. It raises concerns about the lack of consultation with these groups in making decisions that affect the appearance of the night sky, and it presents emerging research results suggesting that satellites may even impact the activities of some wildlife species.

Credit:

IAU CPS/NOIRLab/SKAO

Module 7: Legal and Policy Aspects

This module reviews the international legal framework governing the human use of outer space and the ways in which national and international laws govern the deployment and operation of satellites. It explores the way in which existing environmental laws may interact with space activities; asks whether outer space is a legal 'commons'; and considers ways in which the rights of all users of space under the law may be preserved with the goal of promoting safe and sustainable space operations.

Credit:

IAU CPS/NOIRLab/SKAO

Module 8: Mitigations

In this module of SatCons 101, information is provided on how astronomers and commercial space operators are seeking solutions that limit the negative effects of large satellite constellations on astronomical observations. Mitigations described include accurately predicting satellite positions; image processing techniques that can 'back-correct' for the presence of satellite trails in images; altering the properties of satellites to make them less conspicuous; and the rapid and efficient disposal of satellites at the end of their service lives to prevent generating orbital debris.

Credit:

IAU CPS/NOIRLab/SKAO

Contact

Share your feedback and content

Call Us
+33 1 43 25 83 58
Address
98-bis Blvd Arago, F–75014 Paris
Email
info@cps.iau.org