SpaceX’s new Starlink satellites designed to connect directly to smartphones are significantly brighter than their traditional counterparts. These direct-to-cell (DTC) satellites shine nearly five times brighter in the sky, partly because they orbit at a lower altitude of 217 miles (350 kilometers) compared to regular Starlinks at 340 miles (550 kilometers).
The higher luminosity is expected to remain even after SpaceX applies brightness mitigation techniques to the DTCs. However, the satellites’ faster apparent motion and increased time in Earth’s shadow could offset some of their negative impact on astronomy observations.
SpaceX has already placed over 100 DTC satellites in low Earth orbit, with plans to operate up to 7,500 in the future. While providing connectivity to remote regions is a worthy goal, scientists are concerned about the rapid pace of satellite launches and the potential risks they pose.
The large number of satellites in orbit raises concerns about the impact on astronomy observations, as well as the risk of collisions or de-orbiting debris that could alter the chemical makeup of Earth’s atmosphere.
Source: https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-direct-to-cell-satellites-light-pollution