NEW DELHI, July 6 — For millions of families across Asia who look up at the night sky, the view is changing. And not everyone is happy about it. Satellite constellations, led by SpaceX’s Starlink network, now number in the thousands.
The company launched its first Starlink satellites in 2019 and has since built a constellation that dominates low Earth orbit. For communities from the rice terraces of the Philippines to the highlands of Vietnam, the sight of a chain of bright lights moving silently overhead has become common.
The issue is light pollution. Astronomers and local stargazers alike have raised concerns about how these satellites are brightening our night skies. The International Astronomical Union has stepped in, setting brightness recommendations aimed at reducing the impact on both professional astronomy and the simple joy of looking up.
But there is progress. Researchers and companies are now developing solutions to make satellites less visible.
One promising approach involves ultra-black coatings that dramatically reduce how much light a satellite reflects. The coating described in development reflects only 2% of light. This is a significant step toward meeting the guidelines set by the International Astronomical Union.
For communities across the region, this matters. In many parts of Asia, the night sky holds cultural and practical significance. Fishermen in coastal villages use stars for navigation.
Farmers in rural areas rely on celestial patterns for planting seasons. And for children in cities where light pollution already dims the stars, the idea of preserving what remains of the natural sky is important.
Other major operators are also in the mix. OneWeb, which began launching its own satellites in 2019, now has a constellation of hundreds. Amazon’s Project Kuiper plans to launch thousands of its own.
The race to connect the unconnected is real, and for many remote communities across Asia, satellite internet promises to bridge the digital divide. Closer to home, the question becomes one of balance.
How do we connect the world without losing the sky above it? The development of darker satellites offers a path forward. If the ultra-black coatings prove effective across large fleets, the impact on ground-based observations could be significantly reduced.
This would be good news for observatories in places like India and Indonesia, where astronomers are already adjusting their work around satellite trails. For now, the work continues. Companies are testing materials, astronomers are tracking brightness levels, and regulators are watching closely.
What it means for people across the region is a future where connectivity and clear skies might just coexist.
