How many satellites is too many? | European Southern Observatory

How many satellites is too many? | European Southern Observatory

There are currently more than 14,000 satellites in orbit, but new proposals by SpaceX, Reflect Orbital and other companies could increase that number to over 1.7 million satellites. In this video, two European Southern Observatory experts tell us about the devastating consequences this would have on astronomy, and what are the technical and legal options to limit this damage.

Learn more:
https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2607/
https://www.eso.org/public/archives/releases/sciencepapers/eso2607/eso2607a.pdf

Credit: ESO
Directed by: L. Calçada, M. Kornmesser, B. Ferreira 
Hosted by: S. Randall 
Written by: E. Elkington, S. Randall 
Editing: M. Kornmesser, L. Calçada 
Videography: A. Tsaousis 
Animations & footage: ESO, L. Calçada, M. Kornmesser, Future/Brett Tingley, ESA, S. Guisard, Torsten Hansen/IAU OAES, S. Brunier, F. Kamphues, B. Häuẞler, SpaceX, Reflect Orbital, @EmericTimelapse, RubinObs/NSF/AURA/H. Stockebrand, C. Malin, B. Tafreshi, G. Lombardi, INAF-VST/OmegaCAM, P. Horálek, satellitemap.space, J. McDowell
Filming Locations: ESO Supernova 
Duration: 14 minutes

Release Date: July 1, 2026

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