Bright unintended electromagnetic radiation from second-generation Starlink satellites

Fuente: arXiv
Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bassa, C. G., Di Vruno, F., Winkel, B., Jozsa, G. I. G., Brentjens, M. A., Zhang, X.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1866929503846006784
author Bassa, C. G.
Di Vruno, F.
Winkel, B.
Jozsa, G. I. G.
Brentjens, M. A.
Zhang, X.
author_facet Bassa, C. G.
Di Vruno, F.
Winkel, B.
Jozsa, G. I. G.
Brentjens, M. A.
Zhang, X.
contents We report on the detection of unintended electromagnetic radiation (UEMR) from the second-generation of Starlink satellites. Observations with the LOFAR radio telescope between 10 to 88MHz and 110 to 188MHz show broadband emission covering the frequency ranges from 40 to 70MHz and 110 to 188MHz from the v2-Mini and v2-Mini Direct-to-Cell Starlink satellites. The spectral power flux density of this broadband UEMR varies from satellite to satellite, with values ranging from 15Jy to 1300Jy, between 56 and 66MHz, and from 2 to 100Jy over two distinct 8MHz frequency ranges centered at 120 and 161MHz. We compared the detected power flux densities of this UEMR to that emitted by the first generation v1.0 and v1.5 Starlink satellites. When correcting for the observed satellite distances, we find that the second-generation satellites emit UEMR that is up to a factor of 32 stronger compared to the first generation. The calculated electric field strengths of the detected UEMR exceed typical electromagnetic compatibility standards used for commercial electronic devices as well as recommended emission thresholds from the Radiocommunication Sector of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU-R) aimed at protecting the 150.05-153MHz frequency range allocated to radio astronomy. We characterize the properties of the detected UEMR with the aim of assisting the satellite operator with the identification of the cause of the UEMR.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2409_11767
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Bright unintended electromagnetic radiation from second-generation Starlink satellites
Bassa, C. G.
Di Vruno, F.
Winkel, B.
Jozsa, G. I. G.
Brentjens, M. A.
Zhang, X.
Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
We report on the detection of unintended electromagnetic radiation (UEMR) from the second-generation of Starlink satellites. Observations with the LOFAR radio telescope between 10 to 88MHz and 110 to 188MHz show broadband emission covering the frequency ranges from 40 to 70MHz and 110 to 188MHz from the v2-Mini and v2-Mini Direct-to-Cell Starlink satellites. The spectral power flux density of this broadband UEMR varies from satellite to satellite, with values ranging from 15Jy to 1300Jy, between 56 and 66MHz, and from 2 to 100Jy over two distinct 8MHz frequency ranges centered at 120 and 161MHz. We compared the detected power flux densities of this UEMR to that emitted by the first generation v1.0 and v1.5 Starlink satellites. When correcting for the observed satellite distances, we find that the second-generation satellites emit UEMR that is up to a factor of 32 stronger compared to the first generation. The calculated electric field strengths of the detected UEMR exceed typical electromagnetic compatibility standards used for commercial electronic devices as well as recommended emission thresholds from the Radiocommunication Sector of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU-R) aimed at protecting the 150.05-153MHz frequency range allocated to radio astronomy. We characterize the properties of the detected UEMR with the aim of assisting the satellite operator with the identification of the cause of the UEMR.
title Bright unintended electromagnetic radiation from second-generation Starlink satellites
topic Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.11767