News

Astronaut Tim Peake has expressed concerns about Elon Musk’s plan to launch 30,000 Starlink satellites, warning that it could lead to a space disaster similar to the one depicted in the film “Gravity”. The concept of Kessler syndrome, where a buildup of space debris causes catastrophic collisions, is a central plot element of the movie.

Peake, who recently announced his return from retirement to lead the UK’s first astronaut mission, stressed the need for regulation and control in order to preserve the cleanliness of space. Currently, there are already approximately 4,500 Starlink satellites, with the potential total reaching 30,000. Peake emphasized the importance of maintaining a clean environment in space.

Despite the potential risks, Peake acknowledged the valuable role that satellites could play in addressing climate change. He noted that solar energy, in particular, could be harnessed by placing solar farms in orbit where they would receive sunlight constantly. This energy could then be transmitted back to Earth. Peake mentioned that the sun can provide 7,000 times more energy than what is needed on Earth daily, making it a promising solution for our energy needs.

Peake also highlighted the contributions of Elon Musk’s SpaceX company in making these possibilities closer to reality. He expressed excitement about the potential for huge investments in solar energy and the likelihood of achieving this goal sooner than expected, thanks to Musk.

Furthermore, Peake mentioned that beyond the United States, Britain is the second-largest producer of small satellites. Companies like AAC Clyde Space in Glasgow are already developing high-efficiency solar panels for such satellites.

In summary, while recognizing the potential benefits of satellites, Tim Peake emphasizes the need for careful regulation to prevent a space disaster caused by an excessive amount of space debris. He also acknowledges the positive role that these satellites could play in addressing climate change and looks forward to the possibility of harnessing solar energy from space.

The post Astronaut Tim Peake Warns of Potential Space Disaster Caused by Elon Musk’s Satellites appeared first on satProviders.