Nature study: Satellites threaten space telescope images
A NASA-led, peer-reviewed study published in Nature on Dec. 3, 2025 warns that reflected light from rapidly growing satellite constellations could contaminate up to 96% of images from some space telescopes within a decade, with at least one in three Hubble images expected to show a satellite streak. The analysis cites more than 10,000 active satellites (including ~7,800 SpaceX Starlink units) and forecasts major impacts on NASA’s SPHEREx as well as ESA’s ARRAKIHS and China’s Xuntian, while the American Astronomical Society and the U.N.’s ITU voice concern and SpaceX points to mitigation steps like visors and darker coatings.
📌 Key Facts
- The NASA-led study (lead author Alejandro S. Borlaff) was published in Nature on Dec. 3, 2025.
- Researchers project ≥33% of Hubble images will contain a satellite trail and up to ~96% contamination for SPHEREx, ARRAKIHS, and Xuntian.
- There are 10,000+ active satellites as of Dec. 1, 2025, including ~7,800 SpaceX Starlink units; the ITU says thousands more are planned.
📊 Relevant Data
Industry proposals foresee around 560,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit in the coming decade.
NASA study shows how satellite 'light pollution' hinders space telescopes — Reuters
In 2019, there were roughly 2,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit.
NASA study shows how satellite 'light pollution' hinders space telescopes — Reuters
Starlink has 8 million subscribers in November 2025.
Starlink — Wikipedia
Around 100,000 satellites are expected to be in orbit by 2030.
Around 100 000 satellites are expected to be in orbit by 2030 — ESA