It's been six years since BMW famously showcased a new X6 coated in Vantablack, a material known for absorbing nearly all visible light. This one-off experiment demonstrated the extreme optical characteristics of Vantablack, making the crossover almost invisible. While this unique application was visually striking, it raised questions about the practical uses of such a material. Recently, Surrey NanoSystems, the creator of Vantablack, revealed an exciting new project aimed at addressing a pressing issue in astronomy: the interference caused by satellite reflectivity.
As satellite constellations proliferate, they pose significant challenges for ground-based astronomical research. These satellites, particularly those from the Starlink program, reflect sunlight and create bright streaks in telescope images, disrupting the clarity needed for scientific observations. In response to this issue, Surrey NanoSystems has partnered with the University of Surrey to explore a solution: applying a new version of Vantablack to an actual satellite. This initiative aims to mitigate the light pollution generated by these satellite constellations.
The project involves coating one side of the Jovian 1 CubeSat, a shoebox-sized satellite, with Vantablack 310. This new proprietary blend of Vantablack is designed to achieve a remarkable performance, reflecting only 2% of light across the visible and near-infrared spectrum. While the original Vantablack reflected less than 0.1% of light, the new formulation also needs to be durable enough for handling by engineers and capable of withstanding the harsh conditions of space.
Since SpaceX launched its Starlink satellites in 2019, astronomers have expressed concerns about the impact of these low Earth orbit satellites on observational astronomy. With over 7,500 Starlink satellites currently in orbit, their low altitude means they often reflect sunlight, leaving streaks in images captured by ground-based telescopes. Plans to expand the constellation to as many as 42,000 satellites could exacerbate the problem of light pollution, making it increasingly difficult for astronomers to conduct their research.
Dr. Keiran Clifford, a project lead at Surrey NanoSystems, noted that while the societal benefits of satellite constellations in technology and global communication are significant, their current brightness levels are detrimental to ground-based astronomy. He stated, "The proliferation of satellite constellations is expected to bring huge societal benefit; however, the brightness of these satellites severely disrupts ground-based astronomy." While Vantablack 310 may help reduce light pollution, it isn't the only environmental challenge posed by Starlink satellites.
In addition to light interference, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy reported last year that the Starlink satellites emit radiation that disrupts radio telescopes. Furthermore, as these satellites burn up upon re-entry at the end of their service life, they contribute to ozone layer depletion, raising further environmental concerns. Despite efforts to create more sustainable mega-constellations, the journey toward an ideal solution remains long and complex.
The initiative to use Vantablack 310 on satellites represents a promising step towards addressing the challenges posed by the increasing number of satellites in orbit. While it may not solve all issues related to satellite pollution, it highlights the potential for innovative materials to enhance sustainability in space technology. As the conversation continues around the balance between technological advancement and environmental stewardship, projects like these will be crucial in shaping the future of both astronomy and satellite deployment.
