In May 2022, the Federation of Astronomical Societies held an online webinar discussing the impact of “mega-constellations”, artificial satellites that will number tens, perhaps hundreds of thousands in low-Earth orbit over the coming years.
The webinar aimed to allow professional space operators and astronomers to explain the many challenges posed by satellite mega-constellations (space debris, environmental, cultural, space law, mitigation options and future policy prospects) to interested amateurs, undergraduates, early-career post-doctorate researchers indeed anyone interested in the impact on the environment.
Webinar Day 1
0:00:12 Day 1 Programme
0:01:20 Welcome, Dr Paul A. Daniels
0:03:02 An Introduction to Megaconstellations, Prof Andy Lawrence
0:28:09 SpaceX Satellites and the Night Sky, David Goldstein
0:57:57 Responsible Constellations, Maurizio Vanotti
1:17:30 40 Minute Lunch/Breakfast
1:18:04 Space Debris environment, Dr Hélène Ma
1:42:51 Flying Through Polluted Skies, Dr Thomas Ormston
2:10:35 Space Traffic Control, Stuart Eves
2:36:53 Q&A and Discussion, Dr Robert Massey & Panel
2:55:51 15 Minute Break
2:56:10 The environmental consequences of industrializing Earth orbits, Prof Aaron C. Boley
3:22:38 Satellite light pollution: an emerging threat to global night skies, Dr John C. Barentine
3:46:11 The impact of mega-constellations on heritage and Indigenous relationships to the night sky., Jessica Heim (and Doug Sinclair and Dr Juan-Carlos Chavez who were not recorded)
3:54:43 10 Minute Break
3:55:06 The Challenge of Megaconstellations in an Environmental Context, Dr Thomas Cheney
4:19:39 Overcoming Legal Challenges to a Sustainable Space Future, Charles L. Mudd Jr.
4:44:56 Q&A and Discussion, Dr Robert Massey & Panel
5:12:24 Close of Day, Dr Paul A. Daniels
Webinar Day 2
0:00:10 Day 2 Programme
0:01:15 Welcome, Dr Paul A. Daniels
0:02:25 The Megaconstellation Geometry: what do we see and when?, Dr Olivier R. Hainaut
0:34:55 Photometric Characterization of Mega-Constellation Satellites In All Geometries, Harrison Krantz
1:03:49 40 Minute Lunch/Breakfast
1:04:17 Quantifying the impact on optical observations, Dr Olivier R. Hainaut
1:34:37 Large LEO satellite constellations and their impact on radio astronomy, Federico di Vruno
1:57:39 15 Minute Break
1:58:08 An introduction to the challenges of satellite avoidance and mitigating the impact to astronomy, Dr Jeremy Tregloan-Reed
2:49:25 PassPredict and TrailMask, Dr Paul A. Daniels
3:01:27 Q&A and Discussion, Dr Paul A. Daniels & Panel
3:20:24 20 Minute Break
3:20:59 Sharing the Sky: The IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference, Dr Connie Walker
3:56:34 A central repository of satellite observations and what observations are required to evaluate and help mitigate the impact to astronomy, Dr Jeremy Tregloan-Reed
4:34:03 Satellite Constellations: international law, national policy, and industry perspectives, Dr Giuliana Rotola
5:00:17 Q&A and Discussion, Dr Paul A. Daniels & Panel
5:30:07 Meeting Close, Dr Paul A. Daniels
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