Operational Data Sharing Mitigates Satellite Interference for Radio Astronomy

The increasing number of low Earth orbit satellite constellations, designed to deliver global internet access, presents a growing challenge for radio astronomy observatories worldwide. Bang D. Nhan, along with Christopher G. De Pree, Anthony Beasley, and colleagues, addresses this issue by introducing a system called Operational Data Sharing (ODS). This innovative approach fosters collaboration between telescope and satellite operators, allowing satellites to dynamically adjust their transmissions and minimise interference with sensitive astronomical observations. The team demonstrates that by sharing telescope operational information via a secure database and employing a technique called Telescope Boresight Avoidance, significant reductions in radio frequency interference can be achieved, protecting valuable data gathered by facilities like the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, and paving the way for sustainable coexistence in the radio spectrum.

Boresight Avoidance Mitigates Starlink Radio Interference

This research details the successful demonstration of a system for reducing interference from Starlink satellites on radio astronomy observations. The results show that the TBA algorithm, which instructs satellites to temporarily adjust their orientation to avoid directly beaming signals towards radio telescopes, effectively minimizes interference. This system represents a significant step towards enabling spectrum coexistence between satellite internet constellations and sensitive radio astronomy observations. It is designed to be scalable for use with other telescopes and satellite networks. Recognizing that traditional methods of mitigating interference are often reactive or insufficient, the team focused on a proactive approach centered on information exchange. The core idea is to create a shared database containing real-time operational information from radio telescopes, detailing their observing schedules and sensitive frequencies. This information is then made accessible to satellite operators through a standardized application programming interface, allowing them to adjust their satellite downlink transmissions dynamically.

A key innovation is the Telescope Boresight Avoidance technique, which utilizes the shared data to instruct satellites to momentarily alter their transmissions when they are predicted to pass near a telescope’s line of sight. The success of these initial tests has led to broader implementation of the ODS system at other radio astronomy facilities, paving the way for more sustainable spectrum sharing between these vital technologies.

Automated System Mitigates Satellite Interference for Astronomy

Recent advances in satellite technology, designed to deliver broadband internet, present a growing challenge for radio astronomy observatories. These observatories are increasingly susceptible to radio frequency interference (RFI) from the downlink signals of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations. This system facilitates communication between radio telescopes and satellite operators by publishing telescope operational information to a secure database. This proactive approach represents a significant improvement over traditional RFI mitigation techniques. Analysis of data from these trials indicates that only a small percentage of satellite passes require downlink adjustments, minimising disruption to satellite service capacity while protecting astronomical data. Future work includes deploying the ODS at additional radio observatories and maintaining open communication with satellite operators to standardise the system and ensure its continued effectiveness.