Satellite Constellations & Astronomy: What is the problem? What are we doing about it?

In recent years, large satellite constellations have been launched into low-Earth orbit to provide low-latency, global communication coverage. As a result, the number of satellites in orbit has surged from approximately 2,500 to over 10,000, raising concerns about the sustainability of this endeavor and its impact on astronomical observations and the night sky.

I will discuss the current situation, the effects of key constellation parameters (number of satellites, altitude, inclination, satellite size, etc.), and the impact on astronomical observations. I will also explore various mitigation methods. While this talk primarily focuses on astronomy, I will briefly touch on non-astronomical aspects.

Background information: https://www.eso.org/~ohainaut/satellites/