Another major conflict has emerged in space exploration, which could seriously damage many projects, including the upcoming exploration of the Moon under the Artemis program. Nokia, which won the tender for the creation of the first 4G lunar communication network , received claims from many astronomers. Those of them who work with radio telescopes demand to design the new network as small as possible and to shield all emitters as much as possible so as not to interfere with the work of scientists.
According to legend, Sir Bernard Lowell, the creator of the first radio telescope laboratory, hated the urban environment, as the ubiquitous trams interfered with his equipment. He fled to the fields near Cheshire, where he built the Jodrell Bank Observatory - visitors today are required to turn off their mobile phones a few kilometers before it. As in the past, astronomers were hindered by light pollution, so today they are hindered by radio interference, which forces them to build new observatories as far as possible from civilization.
With the launch of the Starlink satellite system in 2019, astronomers grabbed their heads - the amount of interference, both in the optical range and in the radio sphere, has multiplied. But apart from counting on the goodwill of Elon Musk, like the owners of other companions, they cannot do anything. Scientists lack the authority to force to correct the trajectories of vehicles already flying in orbit. And now a whole scattering of radio signal emitters right on the neighboring moon will be added to the number of their problems.
Formally, ensuring the operation of radio telescopes is the task of the same NASA, but in practice there is an overlap of interests. A compromise is unlikely, Nokia is unlikely to be able to shield all equipment and ensure that there is no interference from radio emitters. Apparently, unless surprises occur, NASA will have to choose between supporting Artemis and the interests of radio astronomers.
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