A recent study has concluded that Amazon’s ambitious new internet megaconstellation, deployed in low Earth orbit (LEO), features satellites bright enough to significantly disrupt critical astronomical research.

New research raises concerns over the brightness of Amazon’s burgeoning low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, with a study suggesting its spacecraft exceed internationally recommended illumination limits.

The analysis, which involved nearly 2,000 observations of Amazon’s Leo satellites, was posted on the online repository Arxiv on January 12 and is currently awaiting peer review. According to the findings, these satellites surpass the brightness threshold established by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). This critical guideline is designed to ensure the harmonious coexistence of rapidly expanding satellite megaconstellations with sensitive astronomical research, preventing light pollution that could obstruct scientific observation.

Soaring 391 miles (630 kilometers) above Earth, the internet-beaming satellites generally present an average apparent magnitude of 6.28. While this level of brightness typically renders them invisible to the unaided eye, their presence is nevertheless significant enough to concern astronomers, posing a potential disruption to sensitive observations. Interestingly, in roughly 25% of all sightings, these very same satellites become sufficiently luminous to be readily observable without the aid of a telescope.

Bright satellites are significantly impeding crucial astronomical research, presenting distinct challenges for extensive ground-based surveys at facilities like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. This concern was articulated by Anthony Mallama, lead author of a recent study and an astronomer at the IAU Center for Protection of the Dark And Quiet Sky, in an email to Space.com. Mallama further highlighted that this interference extends beyond terrestrial observatories, also impacting orbiting telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope.

Building on a foundation of extensive prior research into the luminosity of orbital networks, Professor Mallama and his team have meticulously cataloged the brightness of various satellite constellations. Their earlier work notably focused on SpaceX’s Starlink, a colossal network comprising approximately 9,500 satellites, which currently holds the distinction as the largest constellation ever deployed.

Beyond Starlink, their observations also encompassed the monumental BlueBird satellite arrays, operated by AST SpaceMobile. These massive structures are particularly striking due to their gargantuan antennas, each measuring a formidable 690 square feet (64 square meters). This impressive scale renders them the brightest artificial objects visible in the night sky. Looking ahead, the next generation of BlueBird satellites promises an even more substantial presence, with antennas projected to expand to nearly 2,400 square feet (223 square meters), further amplifying their visual prominence in the night sky.

Astronomer Mallama has provided crucial insights into the visibility of burgeoning satellite constellations, a topic of increasing importance for night sky observation. According to Mallama’s findings, satellites within Amazon’s Leo constellation—formerly recognized as Project Kuiper—exhibit a considerably dimmer profile compared to BlueBird satellites. Additionally, these Amazon craft appear marginally fainter than the majority of Starlink satellites, despite the latter orbiting at a lower altitude of approximately 300 miles (480 km). Mallama further elaborated that the Starlink constellation’s overall impact on astronomical observations is somewhat mitigated by its unique orbital mechanics, which ensure it spends a significant portion of its time obscured by Earth’s shadow, thereby reducing its visual obtrusiveness.

Projected for future deployment, Amazon’s next generation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are slated to operate at a reduced altitude of approximately 366 miles (590 km). This closer orbital proximity is anticipated to significantly heighten their apparent brightness in the night sky.

John Barentine, an astronomer and dark sky expert from Tucson, Arizona’s Silverado Hills Observatory, has observed that Amazon’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites exhibit heightened luminosity during twilight hours. Barentine, who was not involved in the new study, specifically highlighted their notable brightness under these conditions.

Amazon embarked on the ambitious deployment of its internet satellite constellation in 2025. While a preliminary fleet of 180 spacecraft currently orbits the Earth, marking the initial phase of this endeavor, the tech giant has outlined plans for a monumental expansion. The company ultimately intends to grow its orbital network to encompass more than 3,200 satellites.

Mallama expressed commendation for Amazon’s proactive approach in collaborating with astronomers and their commitment to mitigating the light pollution caused by their satellite constellations.

Here are a few paraphrased options, maintaining a journalistic tone and focusing on uniqueness and engagement:

**Option 1 (Concise and direct):**

> In an effort to mitigate the visual impact of their growing satellite constellations, companies like Amazon and SpaceX are collaborating with astronomers. These efforts include innovative design strategies such as outfitting satellites with mirrored undersides to deflect sunlight away from Earth and carefully positioning onboard components to prevent the glint of sunlit surfaces from reaching observers on the ground.

**Option 2 (Slightly more descriptive):**

> The astronomical community is seeing a concerted effort from satellite giants like Amazon and SpaceX to address concerns about light pollution from their spacecraft. Joint initiatives are underway to reduce satellite brightness, employing techniques such as incorporating highly reflective, mirror-like materials on the underside of satellites to redirect sunlight into the void. Additionally, satellite orientation is being optimized to ensure that sun-facing surfaces are not visible from Earth.

**Option 3 (Focus on the “why”):**

> To minimize the disruptive glare of their expanding satellite networks, major players such as Amazon and SpaceX are actively engaging with astronomers. The companies are exploring and implementing design modifications, including the use of mirrored undersides that bounce sunlight back into space. Another key strategy involves carefully angling satellite equipment to prevent ground-based observers from witnessing the bright, sunlit facets of the spacecraft.

**Key changes made in these paraphrases:**

* **Varied vocabulary:** “working with” became “collaborating with,” “seeing a concerted effort,” “actively engaging with.” “reduce the brightness” became “mitigate the visual impact,” “address concerns about light pollution,” “minimize the disruptive glare.”
* **Sentence structure variation:** Sentences are combined or reordered to create a different flow.
* **Active voice where appropriate:** Emphasizing the actions of the companies.
* **More descriptive language:** “mirror-like” became “highly reflective, mirror-like materials,” “glint of sunlit surfaces,” “bright, sunlit facets.”
* **Conciseness:** Removing slightly redundant phrasing.

Since the initial deployment of its test satellites in 2023, Amazon’s engineering team has made significant strides in mitigating their nighttime sky visibility. According to Barentine, these efforts have successfully reduced the amount of light the orbiting satellites reflect back to Earth, thereby lessening their impact on astronomical observations and the appearance of the night sky.

Here are a few paraphrased options, maintaining a journalistic tone:

**Option 1 (Focus on collaboration):**

> The early engagement of astronomers in the design process of the Amazon Leo constellation has proven to be a beneficial approach, according to Barentine. He noted that this collaborative effort has already shown promising results.

**Option 2 (Focus on success and precedent):**

> Barentine highlighted Amazon Leo as a positive example of operators consulting with astronomers during the constellation’s initial design. This proactive engagement, he stated, has already demonstrated encouraging signs of success.

**Option 3 (More direct and concise):**

> “Amazon Leo represents a significant instance where the operator proactively engaged astronomers during the constellation’s design phase,” explained Barentine. “This collaborative effort has thankfully yielded some early successes.”

**Option 4 (Emphasizing the “encouraging” aspect):**

> According to Barentine, the Amazon Leo project is a welcome development, as it demonstrates a commitment by the operator to consult with astronomers from the outset of their constellation’s design. He added that this early collaboration has already begun to bear fruit.

Since the debut of SpaceX’s Starlink satellites in 2019, astronomers have voiced growing concerns about the potential disruption to astronomical observations. Initial reports highlighted issues with streaked images, caused by satellites traversing the field of view of telescopes. However, SpaceX has since taken steps to mitigate this problem by reducing the brightness of its spacecraft.

Here are a few paraphrased options, maintaining a journalistic tone and focusing on originality:

**Option 1 (Focus on the report’s findings):**

> A prior investigation, detailed in the *Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society* in November 2025 by Mallama and his research team, revealed that nearly all active internet-beaming satellite constellations, with the notable exception of OneWeb’s higher-orbiting satellites (at 745 miles or 1,200 km), are surpassing brightness guidelines set by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). This includes prominent Chinese projects like Qianfan and Guowang.

**Option 2 (More direct and impactful):**

> Despite ongoing efforts, a November 2025 study published in the *Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society* by Mallama and his colleagues flagged that most operational internet-beaming satellite constellations are brighter than recommended by the IAU. The report singled out China’s Qianfan and Guowang projects, along with others, as exceeding these limits, with only OneWeb’s satellites, positioned at a higher altitude of 745 miles (1,200 km), appearing to be an exception.

**Option 3 (Emphasizing the scope of the problem):**

> The International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) recommended brightness limits for satellites are being exceeded by a broad spectrum of operational internet-beaming constellations, according to a November 2025 report in the *Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society*. Researchers, led by Mallama, found that even significant undertakings like China’s Qianfan and Guowang projects fall into this category. The sole exception identified in the study was the OneWeb constellation, which operates at a considerably higher altitude of 745 miles (1,200 km).

**Key changes and why they work:**

* **”earlier report” replaced with:** “prior investigation,” “a November 2025 study,” “a November 2025 report.” These sound more formal and journalistic.
* **”published by Mallama and his colleagues” integrated more smoothly:** Phrases like “by Mallama and his research team” or “Researchers, led by Mallama” improve flow.
* **”journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society” kept for credibility:** This is important factual information.
* **”found that” replaced with:** “revealed that,” “flagged that,” “are being exceeded by.” These are more active and engaging verbs.
* **”with the exception of OneWeb satellites, which orbit at higher altitudes of 745 miles (1,200 km)” rephrased for clarity and variety:**
* “with the notable exception of OneWeb’s higher-orbiting satellites (at 745 miles or 1,200 km)”
* “with only OneWeb’s satellites, positioned at a higher altitude of 745 miles (1,200 km), appearing to be an exception.”
* “The sole exception identified in the study was the OneWeb constellation, which operates at a considerably higher altitude of 745 miles (1,200 km).”
* **”all currently operational internet-beaming constellations, including the Chinese projects Qianfan and Guowang, were exceeding the IAU-recommended brightness limits” made more dynamic:**
* “nearly all active internet-beaming satellite constellations…are surpassing brightness guidelines set by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). This includes prominent Chinese projects like Qianfan and Guowang.”
* “most operational internet-beaming satellite constellations are brighter than recommended by the IAU. The report singled out China’s Qianfan and Guowang projects, along with others, as exceeding these limits…”
* “The International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) recommended brightness limits for satellites are being exceeded by a broad spectrum of operational internet-beaming constellations…Researchers…found that even significant undertakings like China’s Qianfan and Guowang projects fall into this category.”

These options aim to present the information in a fresh, clear, and professional manner suitable for news reporting or scientific communication.