Scientists, looking deep into space, have long voiced their concerns that satellites are encroaching on their ability to study the cosmos.
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Send 40k satellites to pollute low-earth orbit (and provide internet)
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Develop rockets that would more affordably send payload above LEO
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Push scientists to get funding and launch more telescopes above LEO
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Profit.
Talk about demand generation…
LEO isn’t a marketing ploy, it reduces the latency inherent to traditional satellite technology which is in a much higher orbit. Starlink has taken off because it provides a much better user experience compared to the old school satellite options.
It sucks for astronomers but given governments and other companies are following their example, nobody is putting this genie back in the bottle.
