A recent study highlights that China’s Qianfan satellites, part of a planned broadband constellation with over 14,000 satellites, are significantly brighter than Western systems, posing challenges for astronomers.

The 18 satellites launched in August have a brightness ranging from magnitude 8 when low in the sky to magnitude 4 overhead, exceeding the visibility threshold for both professional and amateur observations.

The researchers, affiliated with the International Astronautical Union’s Centre for the Protection of Dark and Quiet Skies from Satellite Constellation Interference, aim to raise awareness and prompt design changes for future satellites, Space News has reported.

They noted that the Qianfan satellites lack reflective measures found in SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, which were modified to reduce their brightness after early observations showed negative impacts on astronomy.

Written by B.C. Begley