Radio waves from Elon Musk’s ever-growing network of satellites are “blocking scientists’ view” of the universe, according to researchers in the Netherlands.

The new generation of Starlink satellites that provide high-speed internet around the world interferes more with radio telescopes than previous versions, Dutch researchers claim, according to the BBC.

The thousands of satellites in orbit “blind” radio telescopes and can hinder astronomical research, according to the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON).

SpaceX, which owns Starlink, has not responded to a BBC News request for comment.

What are Musk’s satellites for?

Satellites provide broadband internet around the world, often in remote places, including difficult environments like Ukraine and Yemen.

They are also used to connect remote areas of the UK to fast internet. In 2022 tests showed Starlink could deliver internet speeds four times faster than average, according to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Scientists: Why satellites must “step aside” to see

“Every time these satellites are launched with these kinds of emission levels, we see less and less of the sky,” Professor Jessica Dempsey, director of ASTRON, told BBC News.

“We’re trying to see things like jets, emitted by black holes at the center of galaxies. We’re also looking at some of the earliest galaxies, millions and millions of light-years away, as well as exoplanets,” he said, pointing to the areas affected by satellite radiation.

Interference from second generation, or V2, satellites was found by ASTRON to be 32 times stronger than the first generation.

Satellite “congestion”

The amount of radiation emitted exceeds regulations set by the industry body, the International Telecommunication Union, Professor Dempsey added.

According to one estimate, there are 6,402 Starlink satellites currently in orbit about 342 miles (550 kilometers) above Earth.

The satellites are relatively large – with 3m flat panels and an 8m solar array for power.

SpaceX’s main competitor, OneWeb, has fewer than 1,000. But it is a growing business sector. Amazon is developing its own network and hopes to roll out at least 3,000 in the next few years.

By 2030 the number of satellites in orbit is expected to exceed 100,000.