Answers to your questions about sending satellites into orbit around the earth and the need for coordination

Thanks to the questions and comments that you sent to us at [email protected], we come back on a column dedicated to the challenges posed by Elon Musk, particularly in the space field. Radio waves emitted by Elon Musk’s growing network of satellites hamper astronomical observations, say researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy in the revue Astronomy and Astrophysics . The new generation of Starlink satellites, launched by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, provides fast internet access around the world, “often in remote locations, including harsh environments like Ukraine and Yemen” note it BBC but these devices interfere more with radio telescopes than previous versions. Currently, “more than 6,000 Starlink satellites are in orbit approximately 550 km above Earth, making it by far the largest provider in the world,” specifies the BBCtaken over by Correio Braziliense.

Why are satellites being sent into orbit around the Earth in increasing numbers? What are they for? What legal principles govern the space domain? Is there a priority given to military, commercial or scientific satellites?

Mireille Couston, professor at Jean-Moulin-Lyon-III University, vice-president of the French society of air and space law answers our questions.