Hassan Ahmad Butt
About
My research project
Sustainable satellite design and ways to mitigate satellite-induced light pollutionLight pollution is something that whose negative impact on astronomical imaging cannot be understated. It causes streaks of light across images, blurs intensity readings and disrupts any astronomical data collection in general. Beyond the astronomical cons it is also destroying the night sky as we know it - with less stars being visible every single day.
A major factor that contributes to this light pollution is satellite induced light pollution, which happens by light bouncing off the surface of our reflective satellites. As there are up to hundreds of new satellites being launched into space every year, it is imperative that we do something to counter their light pollution.
My project aims to tackle this problem directly by designing more sustainable satellites! The key to unlocking this will potentially be through the research and development of ultra dark satellite coatings that are able to absorb majority of the light instead of reflecting it back.
Light pollution is something that whose negative impact on astronomical imaging cannot be understated. It causes streaks of light across images, blurs intensity readings and disrupts any astronomical data collection in general. Beyond the astronomical cons it is also destroying the night sky as we know it - with less stars being visible every single day.
A major factor that contributes to this light pollution is satellite induced light pollution, which happens by light bouncing off the surface of our reflective satellites. As there are up to hundreds of new satellites being launched into space every year, it is imperative that we do something to counter their light pollution.
My project aims to tackle this problem directly by designing more sustainable satellites! The key to unlocking this will potentially be through the research and development of ultra dark satellite coatings that are able to absorb majority of the light instead of reflecting it back.