Astronomers have urged the government to rein in plans to launch 48,000 satellites into orbits that will obscure the view of the world’s most sophisticated observatories.
Scientists were relieved in March when One Web, a satellite company with headquarters in London, filed for bankruptcy. But under a rescue plan, Britain is to take a 45 per cent stake in the company. One Web has submitted plans with US regulators to launch 48,000 satellites at an altitude of 1,200km (750 miles) to supply broadband and navigation services.
Dominic Cummings, chief adviser to Boris Johnson, is said to have pushed for the investment. Britain’s satellite industry has been locked out of the EU’s Galileo project because of Brexit.
Mark McCaughrean, senior adviser for science and exploration
