Core Insights - A recent analysis by NASA indicates that global ground-based astronomy research may face significant threats from satellite light pollution over the next decade, with approximately 96% of images from low Earth orbit observations potentially affected [1][2] Group 1: Satellite Impact on Astronomy - The number of satellites in orbit has surged to 15,000, up from just 75 in 2019, primarily due to decreased launch costs [2] - Ground-based observations, such as those from NASA's Webb Telescope, may be disrupted by reflected light from these satellites, rendering images unusable for research [2] - Previous studies have focused on the impact of satellites on ground-based astronomy, but the effects on space telescopes have been largely overlooked [2] Group 2: Future Projections and Solutions - NASA's Ames Research Center simulated the field of view changes for four space telescopes at an altitude of 800 kilometers as satellite numbers increase, including NASA's Webb and SPHEREx, ESA's ARRAKIHS, and China's planned survey space telescope [2] - It is projected that 560,000 satellites will be operational in the future, potentially polluting 39.6% of images from the Webb Telescope and 96% of images from the other three telescopes [2] - The average number of satellites observed by the Webb Telescope is estimated to be 2.14, while SPHEREx may see 5.64, ARRAKIHS 69, and the survey telescope 92 [2] - A potential solution proposed is to deploy satellites in orbits lower than those of the telescopes, although this could negatively impact the Earth's ozone layer [2]

Group 1 - The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully created a man-made solar eclipse using two satellites, showcasing advanced satellite formation flying capabilities and providing valuable data for studying the solar corona [1][2] - The project cost approximately $210 million and has successfully simulated solar eclipses 10 times, with the longest lasting 5 hours [2] - The satellites, named "Occulter" and "Coronagraph," maintained a distance of 150 meters during the simulation, achieving a positioning accuracy of less than 1 millimeter [1][2] Group 2 - The project aims to extend the total duration of totality to 6 hours during scientific observations starting in July, with an estimated 200 simulations planned over the next two years, averaging about two per week [2] - The data collected from these simulations will be significant, as natural solar eclipses occur only every 18 months and last only a few minutes [2]