The new feature will debut on Starlink Launch 9
SpaceX has been working with the astronomical community to help make this happen
and the company has already tried out some mitigation measures
Related: Starlink: SpaceX's satellite internet project
For example, one of the 60 Starlink satellites that launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket this past January sported an experimental coating to make it less reflective. Observations show that this "DarkSat" is considerably dimmer than its brighter Starlink cohorts
but probably not dim enough to quell most astronomers' concerns about the megaconstellation.
But SpaceX is taking additional measures as well
Musk tweeted the following on Wednesday (April 22)
in response to a Twitter follower who wished SpaceX luck on a 60-satellite Starlink launch that day: "Thanks
We are taking some key steps to reduce satellite brightness btw
Should be much less noticeable during orbit raise by changing solar panel angle & all sats get sunshades starting with launch 9."
He gave some details about the sunshades, which will presumably reduce solar reflection off the satellites' bodies, in a subsequent tweet that day: "It’s made of a special dark foam that’s extremely radio transparent
so as not to affect the phased array antennas
Thanks! We are taking some key steps to reduce satellite brightness btw. Should be much less noticeable during orbit raise by changing solar panel angle & all sats get sunshades starting with launch 9.April 22, 2020
The sunshade-equipped satellites will begin flying soon, because Starlink Launch 9 should be just around the corner. Wednesday's liftoff was Launch 7
SpaceX has launched 422 of the satellites to LEO
counting two prototypes that went up in February 2018
Musk has said that Starlink can provide "minor" internet coverage with at least 400 satellites and "moderate" service with about 800
so the constellation will likely be operational relatively soon
The sunshades' effectiveness should also be apparent in short order
Astronomers will doubtless be tracking the modified satellites
hoping they don't stand out too much against the dark sky
or 45% off the standard price for the first three months
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
but has been known to dabble in the space art beat. His book about the search for alien life
Michael worked as a herpetologist and wildlife biologist
in evolutionary biology from the University of Sydney
a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona
and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California
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Suomalaisen rockmusiikin vientinimiin kuuluvan Blind Channel -yhtyeen toinen laulaja
asettui pitkäaikaisesti VALO Hotel & Workiin asumaan tuttavansa suosituksesta
VALOsta tulikin kiertueiden välille tukikohta
jossa arjen ja työnteon yhdistäminen onnistui helposti
Kiireinen artisti ja myös radiojuontajan töitä tekevä Hokka arvostaa VALOn ainutlaatuista tunnelmaa
monipuolisia tiloja ja palveluita sekä ympäristöä
Blind Channel tunnetaan kansainvälisestä menestyksestään ja pitkistäkin kiertueista ympäri maailman
on viettänyt kiertueiden välissä rauhallisempaa arkea VALO Hotel & Workissa
Etsiessään kesällä uutta asuinpaikkaa Helsingissä
hän kuuli mahdollisuudesta majoittua pidempiaikaisesti VALOssa kollegan suosituksesta
– Kiertueiden aikana vuokra-asunnon pitäminen ei tuntunut järkevältä ja tähän tarpeeseen VALO tarjosi loistavan yhdistelmän joustavaa asumista
Tilojen kannalta tämä on täydellinen paikka yhdistää työ ja arki – ja palveluiden puolesta tämä on kuin taivas maan päällä
Joel on kiertänyt maailmaa Blind Channelin kanssa ja nähnyt monenlaisia hotelleja
mutta VALO erottuu paljon kokeneen rockmuusikon silmissä edukseen
Hänen mukaansa VALOn akustiikka ja äänieristys ovat ihanteellisia musiikin tekemiseen
– Olen säveltänyt täällä kappaleita ja virittänyt muun muassa kaiuttimet huoneeseeni
VALOn tilat tukevat luovaa työskentelyä poikkeuksellisen hyvin
VALOn wellness-alue saa Joelilta erityistä kiitosta
Ääntänsä työkseen paljon käyttävälle on VALOn höyrysauna noussut suureen arvoon
sillä se avaa hengitysteitä ja näin auttaa ääntä kestämään paremmin
Höyrysaunaa hän käyttääkin lähes päivittäin
– Wellness-alue on ehdottomasti VALOn kruununjalokivi ja se kestää myös kansainväliset vertailut mennen tullen
VALOssa olen päässyt rutiineihin taas kiinni
syön paremmin ja yritän pitää itsestäni myös fyysisesti huolta
Bändityön ohella Joel työskentelee myös Sanomatalossa Radio Rockin ohjelmien parissa
että VALO ei sijaitse aivan ydinkeskustassa
– Olen usein tuskastellut kulkemisen vaikeutta Helsingin ydinkeskustassa
VALOsta on helppo ja nopea kulkea keskustaan julkisilla tai vaikka skuutilla Mannerheimintietä pitkin
Aivan VALOn vieressä oleva Keskuspuisto ja luonnonläheisyys tarjoavat tilaa hengittää
VALOn sijainti onkin mahdollistanut yhdistelmän rauhallisuutta hyvien yhteyksien välillä
– Kauppakeskus Triplan läheisyys ja nopea yhteys lentokentälle ovat isoja plussia
VALOssa on ollut kaikki tarvittava käden ulottuvilla – kuntosali
Parhaimmillaan täältä ei ole tarvinnut poistua mihinkään
Blind Channel jää pidemmälle tauolle joulukuun jälkeen ja käynnissä oleva Final Emotions -kiertue onkin viimeinen mahdollisuus nähdä yhtyettä ennen taukoa
kaksi kertaa loppuunmyydyllä Tavastialla ja viimeinen keikka on luonnollisesti yhtyeen kotikaupungissa Oulussa
Tauon aikana Joel kertoo siirtyvänsä pidemmäksi ajaksi takaisin Ouluun ja tulevaisuus onkin monella tavoin avoin
Kuluneen syksynsä ja aikansa VALOssa hän kiteyttää:
– VALOssa on ollut helppo olla ja keskittyä siihen
SIBU: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) Sibu branch has taken action against owners of 40 vehicles found to be retrofitted with light emitting diode (LED) and high intensity discharge (HID) headlights during Ops Silau in Jalan Oya on Wednesday (May 17) night
Its head Mohamad Faizal David Jemat said the owners have been ordered under Section 61(1) of the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987 to change the vehicle lights to the original one installed from the factory
any owner who failed to do so within 10 days from the date the notice was issued would be charged with failing to comply with the notice
vehicles fitted with HID type headlights were also issued the same notice along with a notice prohibiting the use of the vehicle and were subject to a summons
"After it has been changed to the original light (as installed from the factory) the owner must immediately bring their vehicle to the nearest JPJ counter for inspection and verification purposes
"If the owner fails to do so within the 10-day period that has been set
they will be charged with the offence of failing to comply with the notice," he said on Thursday (May 18)
retrofitting LED and HID lights is an offence under Rule 94 of the Motor Vehicle (Construction and Use) Rules 1959 and can be fined up to RM2,000 or imprisonment not exceeding six months under Section 119(1) of the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987
"We have received many complaints from the public regarding many vehicles in the town with white lights that dazzle and affect the vision of other drivers
"This can endanger the safety of the driver himself as well as other road users
"Operations like this will continue from time to time in addition to daily operations to raise awareness among vehicle owners in this city not to modify vehicles that violate the law and endanger the safety of other road users," he said
vehicle owners can refer to the JPJ Automotive Engineering Unit before making modifications to their vehicles to avoid legal action
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New details have emerged regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of NTV journalist Rita Tinina
A report filed at Kileleshwa Police Station on Sunday
shortly after she was found unconscious in her house
Tinina experienced a severe five-day-old fever
The report further showed that the first report was made by Helen Silau Njaga
Tinina's sister at around 10:45 am after her body was found unconscious
was found unconscious on her bed inside her bedroom at her Kileleshwa home
Silau rushed to her home and when she arrived
she found Tinina unresponsive and called for medical assistance
The paramedics confirmed that the body was already lifeless upon arrival
She was living with her eight-year-old daughter at the time of her passing
Police transferred the body of the deceased to Umash Funeral Home as investigations into the incident kicked off
We are really trying to digest and at the moment we just request for the privacy to be accorded to the family
More information will come letter," Silau told the press
The news of the journalist's death sent the entire media industry countrywide into mourning with a majority of scribes hailing her as a trailblazing figure
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed recalled an instance in which Tinina helped file a report when his equipment failed during a high-stakes coverage
"Rita bailed me out once during my time at Citizen TV
helping me file a story when our equipment failed at an EAC Heads of State Summit in Arusha during Kibaki’s presidency," he recalled
as she was already a household name in the media
noted that Tinina's contributions to the profession were immense
"During this time of mourning, may the loved ones of Tinina find comfort in the knowledge that she made a significant and meaningful contribution to the field of journalism," he stated
Tinina worked at the Nation Media Group (NMG) before joining KTN News in 2012 where she worked as a senior reporter before returning to NTV in October 2023
Rita was found dead on Sunday at her house in Kileleshwa
An autopsy conducted on the late NTV journalist Rita Tinina has revealed she died of severe pneumonia
March 17 afternoon after failing to report to work and answering a phone call from her colleague
File image of the late NTV journalist Rita Tinina
"Her passing leaves a void in the industry
yet her legacy of storytelling and integrity will endure
My heartfelt condolences go out to her loved ones and colleagues
May God grant them strength and fortitude,” Raila stated
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