[ 4. COMMON THEMES ]
The WGs worked both independently and at times collaboratively, since none of their topics could be fully addressed within a silo. Several common themes relevant to the pursuit of astronomy and preservation of the night sky emerged during the discussions leading up to and during the SATCON2 workshop.
4.1. Urgency
Throughout the SATCON2 discussions, recurring points were made about the abruptness and rapidity with which we are now transforming the night sky. A major challenge here is that industry and academia operate on different timescales. Satellite operators are working quickly and nimbly, within the competitive environment of a new frontier of opportunity, to develop and launch their fleets. In contrast, consensus in academia, especially where diverse stakeholders are involved, is a lengthy and deliberative process. Once consensus is achieved, securing the resources to implement recommendations is often an equally lengthy process of developing proposals, conducting peer review, and working with agencies to initiate funding.
This urgency is underscored by the finding from the Policy WG that astronomy and industry need to engage early in the project cycle: projects and design work proceed quickly, and astronomy needs to engage with operators promptly, often at a pace at which it does not typically operate. The Community Engagement WG echoed this need in its “duty to consult” remarks in Section 3.3.1.
Procedural and cultural adjustment among all stakeholders is necessary for combined efforts at mitigation to succeed.
4.2. Investment
The burgeoning use of LEO space creates an enormous unfunded mandate for astronomy. SatHub is a major, multifaceted effort that will require substantial funding, as is the proposed IAU Centre. The Algorithms WG was charged with developing specific recommendations for the required tools but, in the compressed time available to them, was not asked to perform a detailed requirements analysis or FTE estimate. However, even a quick scan of the required tasks makes clear that this is an effort that will require many person-years and millions of dollars. The Community Engagement WG invested substantial time engaging and facilitating discussions with its diverse member group; continuation of these conversations requires long-term support for individuals specifically tasked to do so. And development of policy requires lengthy deliberation, aided by substantial support and input from legal counsel.
Thus far, interactions between astronomy and industry on the satellite constellations issue have been carried out pro bono in the “spare time” of individuals associated with relevant committees or associated with affected observatories or institutions. While this has been adequate initially, it is not sustainable as new issues are identified and more operators begin developing and launching satellites. And it is impossible to contemplate SatHub or the IAU Centre operating with anything less than a robust dedicated staff that is well-supplied and well-supported. Since the launch of the first tranche of Starlinks in May 2019, SpaceX has invested considerable time and effort in redesigning and darkening their satellites. Analogous investment must come from astronomy and dark-sky interests if successful and meaningful collaborative work is to continue.
