Jeff Bezos' Amazon Leo satellites disrupt astronomy, like Starlink

A recent study has found that Amazon’s new internet satellite constellation, Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), is likely to disrupt astronomical research, similar to the well-documented interference caused by SpaceX’s Starlink satellites. Amazon currently operates about 180 Leo satellites in low Earth orbit, with plans to expand to over 3,200. The study analyzed around 2,000 observations and concluded that these satellites exceed the brightness limits recommended by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), with an average apparent magnitude of 6.28. Although this brightness is below the naked-eye visibility threshold, it still interferes with telescopic observations, contributing to growing concerns about space congestion and the impact on astronomy. While Amazon’s satellites are slightly dimmer than Starlink’s, their lower orbital altitudes—planned to decrease from 630 to 590 kilometers—will likely increase their brightness and visibility, exacerbating the problem. The issue extends beyond astronomy; NASA has warned that Starlink’s mega-