On January 28, 2025, astronomers initially celebrated the discovery of a new celestial body, only to realize it was the Tesla Roadster launched by SpaceX in 2018. This vehicle, part of a demonstration for the Falcon Heavy rocket, is currently orbiting Earth with a mannequin named Starman inside, referencing David Bowie's song.
The error was swiftly corrected through collaboration between professional and amateur astronomers. Julia de León from the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias noted that such mix-ups are not unprecedented; a similar incident occurred in 2020 when an object identified as 2020 SO turned out to be a lost NASA rocket from 1966.
This incident raises concerns about the increasing amount of space debris and satellites in orbit. De León highlighted issues faced by the scientific community due to satellite constellations, particularly those launched by companies like SpaceX for their Starlink project, which aims to provide global internet access.
A recent study from Nanjing University in China identified over 1,400 Starlink satellites in less than 12 hours using artificial intelligence algorithms. Unlike Earth-orbiting satellites, which are regulated by national and international agencies, deep space lacks clear regulations, likened by De León to the open sea where 'the one who arrives sets the rules.'
This situation poses challenges for scientists, who must contend with interference from these objects during observations. De León mentioned ongoing efforts to explore methods for more efficient identification and removal of space debris, acknowledging the complexity of the issue and the time required for effective solutions.