South Africa has made an important leap in global astronomy. In June 2025, the country’s MeerKAT radio telescope officially joined the European Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network (EVN), creating one of the most advanced Earth-sized telescope arrays in the world. This scientific milestone significantly boosts humanity’s ability to observe the deepest parts of the universe.
At the same time, South African astronomers are raising urgent concerns about interference from satellite constellations such as SpaceX’s Starlink, which could disrupt sensitive observations carried out by the MeerKAT and the upcoming SKA-Mid telescope.
MeerKAT’s Role in Global VLBI: A Scientific Milestone
MeerKAT, operated by the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), is one of the most advanced radio telescopes globally. Located in the remote Karoo region, MeerKAT has already made significant discoveries, such as discovering new radio galaxies and helping to map the cosmic web.
Its inclusion in the EVN marks a new era in Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), where multiple telescopes across the globe work together to simulate a giant dish the size of Earth.
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With this upgrade, MeerKAT now contributes to:
- Ultra-high-resolution imaging of black holes and galactic cores
- More accurate distance measurements of distant galaxies
- Real-time tracking of fast radio bursts and pulsars
- Collaborative space science with Europe, Asia, and the Americas
This advancement also sets the stage for the full-scale deployment of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, which will be partly based in South Africa and is expected to revolutionize our understanding of the universe.
Rising Concern: Satellite Interference from Starlink
Despite the celebration, South African scientists are deeply concerned about the impact of satellite megaconstellations like Starlink on radio astronomy. Starlink currently operates more than 5,000 low-Earth orbit satellites and plans to increase this number dramatically.
Key concerns include:
- Interference in the 10.7–12.7 GHz range, which overlaps with MeerKAT’s observation band
- Signal pollution that disrupts the telescope’s ability to detect faint cosmic signals
- Increased background noise, especially during specific observation windows
According to SARAO and the SKA Observatory, this interference threatens the integrity of long-term research and data collection. Efforts are now underway to collaborate with international regulatory bodies and satellite operators to introduce mitigation strategies such as:
- Satellite avoidance zones
- Real-time signal filtering
- Regulatory constraints on downlink frequencies
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Why This Matters for Africa and the World
This development has global implications, particularly for emerging nations in the field of space science. For Africa, this dual moment—of celebration and caution—underscores the importance of:
- Building scientific capacity across the continent
- Leading in space policy and regulation
- Encouraging collaboration between governments, universities, and international observatories
The MeerKAT upgrade has already inspired regional projects, such as the Hydrogen Intensity and Real-time Analysis eXperiment (HIRAX) in South Africa and the TART telescope installation in Botswana.
Voices from the Scientific Community
Dr. Federico Di Vruno, co-director of the IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky, stated:
“We are not against progress. But the skies must remain usable for future generations of scientists. A balance must be struck.”
Dr. Rob Adam, Managing Director of SARAO, emphasized:
“Uncoordinated satellite deployments could make some radio astronomy impossible. We need global cooperation to preserve the scientific environment.”
South African scientists have demonstrated their global leadership in space science through MeerKAT’s VLBI integration. At the same time, they remind the world that technological progress must come with responsibility.
As Nigeria and other African countries grow their own astronomy programs, the story of MeerKAT offers inspiration and guidance. It is a call to invest in science, defend the integrity of research, and build regional collaboration that contributes to humanity’s shared understanding of the universe.
For more on African-led astronomy, visit https://awbnigeria.org
