FCC Letter-Writing Campaign Targets AST's BlueWalker 3
AST SpaceMobile's BlueWalker 3 satellite has become the subject of a regulatory letter-writing campaign, with numerous filings in docket 23-65. Monday saw more than 20 posted in the FCC docket complaining about satellites impacting astronomy. Many of the letters singled out BlueWalker 3 as "so bright that it could actually damage sensitive cameras in research telescopes at its peak brightness" and said that masses of such satellites in orbit will limit astronomy. Multiple letters (for example, here) urge that the agency consider brightness in any satellite approval process. None of the letters, purportedly filed by individuals, indicates if an organization is spearheading the letter-writing work, and many contain identical or near-identical wording. AST didn't comment Monday.