Astronomy v the Billionaires' Space Race

Fri Feb 13 2026 at 06:00 pm to 07:00 pm UTC+13:00

Rutherford House | Wellington

Anne French
Publisher/HostAnne French
Astronomy v the Billionaires' Space Race
Advertisement
With nearly 10,000 Starlink satellites in space, are there too many to see the stars properly? Astronomers are worried.
About this Event

The billionaire space race is well under way. SpaceX has already launched 10,000 satellites. You can easily see them with the naked eye. The company plans to launch another 30,000 satellites - but they are already having an impact on astronomy.

Starlink satellites are the number one source of collision hazard in Earth's orbit. Each one weighs 800 kg. They are also a hazard to us on Earth. Our speaker, Dr Samantha Lawler, lives on Canada's prairies, and has been studying the proliferation of satellites in orbit over the past few years. She was stunned to learn how often space debris falls close to her home.

Find out what happens when you find space debris on your farm and silent SpaceX employees show up in a rented truck to collect it.

The race between SpaceX, Blue Origin, and others has important implications for international law, the continued operation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit, atmospheric pollution, and the future of astronomy, as Dr Samantha Lawler will explain.

Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Rutherford House, 33 Bunny Street, Wellington, New Zealand

Tickets

NZD 0.00

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Wellington

Jet | Wellington
Fri, 13 Feb at 09:00 am Jet | Wellington

Meow

Authentic Dating Wellington
Fri, 13 Feb at 09:30 am Authentic Dating Wellington

31 Hobson Cres, Thorndon, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

D'Things N Such
Fri, 13 Feb at 09:30 am D'Things N Such

1 Taranaki Street, Wellington, New Zealand 6011

Miss Tui Whanganui 2009 NZ FRINGE
Fri, 13 Feb at 10:00 am Miss Tui Whanganui 2009 NZ FRINGE

Wellington CBD

The Beatles Dub Club @ The NZ Fringe 2026
Fri, 13 Feb at 11:00 am The Beatles Dub Club @ The NZ Fringe 2026

The Gods - Paramount

Jet in Wellington
Fri, 13 Feb at 07:00 pm Jet in Wellington

meow NUI

Valentines Prize Bingo
Fri, 13 Feb at 09:00 pm Valentines Prize Bingo

Wellington Rugby Club

Wellington Gypsy Fair
Fri, 13 Feb at 11:00 pm Wellington Gypsy Fair

Frank Kitts Park

Wellington Centreboard Regatta 2026 incorp. Wellington ICLA Champs
Fri, 13 Feb at 11:00 pm Wellington Centreboard Regatta 2026 incorp. Wellington ICLA Champs

Worser Bay Boating Club, Marine Parade, Seatoun, Wellington

Intro to Clicker Training \u2013 Level 1
Fri, 13 Feb at 11:00 pm Intro to Clicker Training – Level 1

Ohariu Valley

Mind and Body Birth Prep 14th and 15th February 2026
Fri, 13 Feb at 11:15 pm Mind and Body Birth Prep 14th and 15th February 2026

Te Kura O Tawatawa Ridgway School, 120 Mornington Rd, Wellington

Wellington is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Wellington Events