A software upgrade and a new design for the spacecraft are intended to reduce the interference for astronomers. Thursday 7 May 2020 13:13, UK Image: Elon Musk has said the satellite venture is a 'stepping stone' to fund projects such as a city on Mars Why you can trust Sky News SpaceX plans to make its satellites "generally invisible to the naked eye within a week of launch" following complaints about light pollution. The company's billionaire founder Elon Musk had denied claims that the eventual 12,000-strong fleet could ruin the night sky for astronomers. But it has now said it will darken the satellites with a software upgrade so they will fly with their "knife-edge" to the sun to minimise reflections. Image: SpaceX Starlink 5 passing above Svendborg, Denmark, on 21 April Future satellites will also be launched with a visor that can block sunlight from hitting the brightest parts of the spacecraft. Astronomers expressed concern about the project despite Mr Musk's claims that reflections would not interfere with their work. The satellites are meant to orbit at around 550km, but before they reach this position they can be especially visible when sun reflects off their solar panels and the spacecraft's body. SpaceX expects at any given time there will be 300 satellites heading for their operational orbit, and even when "on-station" the solar arrays can still cause interference for astronomers. More on Spacex