Taking to social media, a Google Earth user shared an image of a Starlink satellite photobombing an aerial map image. The image in question isn’t like any other, as the speed of the orbiting satellite makes the image even more unique.

A Starlink Satellite Poses For A Quick Picture While In Orbit

In an X post on 12 April 2025, user SpaceBasedFox shared three Google Earth images on his page, with all three showing objects photobombing the satellite imagery. One of the images and the subject of focus was a Starlink satellite, and it stood out from the other two images.

This isn’t the first time that imagery satellites have captured Starlink satellites while in orbit. But this time, the image from Google Earth gives a glimpse into the velocity of the satellite.

The X users say that the satellite’s “Relative velocity was so high that the chromatic aberration on the image isn’t even overlapping. In comparison with the other two images, the green, red, and blue colours are far away from the Starlink satellite as it orbits at a speed of 17,000 miles per hour.

Another explanation for the chromatic aberration, according to Jonathan McDowell, is that the Airbus satellite that took the photo used a different spectral band. There are also questions about whether this is a Starlink satellite or a Chinese Ziyuan-3-2.

The confusion exists because this image was taken on 30 November 2024 above northern Texas. On this same day, the Chinese Ziyuan-3-2 also orbited that region, for now, there is no confirmation from Starlink regarding this matter.

Starlink Satellites Continue To Populate Space

Elon Musk’s Starlink service is rapidly growing in various regions worldwide. Despite the setback that the satellite connectivity service currently faces in some European regions, Starlink is still the choice of millions worldwide.

To meet the demand globally, Elon Musk’s firm boasts having 6750 Starlink satellites in orbit as of 27 February 2025. On 12 April 2025, the firm launched 21 new satellites into orbit with plans to launch more satellites within the year.