SpaceX’s newest fleet of satellites is tumbling out of orbit after being struck by a solar storm
Spacex’s newest fleet of satellites is tumbling out of orbit after being struck by a solar storm.
Up to 40 of the 49 small satellites launched last week have either reentered the atmosphere and burned up, or are on the verge of doing so, the company said in an online update Tuesday night. SpaceX said a geomagnetic storm last Friday made the atmosphere denser, which increased the drag on the Starlink satellites, effectively dooming them.
Ground controllers tried to save the compact, flat-panel satellites by putting them into a type of hibernation and flying them in a way to minimize drag. But the atmospheric pull was too great, and the satellites failed to awaken and climb to a higher, more stable orbit, according to the company.SpaceX still has close to 2,000 Starlink satellites orbiting Earth and providing internet service to remote corners of the world. They circle the globe more than 340 miles up.
The satellites hit by the solar storm were in a temporary position. SpaceX deliberately launches them into this unusually low orbit so that any duds can quickly reenter the atmosphere and pose no threat to other spacecraft.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
SpaceX loses 40 Starlink satellites to a geomagnetic storm | EngadgetAlmost all of the Starlink internet satellites that a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried beyond the atmosphere on February 3rd won't reach their intended orbit..
Read more »
SpaceX says a geomagnetic storm just doomed 40 Starlink internet satellitesThe satellites launched on Feb. 3, only to be hit by the storm a day later.
Read more »
SpaceX Losing 40 Starlink Satellites To Geomagnetic StormSpaceX announced today that is in the process of losing up to 40 of its recently launched Starlink satellites due to a geomagnetic storm.
Read more »
SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage breaks up in Earth's atmosphere, 5 years after launchThe rocket stage helped heft the Echostar 23 satellite to orbit in 2017.
Read more »
SpaceX rocket stage on a collision course with the moon captured in telescope imagesThe Falcon 9 rocket stage will crash into the moon on March 4.
Read more »
SpaceX is stacking its giant Starship ahead of Elon Musk's big update this weekThe vehicle in question is slated to launch on the first-ever Starship orbital test flight.
Read more »