Solar Storm Sinks SpaceX Satellites

[Copper]

SpaceX Satellites Falling Out of Orbit After Solar Storm

The company reports that up to 40 of the 49 small Internet-service satellites launched last week have either reentered the atmosphere and burned up, or are about to do so

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.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/spacex-satellites-falling-out-of-orbit-after-solar-storm/2966516/?_osource=SocialFlowFB_DCBrand

[Axtremus]

We and our creations really aren’t doing that well against the elements outside the protection of Earth’s magnetosphere.

[George K]

The article also says that the satellites were "parked" in a low earth orbit before being boosted up into their permanent orbits. Storm hit while they were parked low, and close to the atmosphere.