SpaceX lost about 40 Starlink satellites to a storm

Photo: screenshot

Falcon 9 launch with a batch of Starlink mini-satellites

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A geomagnetic storm caused the air resistance to become 50% stronger, which prevented the newly launched satellites from correcting their orbit.

SpaceX lost about 40 of the 49 Starlink Internet satellites it put into orbit Feb. 3. The cause was a geomagnetic storm, according to the company’s website.

“Preliminary analysis showed that increased drag at low altitudes prevented the satellites from exiting safe mode and beginning orbit correction, about 40 satellites will return or have already returned to Earth’s atmosphere,” the company said in a statement.

They also noted that the storm caused air resistance to become 50 percent greater than on previous launches. Specialists decided to put the mini-satellites in a safe mode, in which they moved “sideways” in orbit to reduce drag, but these measures did not help.

According to the company, the descended satellites posed no threat to other satellites and were designed to burn up as they entered Earth’s atmosphere.

Recall, The launch of 49 Starlink satellites on Feb. 3 SpaceX had its 37th launch since May 2019.

On the same day. SpaceX launches secret spy satellite NROL-87 of the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

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