Affected by a magnetic storm, up to 40 starlink satellites re-entered the atmosphere

SpaceX launched at 2:13 a.m. Beijing time on February 4, and as many as 40 satellites re-entered the atmosphere due to the impact of geomagnetic storms.

Source: SpaceX

Also cover image from: MARIANA SUAREZ/AFP

The Falcon 9 secondary rocket deploys the Starlink satellites into a predetermined orbit of about 210 kilometers from perigee, with each satellite capable of controlled flight. The satellite operates in such a low predetermined orbit to ensure that, in rare cases, the satellite does not pass the initial system checkouts and is quickly de-orbited due to atmospheric resistance.

SpaceX said in an official statement that this would require stronger satellites for them, which would increase costs accordingly, but maintain a sustainable space environment and was the right thing to do.

Unfortunately, the satellites deployed in lower orbits were severely affected by magnetic storms the next day, resulting in warming of the atmosphere and an increase in atmospheric density, the spaceborne GPS showed that the magnetic storm caused a 50% increase in atmospheric resistance compared to before launch, and the Starlink team ordered the satellites to enter safe mode, in which the satellites could fly edge-on, just like a piece of paper, which could minimize drag and effectively "dodge the storm".

SpaceX continues to work closely with space Force's 18th Space Control Squadron and LeoLabs to understand satellite dynamics based on ground-based radar. Preliminary analysis shows that due to the increase in atmospheric resistance, the Starlink satellites cannot be prevented from leaving safe mode, and the orbital maneuvering cannot be improved, and up to 40 satellites can re-enter the atmosphere, will not collide with other satellites, and there will be no debris falling to the ground.

At around 2:40 a.m. local time on February 7, meteor surveillance cameras at the Caribbean Astronomical Society (SAC) recorded space debris re-entering the atmosphere, and several of the debris may have been related to the starlink satellites affected by the magnetic storm. It is worth mentioning that the rate at which space debris re-enters the atmosphere, much slower than meteors, is also spectacular, and the video comes from kevinizooropa.

reference:

https://www.spacex.com/updates/