Space X Starlink was hit by a solar storm, destroying 40 satellites and losing at least $128 million

Extremely eye news reporter Zhang Yang

Intern Fang Ziyi

Affected by solar storms, the satellite constellation of Space X in the United States, Starchain, is de-orbiting and falling into the atmosphere and burning.

According to the Associated Press, the company issued its latest statement on the evening of February 7, saying that of the 49 satellites launched last week, at least 40 had entered the atmosphere and been burned. According to data released by SpaceX, the cost of a single satellite of StarLink is close to $500,000 (including launch costs). As a result, preliminary estimates are that the loss of the satellite itself alone would amount to $20 million (about 128 million yuan), while the loss of communications and other stealth losses caused by it cannot be calculated.

In addition, the company claims that each satellite weighs less than 260 kilograms, and neither the falling nor the satellites in orbit pose any danger.

Space X is launching a rocket

When hit by solar storms, the satellites were in a "temporary position." In order not to threaten other satellites and to facilitate the entry of waste into the atmosphere, the company deliberately launched satellites into unusually low orbits.

Space Exploration Technologies said a magnetic storm on Friday made the atmosphere denser, increasing the resistance of satellites to operate and dooming the satellites to be destroyed. Geomagnetic storms are caused by intense activity such as solar flares, which can rush the plasma streams in the sun's corona into space and toward Earth.

Ground control groups have tried to put the satellite into dormancy and fly in a way that minimizes drag. But due to excessive resistance, the satellites eventually failed to wake up and enter a higher, more stable orbit.

At present, the company still has nearly 2,000 satellites orbiting the earth at an altitude of about 550 kilometers, providing Internet services to remote areas around the world.

Since the launch of the first satellites in 2019, the company's chief consul, Elon Musk, has envisioned building a giant network of thousands of satellites to expand and enhance the company's Internet services. Not long ago, the volcanic eruption in Tonga led to a loss of contact with the outside world, and the company also tried to restore the network through this system.

In addition to Space X, London-based One Web also has its own separate internet satellites, and Amazon plans to launch satellites later this year.

However, astronomers are distressed by these many satellites, because they reflect light and thus disrupt nighttime observations on Earth. The International Astronomical Union is forming a new center to protect "dark skies."

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