A space storm knocked out 40 SpaceX satellites

Multimedia

14-02-2022, 20:24

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INA - SOURCES

In recent months, sky watchers have been treated to some of the most beautiful auroras in years as the sun enters a period of greater activity.

Moderate and strong solar storms in October and November spurred the dancing purple and green lights in Earth’s atmosphere, delighting scientists and photographers.

But last week, SpaceX witnessed a different stunning impact of the charged particles hurtling through space when 40 of their small Starlink communications satellites were knocked out a day after they launched. The loss could cost the company tens of millions of dollars.

Starlink ultimately will consist of tens of thousands of small satellites in low Earth orbit.

According to a SpaceX news release, 40 out of 49 Starlink satellites will reenter the atmosphere or already have entered after encountering a geomagnetic storm on Feb. 4.

The satellite fleet, intended to bring low-cost Internet service to remote areas of the planet, was launched on Feb. 3 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The company said the satellites are not expected to create debris or hit the ground on reentry, instead being incinerated during the fiery reentry.