Spacex Just Lost Up To 80 Percent Of Its Recently-Launched Starlink Satellites — Here's Why

Summary

This article by Mike Brown, writing for Inverse, makes the following points:

• SpaceX announced on 8 February that up to 40 of the 49 satellites in its most recent launch wouldn’t make their final destination.
• Instead of reaching low-Earth orbit, as planned, the satellites will re-enter the atmosphere and burn up.
• According to SpaceX, the satellites got mixed up in a geomagnetic storm. The resulting atmospheric drag pulled the satellites back to Earth.
• It’s a disappointing setback for SpaceX, which plans to build a mega-constellation in low-Earth orbit, using up to 42,000 satellites.
• There are currently about 1900 Starlink satellites in orbit, with Spacex launching more than 2000 satellites in total.

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References

Recent Runway Posts related to this topic:

• 'SPACE' (Operating in and use of) 01: COLLECTION | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
• Alternative Link: 'SPACE' (Operating in and use of) 01: COLLECTION

References from the Web:

• FEB 2022 SpaceX to lose up to 40 Starlink satellites after geomagnetic storm—The Guardian
• FEB 2022 Fiery death of SpaceX Starlink satellites captured on video after geomagnetic storm—Space.com
• FEB 2022 Starlink explained: Everything you should know about Elon Musk's satellite internet venture—CNET   

Source Inverse:

• Article Source: Inverse
• Media Check: Inverse - Media Bias/Fact Check (mediabiasfactcheck.com)
• RAAF RUNWAY: RATIONALE, GUIDELINES, LEARNING OUTCOMES, ETC | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)