Starlink internet satellite launched into low Earth orbit – Photo: Shutterstock
Data compiled by Satellitemap.space shows that Starlink, the internet satellite constellation operated by aerospace company SpaceX, lost 212 satellites between July 18 and September 18.
The data shows that the number of burned satellites has increased steadily over the past 3 years, but the peak of the phenomenon only began in July. Due to this incident, the company may suffer a loss of approximately USD 100 million.
It is currently unclear whether these satellites were lost from Earth’s orbit, damaged or burned up by the solar storm. news page cybernews SpaceX has been contacted for comment but has not received a response.
Starlink satellites are designed to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere at the end of their life, which is about five years.
SpaceX – billionaire Elon Musk’s company – began launching Starlink satellites in 2019. Since then, more than 5,000 satellites have been placed in low Earth orbit. Of the satellites launched, there are currently about 4,500 active satellites.
Satellites can also be vulnerable to solar storms, with powerful flares being recorded this summer when the Sun enters a period of intense activity.
These solar events have affected Starlink. In February 2022, SpaceX said it lost 40 new satellites shortly after launch due to an electromagnetic storm from the Sun.
(TagstoTranslate)Satellite(T)Starlink(T)Earth’s orbit(T)Atmosphere(T)Solar storm(T)SpaceX(T)Electromagnetic storm(T)Elon Musk(T)Internet satellite
