Solar storms are killing SpaceX's Starlink satellites, says NASA
SMRTR summary
Solar storms are reducing satellite lifespans in Earth's orbit, particularly affecting SpaceX's Starlink fleet. Geomagnetic storms during solar maximum cause atmospheric expansion, increasing drag and accelerating satellite re-entry. This has shortened satellite lifetimes by up to 10 days. Over 500 Starlink satellites re-entered Earth's atmosphere between 2020 and 2024, some just five days after launch. While faster re-entries can help remove defunct satellites, they risk incomplete burn-up, as shown by Starlink debris found in Canada in 2024.
SMRTR provides this summary for quick context. The original article belongs to NewsBytes.
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