SpaceX loses its satellites due to a geomagnetic storm
last week , SpaceXspace company Elon Musk, launched 49 satellites into space. However, the company lost almost all of them: 40 pieces of such equipment were struck by a magnetic storm.
The phenomenon that destroyed the devices occurs when the atmosphere heats up and increases in density, “pulling” anything in its orbit. The satellites affected by the storm must be re-entered or they may have re-entered the planet. Initially, the devices were programmed to avoid this type of event, however, according to SpaceX, they were not able to perform safety maneuvers in a timely manner.
According to the company, the satellites were affected the day after their launch, and posed no danger to Earth. By default, devices are in low orbits so they go into safe mode in rare cases where they don’t pass initial system tests. This is done so that they do not reach high orbits and become space junk.
SpaceX said on its website: “Satellites launched on Thursday 3rd were significantly affected by a geomagnetic storm on Friday 4. Preliminary analysis shows that increased drag at lower altitudes prevented satellites from leaving orbit. Safe mode for orbit lift start. Maneuvers and return to the Earth’s atmosphere.”
It is possible that the equipment has already entered the atmosphere over the Caribbean recently. Cameras watching the sky over Puerto Rico from Caribbean Astronomy SocietyI picked up what looks like space debris.
The launched satellites are intended to provide internet as part of Starlink Projectwhich consists of transmitting high-speed Internet through several satellites in orbit.
This isn’t SpaceX’s first loss of equipment. In February 2015, the company launched a rocket as part of a mission to send the DSCOVR weather satellite into space, but it was left stuck there.
After spending seven years cruising in space, the rocket is expected to hit the moon in the coming weeks, according to data collected by astronomers. The information was initially published on the US website Ars Technica.
