One to two Starlink satellites are falling back to Earth each day
9 hours ago
- #Starlink
- #Satellite Reentry
- #Space Debris
- 1 to 2 Starlink satellites are falling back to Earth each day, burning up in the atmosphere.
- Jonathan McDowell, a retired Harvard astrophysicist, predicts up to 5 satellite reentries per day in the future.
- There are currently over 8,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, with plans for up to 30,000 more from various companies and countries.
- Low-Earth orbit satellites have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years, leading to frequent reentries.
- High solar activity can cause premature satellite reentries by increasing atmospheric drag.
- Malfunctions, like the Falcon 9 rocket failure in July 2024, can also lead to satellite reentries.
- Reentries are often not witnessed due to Earth's large water coverage and timing issues.
- Recent Starlink reentries have been observed over California, Canada, and Texas.
- Satellite reentries introduce exotic metals into Earth's stratosphere, potentially affecting the atmosphere and ozone layer.
- The Kessler syndrome is a concern, where collisions could create a cascade of space debris.