Geomagnetic storm sees satellites burn up

News & Press: Space

10 February 2022 (0 Comments)

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3 February saw SpaceX launch 49 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit; but many have already burnt out.

A geomagnetic storm during the following day, 4 February, caused substantially increased density of the Earth's atmosphere, and hence the drag experienced by the still-low satellites. As a result, up to 40 of the spacecraft are expected to have burnt out within a couple of weeks.

The satellites were launched into a 53.2º inclined orbit, so observers between around 53ºN and 53ºS might witness them burning.

The earliest record of a solar flare impacting Earth was the ‘Carrington Event’ of 1859, which disrupted telegraph comms as well as causing fires due to discharges from lines. Many later reports have been noted, with at least 3 this century, causing loss of both comms and navigation signals.

Further details and image from Space.com