On February 8, 2022, SpaceX announced the loss of around 40 of the 49 Starlink satellites launched on the Starlink Group 4-7 mission from LC-39A on February 3. For spacecraft initially orbiting at low altitudes, as the Starlinks did at the time upon deployment, many factors can lead to a craft not reaching its final intended orbit.<\/p>\n
However, the loss of the Group 4-7 satellites ultimately traces back to the Sun.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The loss was due to a geomagnetic storm in Earth\u2019s magnetic field and atmosphere. In the case of the 4-7 mission, the geomagnetic storm caused Earth\u2019s atmosphere to heat, leading to a 50% increase in atmospheric density at the orbital altitude the newly-deployed Starlinks were in.<\/p>\n
This increase in atmospheric density increased the drag on the satellites, and despite SpaceX turning them edge-on to minimize drag as much as possible \u2014 a capability that is part of their larger safe mode application \u2014 the geomagnetic storm\u2019s impact proved too intense.<\/p>\n
With too much drag and rapidly decaying orbits, many of the Starlinks could not recover and reentered Earth\u2019s atmosphere. Approximately nine of the 49 Starlinks launched on the 4-7 mission survived per a SpaceX statement.<\/p>\n
Although the reentry of the Starlinks was unplanned, all v1.5 Starlinks are designed to completely disintegrate upon reentry \u2014 posing no risk to populated areas.<\/p>\n