The Sun begins killing off Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites as scientists sound alarm
The sun’s increased activity during its current solar maximum is shortening the lifespan of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites. Solar storms are heating Earth’s atmosphere, causing it to expand and create more atmospheric drag on low-orbiting satellites. NASA researcher Denny Oliveira found that this effect can reduce satellite lifetimes by up to 10 days, forcing them to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere faster than expected. With thousands of Starlink satellites in orbit, scientists warn we may soon see daily satellite re-entries.
While problematic for SpaceX, the accelerated re-entries could help clear space debris by removing defunct satellites sooner. However, Oliveira warns some satellite fragments may survive re-entry and reach the ground, as happened last year when a 5-pound Starlink piece landed on a Canadian farm. Experts worry this could be just one of many undiscovered debris fragments posing potential risks. The situation highlights new challenges for satellite mega-constellations during periods of intense solar activity.
