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Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites are falling to Earth at an alarming rate (www.independent.co.uk)

submitted 3 weeks ago by pelespirit@sh.itjust.works to c/science@mander.xyz

11 comments fedilink hide all child comments

“So several times a year we’re taking these potshots at people on the Earth and fortunately so far missing. So far we’ve been very lucky, but it won’t last.”

Deorbiting Starlink satellites may not pose a risk to people, but Dr McDowell said they may still prove problematic.

Scientists are still trying to understand what impact this rate of deorbits might have on the Earth’s atmosphere.

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[–] Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zone 10 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

IIRC this was by design. They've got a fairly short lifespan (only a couple years i think?) before they fall.

[–] kayzeekayzee@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Why though? Isn't that super wasteful?

[–] Samskara@sh.itjust.works 10 points 3 weeks ago

The low orbit means they have more drag from the atmosphere. So to stay in orbit, the satellites need to spend fuel. That fuel runs out after a couple of years.

[–] RheumatoidArthritis@mander.xyz 6 points 3 weeks ago

It is, of course.

I think it's because of their low orbit and both the lower power required to talk to the satellite from earth, and smaller distances between satellites for meshing. It's just my guess though.