SpaceX lost 40 satellites to solar storm, estimated cost of $10 to $20 million

After a solar storm, Starlkink lost 40 satellites. The loss came to a naturally occurring phenomenon. Electromagnetic storms happen when our sun emits massive outbursts of energy. These solar storms are not an unusual occurrence by any stretch, but what is out of the ordinary is for one to down so many satellites in one solar incident.

Solar storms are responsible for Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. While they are not immediately dangerous to our health, they do have the potential to disrupt our power grids and communications. These electromagnetic storms that are caused by solar flare-ups are also hazardous to satellites.

 

What Happened to the Starlink Satellites

 

The satellites had been launched on February the 3rd. The data indicated that they had achieved controlled flight at approximately 130 miles from the ground, however, the next day the geomagnetic storm hit.

According to the GPS onboard the satellites, the onset of the storm caused atmospheric drag to increase substantially. Starlink did take action at the time, maneuvering the satellites into a “safe mode”. The idea behind this move is that the satellites minimize drag, flying on their edge in hopes of returning to orbit.

They never made it back.

40 satellites re-entered the earth’s atmosphere as a result of this event.

 

Cost of Starlink Satellite Incident Unknown

 

In a statement released Starlink said, “the satellites deployed on Thursday (February 3) were significantly impacted by a geomagnetic storm on February 4”.

While Starlink doesn’t release the costs of its satellites, it has been speculated that they cost between $250, 000 – $500, 000. If those numbers are accurate, that would put the cost of the satellites lost at $10 – 20 million, not accounting for lost revenue, stock, rebuilding, etc.

In the world of astronomy, this is a major event. While these storms are a normal occurrence, having a single storm take out this many satellites is unheard of.

 

What Do Starlink Satellites Do?

 

These low orbiting satellites are intended to provide broadband internet services to places where it is impossible to do so via a cable. The service is fairly expensive. For places like the island nation of Tonga, which had its seafloor data cable destroyed by an earthquake recently, Starlink proves useful. The satellites themselves, however, are not without controversy.

They are very bright and orbit lower than most satellites. This makes them very visible and they have even been criticized for disrupting space observation efforts.

 

No-Risk to People on Earth

The good news seems to be that the satellites aren’t expected to reach earth. According to the UK Space Agency’s Head of Space Surveillance Jacob Greer, they will simply burn up in the atmosphere. A $20 million meteor shower, courtesy of Elon Musk and his shareholders – though the company cannot be faulted for the incident.

Achieving orbit and space travel, while becoming more routine, is not an easy task to accomplish. This occurrence highlights the challenges of operating in space.

 

NOTES

[1] BBC News

[2] Britannica Encyclopedia “Space X”

[3] Fortune Magazine

 

 

Did you miss this?

Other Popular Stories

  • National Energy Board not doing enough to ensure pipeline safety: report
  • Researchers Create Negative Mass Superconductor
  • Federal government urged to speak up for nuclear at Paris climate talks
  • Oil drags capital spending down, though some bright spots remain: Statistics Canada
  • Canada's auto sales soar; Toyota passes 100K mark for hybrids
  • New CEO chosen to take over Waterfront Toronto
  • Lower Model 3 prices can't prevent Tesla's slide by 3% after deliveries fail to impress; Tesla opens orders to Europe and China
  • Magna International acquires German transmission giant
  • New wind farm approved near Lake Huron shore
  • CAE USA wins $200 million contract for Army training
  • Final testing of Bombardier's C Series to begin
  • More engineers, fewer arts grads needed in Canada: CIBC
  • Supply of oil at record highs, at 100 million barrels a day for the “first time ever”; expected to grow
  • Number of reported pipeline spills in Canada doubled over ten years
  • Aerospace is to Quebec what auto industry is to Ontario, and must be supported: Couillard
  • Magna to acquire British auto body firm Stadco
  • Industrial chemicals producers report second-most profitable year
  • Mercedes to cut emissions from cars and their production in half by 2030
  • Wholesale trade saw healthy gains in 2014: Statistics Canada
  • Cap and trade law passes in Ontario, carbon pricing set to begin
Scroll to Top