On February 3, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched 49 new Starlink satellites from Florida. The following day, a geomagnetic storm intensified Earth's upper atmosphere, dramatically increasing drag and dooming most of the satellites to re-entry.
SpaceX intentionally deployed the 49 satellites into a low-Earth orbit with a perigee of just 210 kilometers. This altitude allows for rapid disposal in case of post-launch issues, with satellites typically performing maneuvers to ascend beyond 500 km. However, a geomagnetic storm changes everything.
These storms arise when solar winds interact with Earth's magnetosphere, generating currents and plasmas that heat the upper atmosphere and boost its density.
A storm struck on February 4, triggered by a January 30 solar flare, and many satellites couldn't overcome the enhanced drag.
"Onboard GPS suggests that the escalating speed and severity of the storm caused an increase in atmospheric drag up to 50% greater than that of previous launches“, SpaceX reported. "The satellites were then placed in a protective 'safe mode' and instructed to fly 'like a sheet of paper' to minimize drag effects as the company worked with US Space Force and LeoLabs to track them via ground radars“.
Despite efforts, the drag proved overwhelming. Locked in safe mode, up to 40 satellites re-entered or will re-enter Earth's atmosphere.
This Starlink mission 4-7 was SpaceX's third launch of 2022, as the company aims to shatter its annual record. The satellites were set to join over 1,800 others already in orbit.
Ultimately, SpaceX envisions a megaconstellation of more than 30,000 satellites to deliver high-speed internet worldwide, particularly to remote and underserved regions.
