SpaceX may have lost over 200 Starlink satellites in just two months

Data indicates that SpaceX may have lost over 200 Starlink satellites in just two months.

According to data from a satellite tracking website, SpaceX has suffered the loss of more than 200 Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) since July.

This marks the first time that Starlink has experienced a significant satellite loss in such a short timeframe, typically attributed to the impact of solar flares, which can disrupt orbits and damage or destroy spacecraft.

It is currently unclear what type of satellites these are, in terms of their models. If they are newer Starlink satellites regularly launched by SpaceX, the company will need to conduct at least 9 Falcon 9 launches to compensate for the lost satellites.

As a subsidiary of SpaceX, Starlink rapidly established itself as the world’s largest LEO satellite internet constellation and the largest satellite constellation overall, thanks to fast launches using Falcon 9 rockets. However, due to spacecraft upgrades and Falcon 9’s limitations, the number of satellites SpaceX can launch has decreased, with recent launches carrying approximately 22 satellites, a decrease of nearly one-third from the 60 satellites launched by SpaceX in the early stages of Starlink deployment.

The newer satellites belong to the second generation of spacecraft, for which SpaceX received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launch authorization less than a year ago. They are more powerful and larger, which limits Falcon 9’s ability to squeeze a large number of satellites into a single payload fairing.

Satellites in orbit or space must contend with various risks that could damage or render them inoperable. In February 2022, SpaceX faced a similar situation when solar flares damaged at least 40 of its recently launched satellites. SpaceX confirmed this and stated that the increased heat from solar flares raised atmospheric density, causing the satellites to lose their orbits.

However, if the data from the satellite tracking website satellitemap.space is accurate, SpaceX may need to accelerate its launch cadence. The website tracks the total number of launched Starlink satellites, the number currently operational, the number that have ceased operation, and the number that have burned up.

The data shows that as of July 15th, 353 Starlink satellites had burned up in the atmosphere, but according to the latest readings, this number has surged by over 200, reaching 568 burned satellites. In comparison, only 248 satellites had burned up in the first seven months of the year, so the number of satellites lost in the past two months exceeds the total for the preceding seven months.

In the weeks following Starlink satellites becoming victims of solar flares, SpaceX provided detailed insights into the measures it has taken to ensure satellite sustainability. It explained that the satellites have features such as “collision avoidance” and the ability to retract solar panels in the event of a collision. SpaceX also added that the satellites’ low orbits reduce the chances of polluting Earth’s orbit because they burn up in the atmosphere rather than lingering in orbit for years and eventually losing altitude due to gravity.

SpaceX regularly submits updated information about the health of its constellation to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), but these reports are filed every six months, so data on the satellites lost since July is unlikely to be available soon. Amazon subsidiary Kuiper, which is poised to become a competitor, hopes to launch experimental satellites soon, while SpaceX has committed to launching a portion of its second-generation satellites on schedule to avoid fines, as per its agreement with the FCC.