SpaceX lost about 40 Starlink satellites due to geomagnetic storm
Moscow. February 9. INTERFAX.RU - The American private aerospace company SpaceX lost about 40 Starlink Internet satellites out of 49 launched into orbit on February 3, as a result of a geomagnetic storm, the company reported on its website. "Preliminary analysis showed that the increased resistance at low altitudes did not allow the satellites to leave safe mode and begin orbit correction, about 40 satellites will return or have already returned to the Earth's atmosphere," the company said in a statement. The company noted that due to the storm, air resistance has become 50% stronger than with previous launches. Experts decided to transfer the mini-satellites to a safe mode, in which they moved in orbit "sideways" to reduce resistance, but these measures did not help. According to the company, the devices that have deorbited do not pose a threat to other satellites and are designed to burn up upon entry into the Earth's atmosphere. The launch of 49 Sta...