One hundred starlink satellites will be removed from orbit due to a possible defect: what will happen to the Armed Forces connection

According to SpaceX, the event will not affect the clients of Starlink. Despite the fact that the network loses 100 satellites, in total it now operates more than 5400 devices that insure each other, providing the coverage. They are still in operation now - SpaceX has decided to remove them from orbit, as long as possible, instead of risking the network in the event of a failure.

"Starlink's satellites are completely suitable for withdrawal from orbit, which means that the risk to those on Earth, in the air or in the sea from the satellite coming from orbit, actually zero, since satellites burn while entering the atmosphere" , - SpaceX said. The company emphasized its "commitment to space stability". SpaceX says the Starlink network has been designed to prevent possible risks.

Each satellite has an autonomous collision avoidance system as well as ionic engines so that it can maneuver into the orbit of the Earth. Atmospheric resistance will cause the Starlink satellites to get off the orbit and burn in the atmosphere in five years or less, even if the engine maneuver is lost. SpaceX did not talk about the specific drawback of the first Starlink satellites.

It is only noted that the Starlink team has found a common problem in a small number of satellites, which may increase the likelihood of refusal in the future. "Satellites will perform a safe, cyclic and controlled lowering operation, which will last about six months for most vehicles. All satellites will retain maneuver and the ability to avoid collisions during descent," the company added. . SpaceX says she has already removed 406 satellites from the orbit.

95% of these satellites have already left orbit. Of these, 17 are currently small, passively blurred, but are tracked to reduce the risk of contact with other active satellites. SpaceX's applications to FCC indicate that some of these Starlink satellites, which previously got off orbit, were decommissioned due to malfunctions or hardware defects found in the equipment. The Starlink network seems large and stable, but in some places it cannot cope with the load.