SpaceX, Elon Musk's company, plans to de-orbit one hundred first-generation Starlink satellites, citing a potential defect that could cause the satellites to fail completely. This step is designed to prevent possible trouble in the future. This is reported by the PCMag site.
Although SpaceX claims that the event will not affect the communication of Starlink customers, the deployment of one hundred satellites is intended to ensure the safety and stability of the space network in the future. Since the Starlink network has more than 5,400 satellites, the company notes that other devices provide sufficient coverage and continue to function normally.
"Starlink satellites are fully de-orbitable, meaning that the risk to anyone on the ground, in the air or at sea from a de-orbiting satellite is virtually zero, as the satellites burn up on re-entry into the atmosphere ", - stated in SpaceX.
The company also emphasized its "commitment to space sustainability," noting that each Starlink satellite is equipped with an autonomous collision avoidance system and ion thrusters for maneuvering in orbit. According to SpaceX, atmospheric drag would cause the satellites to deorbit and burn up in the atmosphere in five years or less, even if the engine's maneuverability is lost.
While SpaceX did not disclose the specific flaw in the first Starlink satellites, it said the Starlink team identified a common problem in a small number of satellites that could increase the likelihood of future failures.
The Starlink network, which aims to provide broadband Internet access anywhere on the planet, has already launched 406 satellites. Of this number, 95% of the satellites have now been de-orbited, and some have been decommissioned due to malfunctions or hardware deficiencies.
