logo
523 crashes: Musk's Starlink satellites are falling from space due to Sun's fury

523 crashes: Musk's Starlink satellites are falling from space due to Sun's fury

India Today3 days ago

Elon Musk's SpaceX has been responsible for deploying one of the biggest satellite networks in the Low Earth Orbit as it ramps up the launch of new Starlinks every week in a bid to provide global broadband coverage.However, they have come at a big consequence. The company has lost over 500 satellites in five year, a new analysis revealed.The satellites have faced the brunt of the Sun's fury during Solar Cycle 25 which has seen intense activity from the star in our Solar System with several big coronal mass ejections that have triggered geomagnetic storms on Earth and chaos for satellites in orbit.advertisement
Elon Musk's Starlink has lost 523 satellites from 2020 to 2024, the years associated with the peak of the Solar Cycle.The solar cycle is an approximately 11-year cycle that tracks the rise and fall of activity on the Sun's surface, particularly the number of sunspots — dark, cooler areas caused by magnetic activity. This cycle affects the Sun's magnetic field, solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and the overall "space weather" that impacts Earth — including disruptions to satellites, GPS, and power grids.Currently, the Sun is in maxima, a period during which the Sun is most active, sunspot counts are highest, and powerful solar flares and CMEs are more frequent.A team of scientists, led by space physicist Denny Oliveira of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center analysed the developments and wrote in a paper, "We clearly show that the intense solar activity of the current solar cycle has already had significant impacts on Starlink reentries."advertisementThe reason is the orbital decay rates (in km/day) of the satellites caused by increased drag forces from the solar radiation. It is worth mentioning that the biggest solar storm of the current cycle that hit Earth in 2024 led to instant crashing of 42 Starlink satellites that had been launched just days before into orbit.Astronomers, tracking the objects in the sky noted that in January 2025 alone, over 120 Starlink satellites re-entered Earth's atmosphere, and burned up creating spectacular fireballs.While the re-entries produce visually stunning fireballs, they also raise concerns about atmospheric pollution. The disintegration of satellites adds metallic vapours to the atmosphere.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Axiom-4 launch: Crew safety paramount, Isro insisted in review meets
Axiom-4 launch: Crew safety paramount, Isro insisted in review meets

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

Axiom-4 launch: Crew safety paramount, Isro insisted in review meets

CAPE CANAVERAL (FLORIDA): Hours after SpaceX revealed late Monday that it had detected multiple snags in the Falcon-9 rocket that was to launch the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew aboard the Dragon spacecraft, a series of meetings unfolded Tuesday and in all of them, Isro asserted that crew safety was paramount. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is part of the Ax-4 crew and is set to become only the second Indian to go to space. As part of the launch preparation, all nine engines of the first stage were to be tested together. During one of those tests, it was found that a control actuator had a glitch, and during static test fire, a liquid oxygen (LOX) leak was detected. Once this information came out on Monday, Isro was part of a meeting with all the stakeholders, where it strongly articulated its concerns about astronaut safety and wanted detailed discussions before greenlighting the launch. "That Isro team was led by chairman V Narayanan helped, given his experience, especially with cryogenic propulsion systems. After all, he helped build it for India. Isro had requested that all issues with the rocket needed to be 'resolved' before they went ahead with the launch," a source said. When contacted, Narayanan told TOI: "All I can say at this juncture is that for India and Isro, the safety of our astronaut and crew is paramount. Mission partners have decided to correct the leak and carry out necessary validation tests before clearing for the launch." When SpaceX vice-president of build and flight reliability, William Gerstenmaier, first revealed the information about the leak during a mission readiness review late on Monday, the issue was not categorised as something concerning. He said it would be resolved and the rocket would be ready for launch. However, after subsequent meetings between all partners involved in the mission, SpaceX and the other partners decided to scrub the launch, seeking "additional time for teams to repair the LOX leak.

Ax-4 crew remains upbeat, says Commander Whitson as launch is delayed
Ax-4 crew remains upbeat, says Commander Whitson as launch is delayed

India Today

time3 hours ago

  • India Today

Ax-4 crew remains upbeat, says Commander Whitson as launch is delayed

The Ax-4 crew remains upbeat despite another delay in their much-anticipated mission to the International Space Station, Mission Commander and former NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson wrote on X on Wednesday. The latest postponement comes after a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak was discovered during post-static fire inspections of the Falcon 9 booster. The rocket is set to carry Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla into orbit. advertisementPeggy Whitson, in a statement posted on social media, said setbacks and delays are a normal part of spaceflight. "Our Ax-4 crew remains upbeat and looking forward to a safe and successful flight to the Space Station," she in the day, SpaceX announced it was standing down from the June 11 launch date to allow teams additional time to address the LOx issue. Once repairs are complete and pending range availability, SpaceX will announce a revised schedule. The launch, operated by Houston-based Axiom Space, had initially been slated for May 29 but has faced multiple delays due to weather and technical concerns. The current hold extends that timeline, even as mission managers work toward ensuring safety and operational NASA has outlined a range of potential launch windows for the Ax-4 mission, offering some flexibility in the timeline. According to Dana Weigel, Manager of NASA's International Space Station Programme, launch opportunities remain open through June 30, with additional options available in mid-July following a temporary operational pause. The schedule is also dependent on planned traffic at the ISS, including the undocking of Russia's Progress cargo vehicle and the arrival of another spacecraft in early mission is particularly significant for India, as it marks a historic milestone with Shubhanshu Shukla becoming the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station. A decorated test pilot with over 2,000 hours of flight experience, Shukla will take part in scientific research aboard the ISS during the mission's planned 10-day participation highlights India's growing ambitions in human spaceflight and aligns with national efforts to boost interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among younger SpaceX continues to troubleshoot the rocket issue and coordinate with NASA, the Ax-4 mission holds strong symbolic value for both international collaboration and India's expanding role in space exploration.

NASA-approved space menu now includes grilled chicken, chocolate pudding and tomato basil soup; thanks to this Indian-origin scientist
NASA-approved space menu now includes grilled chicken, chocolate pudding and tomato basil soup; thanks to this Indian-origin scientist

Time of India

time3 hours ago

  • Time of India

NASA-approved space menu now includes grilled chicken, chocolate pudding and tomato basil soup; thanks to this Indian-origin scientist

At a time when space travel is no longer limited to elite astronauts but increasingly includes private tourists and international collaborations, the need for high-quality, nutritious, and palatable food has become more pressing than ever. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Gone are the days of bland, utilitarian pouches filled with calorie-dense mush. In its place is a new generation of gourmet-style meals that not only prioritise nutrition and safety but also reflect the diverse culinary heritages of the astronauts themselves. At the heart of this evolution is Professor , an Indian-origin American food scientist whose team has helped transform 's culinary landscape. With the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), where is set to become the first Indian astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS), this gastronomic transformation is making headlines not just for its innovation, but for the cultural pride it brings to the mission. From DJ booth to NASA lab: Meet 'Suresh Pillai' the man behind the space menu Known by night as DJ Deep Spin Prof at a Texas nightclub, Suresh Pillai by day is a globally respected microbiologist and food safety expert. As reported by the Economic Times, born in Golden Rock, Tamil Nadu, and raised by parents from Thrissur, Kerala, Pillai's academic journey took him from Madras University to a PhD in microbiology and immunology at the University of Arizona. Today, at age 63, he is not just spinning records but revolutionizing the way we think about eating in space. His lab focuses on electron beam (eBeam) technology, a form of food sterilisation without heat, which he believes is critical to developing long-shelf-life meals for missions to Mars. NASA's secret ingredient: The Indian fish curry recipe that's out of this world According to the Economic Times report, in March 2024, a NASA technical paper revealed the detailed formulation of one of its most meticulously engineered space meals: Indian-style barramundi (sea bass) fish curry. With exact proportions listed down to the hundredths of a percent - frozen barramundi (51.1%), onions (19.05%), canned diced tomatoes (11.77%), and a blend of spices like cumin, turmeric, cayenne, and coriander, the dish represents the extraordinary level of precision required in space food engineering. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Far from being a marketing gimmick, this recipe is the product of years of scientific research and development at the Food Science and Technology Department at Texas A&M University, helmed by Professor Pillai. Since 2005, Pillai's lab has contributed about 30% of the food sent to the ISS, catering not just to nutritional needs but to emotional and psychological well-being. Making meals matter in microgravity According to NASA's guidelines, about 80% of the ISS food is standard menu fare. The remaining 20% is customized, based on personal taste preferences. For Shubhanshu Shukla, this means enjoying 'ghar ka khana' home-style Indian food, thanks to collaborative planning between NASA and ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre. Indian dishes being prepared for Shukla include moong dal halwa, mango nectar, and various rice dishes. The NASA-approved ISS menu also includes beef fajitas, cheese tortellini, carrot coins, grilled chicken, and desserts like chocolate pudding and cranapple delicacy. The space galley, complete with an oven and a water dispenser, ensures meals are reheated and hydrated properly in zero gravity. How NASA plans to keep astronauts fed for 1,000 days on Mars Creating space food that lasts up to five years is no longer science fiction. With NASA targeting Mars landings in the 2030s, the challenge is enormous: limited water, no refrigeration, and near-zero resupply capability. A round trip to Mars may take over three years, with astronauts potentially needing thousands of pre-packaged meals. Key hurdles include: Shelf stability for five years or more Minimising food fatigue (repetitive meals reducing appetite) Maintaining flavor and nutrition under extreme storage conditions Pillai's focus on eBeam sterilization could hold the key to achieving these goals. His students are now working to expand this technology for full-scale deployment in NASA's long-term mission planning. The Crew of Axiom Mission 4: A global table in orbit The Axiom Mission 4 was slated to launch on June 10, 2025, from the Kennedy Space Center marking a new era of private spaceflight. In addition to Shukla, the crew includes: Peggy Whitson, US astronaut and mission commander Sławosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, European Space Agency astronaut from Poland Tibor Kapu, spaceflight participant from Hungary As per reports, they will spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS, conducting scientific research and experiencing life in microgravity while enjoying some of the most advanced space meals ever developed.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store