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Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites are falling to Earth at an alarming rate (www.independent.co.uk)

submitted 1 week ago by pelespirit@sh.itjust.works to c/science@mander.xyz

11 comments fedilink hide all child comments

“So several times a year we’re taking these potshots at people on the Earth and fortunately so far missing. So far we’ve been very lucky, but it won’t last.”

Deorbiting Starlink satellites may not pose a risk to people, but Dr McDowell said they may still prove problematic.

Scientists are still trying to understand what impact this rate of deorbits might have on the Earth’s atmosphere.

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[–] SculptusPoe@lemmy.world 19 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

They are in low orbit and meant to de-orbit at eol. It is better they do that than stay up there really. The article throws out a lot of fear mongering language then at least it follows up with the reasons it isn't a problem mostly. Except they make it sound like these sattelites are hitting the ground , but really just some kind of space debree hits the ground. These are made to burn up and only one piece has ever been proven to hit the ground. That does mean it's possible, but still unlikely to be a problem.