SpaceX just lost a few dollars

[PeoplesElbow]

40 of their satellite s came plummeting to earth.

Geomagnetic storm sends 40 SpaceX satellites plummeting to Earth

The satellites were hit by the storm just one day after launch.

www.livescience.com

 

[Sneakers]

Nutz. That's a big loss.

This is probably going to push the mid-year target for internet here further to the right.

 

[glhs837]

Yeah, tough break. Nice thing that they keep them low for health checks before going higher. And that they are all made such that no component survives reentry.

 

[Clem72]

Well they got ~20 percent of the launch functional, so it's not a total loss. Also they learned something, maybe the staging orbit needs to be a little higher than 130m.

 

[glhs837]

Well they got ~20 percent of the launch functional, so it's not a total loss. Also they learned something, maybe the staging orbit needs to be a little higher than 130m.

I think thats chosen so if there is any that are DOA and dont respond to health checks, they come right back down instead of making more of an orbit where they might cause issues.

 

[Clem72]

I think thats chosen so if there is any that are DOA and dont respond to health checks, they come right back down instead of making more of an orbit where they might cause issues.

Welp, then they have a data-point about how much extra drag a geomagnetic storm can produce. Time to increase the propellant per satellite (or run the numbers of potential losses vs extra cost for propellent).

Extra weight likely to be less of an issue when they start launching them with starship.

 

[glhs837]

Welp, then they have a data-point about how much extra drag a geomagnetic storm can produce. Time to increase the propellant per satellite (or run the numbers of potential losses vs extra cost for propellent).

Extra weight likely to be less of an issue when they start launching them with starship.

Its a numbers game as you say. If the cost to mitigate this is more than the cost of the lost sats, then no action is required. And yes, Starship make a world of difference. Might be they have a design change already laid out for the increased space and weight allotment.

 

[stgislander]

The geomagnetic storm experienced by the satellites came from solar wind kicked out by a Jan. 30 coronal mass ejection — an eruption of the sun.

How about they don't launch when they know a geomagnetic storm is coming.

 

[glhs837]

How about they don't launch when they know a geomagnetic storm is coming.

I think the exact atmospheric result of that storm was not predictable. And there is risk in delaying. Schedules are tight. They have an insane launch cadence this year, and pushing too far can cause cascade effects on the whole scehdule.

 

[Sneakers]

How about they don't launch when they know a geomagnetic storm is coming.

I guess someone didn't think it would be a problem.

I also guess someone may be looking for a new position.