Solar Storm Wipes Out 80% Of Latest Batch Of Starlinks

SpaceX
After a successful launch, a solar storm doomed most of the Starlink satellites that lifted off Feb. 3.
Credit: SpaceX
CAPE CANAVERAL—The day after a SpaceX Falcon 9 delivered a batch of 49 Starlink satellites into orbit, a solar storm struck, causing atmospheric particles from Earth to expand into space, increasing drag on the newly launched flock. Engineers reoriented the flat satellites to fly with their narrow...
Irene Klotz

Irene Klotz is Senior Space Editor for Aviation Week, based in Cape Canaveral. Before joining Aviation Week in 2017, Irene spent 25 years as a wire service reporter covering human and robotic spaceflight, commercial space, astronomy, science and technology for Reuters and United Press International.

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