Deorbit

SpaceX has announced plans to deorbit a significant number of early model Starlink satellites due to an unspecified defect, highlighting the complexities and risks associated with massive satellite networks in low Earth orbit…

An unspecified defect in early model Starlink satellites has prompted SpaceX to preemptively deorbit the units before they potentially fail and become hazards in low Earth orbit. While the company remains confident that the deorbiting of these problematic units will prevent any issues, this incident underscores the challenges and uncertainties in navigating the realm of gigantic satellite networks.Astronomers Could Soon Get Warnings When SpaceX Satellites Threaten Their ViewThe deorbiting of Starlink satellites is a…

NASA has shared new details about its ISS deorbit plan. The International Space Station is currently orbiting our planet, with ongoing scientific missions to continue until the end of the 2020s. Then, in 2030, NASA will use a “space tug” to help bring the ISS down to Earth, where it will crash into the Pacific Ocean, resting at the bottom of the sea. It’s an intriguing plan that NASA has had in the works for several months. However, the space agency originally planned to use Russian spacecraft to help navigate…

A growing number of satellites in low Earth orbit is increasing the chances of collisions in space.Illustration: ESA The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a draft order that would require satellites to reenter Earth’s atmosphere just five years after their missions end, rather than the current 25-year deadline, in what is an effort to reduce space junk. FCC released the order on Thursday and is scheduled to take it up on September 29 for a scheduled open meeting. The draft order recommends the disposal of…