There have never been so many satellites orbiting Earth as there are today, thanks in part to the launch of mega constellations like SpaceX's Starlink internet service - and now we are learning just how the sun's activity can affect them
I reread the article, I reckon it’s about satellites in general deorbiting faster to avoid a Kessler syndrome scenario
Sean Elvidge at the University of Birmingham, UK, says this effect could benefit satellite operators like SpaceX by removing dead satellites from orbit more quickly that could otherwise pose a danger to other satellites. “It’s speeding up that process,” he says. However, it could limit our ability to operate satellites in orbits below 400 kilometres, known as very low Earth orbit. “It shows that could be challenging,” he says.
They can deorbit them at any time though?
As far as I’m aware, yes. Maybe the article meant they could use less fuel to do so?
any fuel is… already in space, it’s not like they’re getting it back if they don’t use it
I just looked it up, and yes they deorbit the satellites, but their re-entry orbit takes up to six months. So speeding that up does seem advantageous.
I reread the article, I reckon it’s about satellites in general deorbiting faster to avoid a Kessler syndrome scenario