You forgot to read the article.
Starlink satellites are deliberately launched into a low unsustainable orbit.
The reason - so any satellite that is not functioning correctly can be immediately de-orbited and burned up.
The healthy satellites are then maneuvered into a higher permanent orbit.
The timing of the storm required them to put all 49 satellites into safe mode at their lower orbit. 40 satellites are expected to de-orbit and burn up.
guilty