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Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites fall to Earth at record pace, scientists raise alarm
Interesting Engineering ^ | 10/09/2025 | Neetika Walter

Posted on 10/11/2025 7:45:44 PM PDT by aimhigh

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1 posted on 10/11/2025 7:45:44 PM PDT by aimhigh
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To: aimhigh

As Starlink satellites degrade orbit and die, Elon has to keep launching Starlink satellites. So gradually his fleet of satellites is being upgraded with newer and improved Starlink satellites.


2 posted on 10/11/2025 7:51:54 PM PDT by dennisw (There is no limit to human stupidity )
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To: aimhigh

Bkmk


3 posted on 10/11/2025 7:54:54 PM PDT by sauropod
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To: dennisw
Planned obsolesence and extreme recycling?

-PJ

4 posted on 10/11/2025 7:56:41 PM PDT by Political Junkie Too ( * LAAP = Left-wing Activist Agitprop Press (formerly known as the MSM))
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To: aimhigh

i was under the impression that this was the cunning plan; they are in low earth orbit, after all.


5 posted on 10/11/2025 7:58:58 PM PDT by Vroomfondel
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To: Political Junkie Too

Yep, when they fall out of orbit and burn up, it’s definitely extreme recycling.


6 posted on 10/11/2025 8:00:11 PM PDT by laplata (They want each crisis to take the greatest toll possible.)
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To: aimhigh

What a lot of scaremongering this is and not worthy of your time to read.


7 posted on 10/11/2025 8:00:51 PM PDT by cpdiii (cane cutter, deckhand, oilfield roughneck, drilling fluid tech, geologist, pilot, pharmacist, MAGA)
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To: dennisw

The story barely touches on it, but they are worried that aluminum oxide from the burning up will affect the climate. Or something.


8 posted on 10/11/2025 8:06:06 PM PDT by IndispensableDestiny
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To: aimhigh

All part of the anti Musk media campaign.

Right after Elon started supporting Trump and Free Speech, there are no longer any positive stories about him, Tesla, or anything else he’s involved with.


9 posted on 10/11/2025 8:07:15 PM PDT by Williams (Thank God for the election of President Trump!)
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To: laplata

They do not fall out of orbit they are pushed out of orbit on command by their hall effect ion engines. When their fuel runs low or a newer next generation bird comes to it’s spot in the shell Starlink orders the older bird to deorbit over the Pacific in the designated reentry area. They are designed to burn up and have no large parts impact the oceans surface.

There is some debate as to what the long term effect of nanoparticles of aluminum , titanium and silicon will have on the ozone layer and upper atmosphere. Should a negative effect be found then an alternative element could be used. Wood and polymers have been experimented with since they turn to water and CO2 harmless to ozone.

People want clicks and also hate Elon. Every one of the Starlink birds has a plan for it’s removal from orbit every single one. Tell the author to call down Francis.


10 posted on 10/11/2025 8:09:34 PM PDT by GenXPolymath
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To: cpdiii

I found it interesting. It explains the near identical meteors I have been seeing.


11 posted on 10/11/2025 8:12:09 PM PDT by Cold Heart
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To: aimhigh

So if I find one, I can keep it?


12 posted on 10/11/2025 8:18:29 PM PDT by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
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To: aimhigh

What could be greener?


13 posted on 10/11/2025 8:23:26 PM PDT by bigbob (We are all Charlie Kirk now)
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To: aimhigh

STUPID ARTICLE. Srarlink satellites INTENTIONALLY “deorbit” themselves in a controlled fashion once that becomes appropriate and are designed to completely burn up in the atmosphere without harming anything or anyone.

Think the Chinese or SpaceX competitors are taking such care with THEIR satellites? Believe me, they are not!


14 posted on 10/11/2025 8:29:46 PM PDT by House Atreides (I’m now ULTRA-MAGA-PRO-MAX)
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To: aimhigh

SpaceX is so successful, the only entities NOT using SpaceX are the Chicoms. Even the ESA (European Space Agency). Heck, the Falcon 9 is so reliable and inexpensive, so-called arch rival Amazon has contracted with SpaceX to launch their Kuiper Internet Satellites. I say so-called because the Bezos Blue Origin rocket seems more like a hobby than a viable business.

The Space Force just contracted with SpaceX to launch $700 million worth of hardware, using the Falcon Heavy system (3 Falcon 9s strapped together).

I hope to live long enough to witness the massive SpaceX Starship landing on Mars (unmanned of course).


15 posted on 10/11/2025 8:37:21 PM PDT by Ronaldus Magnus III (Do, or do not, there is no try )
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To: Political Junkie Too
Planned obsolesence and extreme recycling?

That and being a "good citizen" ... leaving nonfunctional satellites in a useful orbit is akin to scattering your trash in your neighbors' yards.

16 posted on 10/11/2025 8:44:02 PM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: cpdiii

Well, Musk is now persona non grata, despite his awesome accomplishments, d/t his political shift to the right.


17 posted on 10/11/2025 8:46:06 PM PDT by Flaming Conservative ((Pray without ceasing))
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To: aimhigh
As long as I don't get bopped, I'm good.

18 posted on 10/11/2025 8:54:42 PM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie ( O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, and his mercy endures forever. — Psalm 106)
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To: NorthMountain
I'm waiting for the environmental whackos to complain that he's polluting the skies with his disintegrated satellites.

If California Prop 65 requires warning labels at the assembly plant where the satellites are made that toxins are present, how will they feel when those very same toxins burn up in the sky?

-PJ

19 posted on 10/11/2025 8:57:10 PM PDT by Political Junkie Too ( * LAAP = Left-wing Activist Agitprop Press (formerly known as the MSM))
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To: IndispensableDestiny
The story barely touches on it, but they are worried that aluminum oxide from the burning up will affect the climate. Or something.

That will not happen. Aluminum is an extremely reactive metal. It loves to burn. Oddly this makes it very non reactive. When aluminum burns due to oxygen it becomes an aluminum oxide which is damn near inert. That aluminum oxide coating is what makes it almost inert. Otherwise airplanes would be spontaneously combusting on the ground in the manufacturing plant. All the aluminum parts of those satellites become aluminum oxide and virtually inert during reentry at thousands of degrees.

It is all about Musk. They lie. The key was when the article said "unknown" about the effects on weather. As mentioned prior, THEY LIE.

20 posted on 10/11/2025 9:28:34 PM PDT by cpdiii (cane cutter, deckhand, oilfield roughneck, drilling fluid tech, geologist, pilot, pharmacist, MAGA)
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