The European Space Agency (ESA) plans to study a live satellite re-entry next month, focusing on the implications for SpaceX’s Starlink network. This research is part of ESA’s effort to understand what occurs when a satellite re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere, a process that remains somewhat mysterious despite decades of space exploration.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
ESA will observe the re-entry of one of its Cluster constellation satellites, launched in 2000 to study solar winds. The satellite, named Salsa, is set to retire and will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere on September 8, disintegrating over the South Pacific Ocean. Scientists will fly a plane equipped with over 20 scientific instruments to monitor the re-entry, aiming to collect data on how and when a satellite breaks up, any explosions that occur, and whether any debris survives the descent.
The data collected could have major implications for SpaceX’s Starlink network, which involves nearly 7,000 satellites orbiting the Earth. While SpaceX claims its satellites will fully burn up during re-entry, concerns have been raised about potential risks. The FAA released a report suggesting that Starlink satellites could create dangerous debris upon re-entry. Additionally, there are environmental concerns that the disintegration of these satellites could release chemicals harmful to the Earth’s ozone layer.
In 2022, ESA conducted a study estimating that a single satellite’s re-entry could cause a modest short-term impact on the atmosphere, with a peak ozone loss of less than 1% on the first day, which becomes negligible after a week. This assessment contributed to the FCC’s approval of SpaceX’s second-generation Starlink network. However, ESA emphasized the need for more observational data to validate these findings.
Following the study of Salsa’s re-entry, ESA plans to observe the re-entry of three more satellites from the same constellation, scheduled for 2025 and 2026. This will provide a rare opportunity for a “repeatable experiment” to further understand the re-entry process.
TF Summary: What’s Next
ESA’s study on satellite re-entry, particularly the upcoming observation of the Salsa satellite, could provide critical insights into the safety and environmental impact of satellite re-entries. This research might influence future satellite designs and regulatory decisions, especially concerning large-scale satellite networks. As reliance on space becomes increasingly important, understanding and mitigating the risks associated with satellite re-entry will become even more crucial.
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