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TwentyStarlinksatellites were prematurely released during a failedSpaceXrocket launching last hebdomad — and now , reflection have confirmed they all cut up in the upper atmosphere after fall down back to Earth . Experts are currently inquire what happened , and the rocket responsible will remain grounded until this investigation is conclude .
On July 11 , SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 roquette from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 10:35 p.m. ET , one 24-hour interval later than originally planned . The launch initially go as expected , and the rocket ’s first stage successfully detached from the artificial satellite - oppressed 2nd stage , before landing on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean . However , the 2d stage thenfailed to complete its second burndue to a liquid O leak , leaving it stranded in a downhearted orbit around Earth . ( It is presently undecipherable if the leak caused the delay launching . )
The second stage of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 20 Starlink satellites failed to fire properly after successfully separating from the reusable first stage, leaving its payload stranded in an unusually-low orbit.
The rocket ’s 2nd degree was still able-bodied to give up its shipment . However , the satellite became stuck in an elliptical orbit around our planet , with a minimal altitude of 84 miles ( 135 kilometers ) — around half the height at which they normally operate . At this lift , atmospherical drag slowed the satellite down , and they start to come down back to Earth by around 3 miles ( 5 km ) every complete orbit , SpaceX representatives write in astatementon July 11 .
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" At this level of puff , our maximum available thrusting is unbelievable to be enough to successfully advance the satellites , " SpaceX representatives wrote . " As such , the satellites will re - enter Earth ’s ambience and to the full demise . "
This screenshot from the webcast of a SpaceX Starlink satellite launch on July 11 shows a buildup of liquid-oxygen ice on the second stage of the Falcon 9 rocket.
The company gained ascendancy of most of the satellites and order them to do burns at their maximal thrust , known as " warp 9 , " in a last - ditch attempt to regain altitude , Space News report . But this was not enough to save the satellites .
Subsequent observations fromJonathan McDowell , an astrophysicist at Harvard University , have since confirmed that all 20 satellite meet a fiery death on July 12,Spaceweather.com reported .
The re - entering ballistic capsule did " not pose a threat to other satellites in orbit or to public safety , " SpaceX representatives wrote . And so far , there have been no account of the space vehicle get to Earth ’s surface , according to Spaceweather.com .
The rocket’s first stage successfully landed on on a platform in the Pacific Ocean after detaching from the second stage.
This was the first Falcon 9 launching nonstarter since 2016 and the biggest individual loss ofStarlinksatellites since February 2022 , when ageomagnetic storm knocked 40 satellite from the skyshortly after the satellites were put into Earth arena .
SpaceX is now investigating what happened , under the supervision of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) , Live Science ’s sister siteSpace.com reported . The company will not be capable to establish any more Falcon 9 rocket until this investigation is complete .
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SpaceX ’s interplanetary Starship rocket wassimilarly found by the FAA in 2023after itexploded minute of arc after take - offduring its first test flight of stairs on April 20 last twelvemonth .
It is presently unclear how long Falcon 9 rocket will be grounded for . But one unnamed industry expert told Space News that the spacecraft could be grounded for months , which — if right — would force a major reshuffling of the fellowship ’s launch schedule for the rest of the year .
