SpaceX's 5K Satellites: A Risk of Man-Made Meteors?

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In summary, SpaceX plans to launch 5,000 satellites into low orbit that will require periodic boosts to stay in orbit and could potentially fall out of the sky within a few months if they malfunction or run out of fuel. This raises concerns about the potential for man-made "meteors" and the minimum size a satellite would need to be to completely burn up upon reentry. However, size alone is not a reliable indicator as the density and shape of a satellite also play a role. For example, a large array of solar panels would likely burn up, but a solid dense sphere of the same mass may not. The Skylab incident in Australia also demonstrates how low density materials can simply flutter down while denser components may cause more damage
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I was reading about SpaceX wanting to put up 5K satellites, with these put in a low enough orbit that they would need to be periodically boosted to stay up, and simply falling out of the sky within a few months if they malfunction or run out of fuel. This makes me wonder about how small a satellite would need to be to be assured of burning up completely - lest we get man-made "meteors".
 
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Size alone is a meaningless criterion. You need to know the density and general shape. For example, a HUGE array of solar panels would burn up on reentry but the same mass as a solid dense sphere might not.
 
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IIRC, Skylab showered parts of Australia with its components. Low density stuff just fluttered down, titanium pressure tanks played 'drop bear'...
 
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1. What are SpaceX's 5K satellites and why are they a risk of man-made meteors?

SpaceX's 5K satellites refer to the company's plan to launch 5,000 satellites into low Earth orbit in order to provide global internet coverage. These satellites are a risk of man-made meteors because they could potentially collide with other objects in space, creating debris that could fall to Earth and cause damage.

2. How likely is it that these satellites will cause man-made meteors?

The likelihood of these satellites causing man-made meteors is currently unknown. While there is a risk of collision and debris, SpaceX has stated that they have taken measures to minimize this risk. However, there is still a possibility that accidents or malfunctions could occur, leading to debris falling to Earth.

3. How will SpaceX prevent these satellites from causing man-made meteors?

SpaceX has stated that they will use advanced technology and maneuvers to avoid collisions with other objects in space. They will also deorbit satellites at the end of their lifespan to prevent them from becoming space debris. However, there is no guarantee that these measures will completely eliminate the risk of man-made meteors.

4. What are the potential consequences of man-made meteors caused by these satellites?

The potential consequences of man-made meteors caused by these satellites could include damage to infrastructure, such as satellites or the International Space Station, as well as potential harm to human life on Earth. Additionally, the accumulation of space debris could make it more difficult for future space missions to safely navigate through orbit.

5. What steps are being taken to address the concerns about man-made meteors from these satellites?

SpaceX is working closely with government agencies and other space companies to address concerns about man-made meteors from their satellites. They are also conducting regular risk assessments and implementing measures to reduce the chances of collisions. Additionally, there are ongoing discussions and initiatives to develop better space debris mitigation and removal strategies to prevent potential hazards in the future.

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