A certain concern is spreading for the constant return of the satellites Starlink deorbited. In the last month there has been a real rain of devices that have fallen from the sky that repeatedly crossed the terrestrial atmosphere. A phenomenon that, if repeated with so much frequency, could also cause damage. Unfortunately, it is a necessary process.
The years have now passed. In 2018 Space Xcompany of Elon Musklaunched more than 7 thousand satellites in orbit with the promise to make the Internet accessible to everyone on the globe. The aim was to keep them in operation and then replace them from time to time with other more modern models when, once worn, they would have fallen.
Apparently the signs of wear would have made themselves feel importantly. Only in January beyond 120 satellites When they arrived at the end of their life they fell, with an average of 4-5 units per day. These devices cross the atmosphere and burn. Apparently it is a necessary process that comes into action when the satellites are poorly working or have given performance problems. From the base, Space X is able to start a procedure of deorbitation controlled, avoiding much more serious consequences.
Since the start of the project of the 7,800 satellites launched in orbit 817 have already returned. This continuous passage, however, risks jeopardizing the state of ours terrestrial atmosphere. Among the many concerns relating to this phenomenon there is the one according to which these devices can explode and disintegrate before impacting the terrestrial soil, releasing debris and polluting powders also in the atmosphere. The thought goes, for example, toaluminum oxidecapable of corrupting the ozone layer.
“The Starlink are mainly made of aluminum, which when the satellite evaporates remains at altitude in the atmosphere. And the same thing occurs at the time of the launch, since the propellers used by the rockets, especially the solid ones, are based on aluminum oxide However, when it comes to climate and atmosphere we always have to do with a chaotic and extremely complex system, therefore it is difficult to make predictions about the consequences of these events. , like many small mirrors.explained to Handle Alberto Buzzoniastronomer of the National Institute of Astrophysics.
There are already studies about it, such as that published by the magazine of theAcademy of American Sciences In 2023. The disintegration of Starlink satellites in the atmosphere releases heavy and dangerous metalswith 10% of extension. Another study, published on Geophysical Research Letters In 2024, he showed that from 2006 to 2022 the aluminum oxide value in the ATMSTABERT has grown by 8 times.
“This is a criticality that can represent an obstacle
significant to astronomical observations especially in certain moments of the night and dawn, “he said Gianluca Masiastrophysical and scientific manager of Virtual Telescope Project.