20 Satellites To Face Earth Collision After SpaceX Rocket Places Them In Incorrect Orbit

SpaceX has acknowledged a critical incident involving 20 satellites launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from California, which are now at risk of crashing back to Earth due to a series of operational setbacks. The company confirmed that a liquid oxygen leak occurred in the rocket’s second stage during the mission on Thursday. This leak impacted the performance of the Merlin Vacuum engine, preventing it from completing a crucial burn intended to adjust the satellites’ orbit.

In an official statement posted on its website, SpaceX detailed the sequence of events, noting that while the first burn of Falcon 9’s second stage proceeded nominally, the subsequent attempt to relight the engine encountered an anomaly. This failure left the satellites stranded in an orbit with a perilously low perigee, the point closest to Earth in their elliptical path.

Despite the setback, SpaceX has been actively attempting to mitigate the situation. According to updates shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the company has successfully established contact with 10 of the affected satellites. Efforts are underway to utilize the satellites’ ion thrusters to raise their orbit. However, SpaceX acknowledged the challenging environment due to high atmospheric drag at the satellites’ current altitude, which severely limits the effectiveness of propulsion systems.

The company explained that each pass through perigee further reduces the satellites’ altitude, exacerbating the risk of re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. While SpaceX remains optimistic about the possibility of salvaging some satellites, it cautioned that their current orbital conditions pose significant challenges.

Elon Musk, SpaceX’s CEO, weighed in on the situation with characteristic candor. He noted the company’s efforts to update satellite software to maximize the efficiency of ion thrusters, likening the endeavor to pushing thrusters to their limit, albeit with uncertain outcomes.

Despite the severity of the incident, SpaceX assured that the re-entry of these satellites into Earth’s atmosphere does not pose a threat to other orbiting satellites or public safety. The company continues to provide updates as it works to stabilize the situation and salvage as many satellites as possible from an unexpected and challenging mission outcome.