Due to a geomagnetic storm caused by a recent solar outburst, nearly 40 out of 49 newly launched Starlink satellites have been disabled and are now descending into Earth's atmosphere to be burned up. This event underscores the risks faced by many companies looking to place thousands of small satellites in orbit for internet service. There is a possibility that more solar outbursts could also disrupt these new orbital transmitters in the future, as the sun follows an 11-year cycle of activity. Currently, the sun is increasing in activity and is predicted to reach its peak around 2025. This recent burst of solar energy was considered mild compared to past events. According to Hugh Lewis, an expert on space debris, it is likely that a more intense solar event will occur during the next cycle. If a relatively weak solar eruption can damage 40 Starlink satellites in low orbit, a stronger solar event could cause even more harm to the megaconstellations of companies like SpaceX. SpaceX announced the potential loss of 40 satellites in a blog post on Tuesday. The company confirmed that following the launch, the satellites were placed into their intended orbit, which is approximately 130 miles above Earth. This altitude was selected in part to avoid potential collisions with other satellites in the future. If the satellites experience issues after being deployed at this altitude and are unable to maneuver to higher, safer orbits, they will quickly be pulled back into Earth's atmosphere, which is seen as a positive safety precaution. However, on Jan 29, prior to the satellite launch, a powerful eruption from the sun, consisting of highly energetic particles and magnetism known as a coronal mass ejection, was observed. This ejection reached Earth around Feb 2, resulting in a geomagnetic storm within Earth's magnetic field. The strong storm gave energy to particles in Earth's atmosphere, causing it to expand and increase in density. This increased drag on objects moving through the atmosphere, such as satellites, leading to a decrease in their orbit size and bringing them closer to the lower atmosphere where they would burn up. SpaceX reported that during a recent Starlink deployment, the storm caused atmospheric drag to increase significantly compared to previous launches, resulting in the loss of 40 out of 49 satellites. Currently, there are 1,915 Starlink satellites in orbit, so losing up to 40 is not a major concern for SpaceX, according to astronomer Jonathan McDowell. However, the potential loss could amount to around $100 million including launch costs. The risks of solar outbursts and geomagnetic storms on objects in low-Earth orbit are well-documented, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration categorizing storms from minor to extreme. The agency warns that even a moderate storm can cause changes in atmospheric drag that may affect orbits. Given these risks, it is worth considering whether SpaceX took this hazard into account during the deployment of Starlink satellites. Samantha Lawler, an astronomer at the University of Regina in Canada, expressed her surprise at the situation, stating that she was dumbfounded that they did not anticipate it. McDowell also found it unexpected, noting that they should have been prepared. A SpaceX media representative mentioned that they were too busy to answer questions via email. The fact that the satellites are entering the atmosphere quickly and not posing a threat to people on the ground is seen as a positive development. Lewis stated that the system worked correctly in terms of safety, with satellites de-orbiting without posing any risks. Satellites at higher altitudes are generally safe from atmospheric expansion hazards, but those at lower altitudes remain vulnerable. This raises concerns about SpaceX's ability to continue deploying spacecraft at lower altitudes. According to Lewis, increased solar activity results in more extreme ultraviolet light being absorbed into the atmosphere, causing it to expand significantly. It is expected that atmospheric density will increase by one or two orders of magnitude. This represents a much larger change compared to what we have recently witnessed with this specific event. Numerous astronomers have criticized Starlink and other satellite constellations for reflecting sunlight and potentially disrupting telescope research on Earth. Some view this event as symbolic of SpaceX's approach to issues in low-Earth orbit. According to Lewis, if something goes wrong, they address it and improve in the future. This incident serves as another illustration of this approach - focusing on learning from past mistakes rather than anticipating future problems. The loss of these satellites is seen as a tough lesson for SpaceX. The outcome is in their hands. Lawler expressed his desire for this to make them see things more clearly.