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SpaceX Rocket Accident Leaves Company’s Starlink Satellites In Wrong Orbit
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida – For the first time in over a decade, a SpaceX rocket failed, leaving its internet satellites in such a low orbit that they will fall through the atmosphere and burn up.
The Falcon 9 rocket launched from California on Thursday night, carrying 20 Starlink satellites. Several minutes into the flight, the upper-stage engine failed. On Friday, SpaceX blamed a liquid oxygen leak.
According to the business, flight controllers made touch with half of the satellites and attempted to boost them into a higher orbit using internal ion engines. However, with the low end of its orbit at 84 miles (135 kilometers) above Earth — less than half of what was planned — “our maximum available thrust is unlikely to be enough to successfully raise the satellites,” the company stated via X.
SpaceX stated that the satellites will reenter the atmosphere and burn up. There was no indication of when they might come down. Over 6,000 orbiting Starlinks already give internet access to clients in some of the world’s most distant locations.
SpaceX | AP news Image
SpaceX Rocket Accident Leaves Company’s Starlink Satellites In Wrong Orbit
The Federal Aviation Administration stated that the issue must be resolved before Falcon Rockets can fly again.
It was unclear if or how the mishap will affect SpaceX’s next crew flights. A billionaire’s journey from Florida on July 31 will include the first private spacewalk, followed by NASA’s manned voyage to the International Space Station in mid-August.
On Friday, Jared Isaacman, the IT entrepreneur who will lead the private flight, stated that SpaceX’s Falcon 9 has “an incredible track record” and an emergency escape system.
SpaceX Rocket Accident Leaves Company’s Starlink Satellites In Wrong Orbit
The previous launch failure happened in 2015 on a supply run to the space station. Another rocket burst the next year while being tested on the ground.
SOURCE | AP
