The media reveals the fate of Starlink satellites

SpaceX has decided to remove 100 old satellites from the Starlink constellation operating in space from orbit.

The company owned by American businessman Elon Musk said in a statement: “These maneuverable satellites have so far provided services efficiently to users, but the Starlink team has discovered a common problem in this small group that could lead to larger problems in the future.”

The media reports that the company will end the service of the first satellite and remove it from orbit, due to the problem discovered in it, which leads to difficulty in maneuvering. This process will continue for six months.

The Starlink constellation of satellites is a satellite network designed to provide broadband Internet access anywhere on Earth. SpaceX began implementing the project in 2018. A group of Starlink satellites, including about 4,200 satellites, is currently operating in orbit. 

SpaceX launches satellites into space to track hypersonic rockets

SpaceX announced the launch of the Falcon 9 transport rocket from Cape Canaveral Airport in Florida, carrying a group of satellites to track hypersonic rocket launches.

The company indicates that the missile was launched at 17:30 on Wednesday, February 14 (1:30 on Thursday, February 15, Moscow time) on the US Space Forces’ USSF-124 mission, and it carries satellites whose mission is to track the launch of hypersonic missiles.

The US Department of Defense had previously announced that it intends to launch satellites into low Earth orbit whose mission is to monitor hypersonic weapons. Two HBTSS (Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Sensor) tracking system satellites for hypersonic and ballistic missiles were scheduled to be launched, in addition to four other military reconnaissance satellites.

The HBTSS satellites, which are produced by the US military industries L3Harris Technologies and Northrop Grumman, will allow the detection of hypersonic missiles and ballistic missiles, as well as other "advanced weapons" earlier than can be done using ground-based means. Over the next few weeks, specialists are expected to conduct a series of tests and examinations to ensure the normal performance of the satellites. Then tests of these satellites in space will continue for two years.