this post was submitted on 16 Oct 2023
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By 2035, falling satellites will kill or injure someone every two years, says FAA (www.gizchina.com)
submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by ijeff@lemdro.id to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[–] Anduin1357@lemmy.world 124 points 2 years ago (4 children)

Absolutely debunked, FAA accepted a report that didn't do proper research and have been called out by SpaceX for it.

[–] SmashingSquid@notyour.rodeo 57 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Someone downvoted you but you are correct. The report used assumptions based on satellites not even made of the same materials as starlink satellites.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/10/spacex-says-faa-is-wrong-about-starlink-satellite-debris-falling-to-earth/

Among other things, SpaceX said the FAA's debris estimates were based on a 23-year-old study of satellites that were made with different materials than Starlink satellites. SpaceX says its own satellites are designed to burn up completely when they reenter the atmosphere.

The FAA report to Congress did include a caveat that said, "If SpaceX is correct in reporting zero surviving debris, as SpaceX reports in FCC filings, and Starlink is a fully-demisable spacecraft, the rise in reentry risk is minimal over the current risk."

[–] HarkMahlberg@kbin.social 1 points 2 years ago

“If SpaceX is ~~correct~~ honest in reporting zero surviving debris, as SpaceX reports in FCC filings, and Starlink is a fully-demisable spacecraft, the rise in reentry risk is minimal over the current risk.”

[–] SeaJ@lemm.ee 19 points 2 years ago

Yeah, I was going to say that there is no way that could be correct. There are only like 8000 satellites in orbit. There is no fucking way that small of a number is going to be hurting someone every couple years.

[–] treadful@lemmy.zip 14 points 2 years ago

The people that put sats up have to calculate how every component will burn up in the atmosphere before they even get approval. Simply put, there's basically no chance of anyone dying from these things reentering the atmosphere.

[–] rambaroo@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Lol SpaceX. Why would I take them seriously?

[–] lte678@feddit.de 11 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Who wouldn't? They are doing some of the most advanced rocket science on the planet. Of course, trusting corporations statements and research is an entire topic of it's own. Taking Elon Musk seriously on the other hand...

[–] ohitsbreadley@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Because they are a corporation that is actively littering LEO with hundreds of satellites, and fear economic retribution and/or responsibility as a consequence of this kind of information?

You see how there might be something called "conflict of interest?"

Having a conflict of interest does not mean they aren't competent at what they do - just that they have reason to be biased against information that may result in direct consequence.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

While SpaceX does launch and operate thousands of satellites, this also means that they stand to lose the most if LEO becomes cluttered with space junk. If anyone ought to be worried about space junk, it is the launch providers. If space junk becomes a problem, their customer base vanishes.

[–] ohitsbreadley@discuss.tchncs.de -3 points 2 years ago

Ok Thre-ElonMusk-eteers.

You keep gobbling that knob. Maybe daddy will pay attention to you one day