★ Amy Star ★Aug 13, 2023
the easiest way to become radicalized about astronomy is to open a stargazing app and to make it highlight Starlink satellites
Show thread★ Amy Star ★Aug 13, 2023
i hate elon musk
Show threadVaryag
@AmyZenunim ahahah, Kessler Syndrome incoming! Just the future we were looking for, right?
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Aug 13, 2023 at 2:38amWeb
Show threadFlauschdompteurAug 13, 2023
@Varyag @AmyZenunim No matter what, even in the event of a collision or China blowing up a bunch of them with anti satellite rockets, Starlink satellites are far too low orbit to cause a Kessler syndrome spiral, particularly one sustaining itself over a longer timeframe. Gravity will take any debris down in a matter of years.
Show threadThe Steel RatAug 13, 2023

@diebarschlampe @Varyag @AmyZenunim

"years" is not as dismissive as you think it is. There is no way to track the hundreds of thousands of debris from a collision.

it is already a problem and we have not had a significant kessler issue since Nov of 2021

https://www.space.com/starlink-satellite-conjunction-increase-threatens-space-sustainability

SpaceX Starlink satellites had to make 25,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers in just 6 months — and it will only get worse

Since the launch of the first Starlink spacecraft in 2019, the SpaceX satellites have been forced to move over 50,000 times to prevent collisions.

Space
Show threadGunChleocAug 13, 2023
@diebarschlampe @Varyag @AmyZenunim A matter of years will be a long time for the people stuck on the ISS that cannot get back down safely.