Leolabs( https://platform.leolabs.space/visualizations/leo ) shows all of them , not just starlink , then go to the upper left and click the debris box . It's crowded up there!
Note that, when I left GEODSS (as a civilian contractor), there were 8,300+ "objects" in orbit. Objects could be anything - old boosters, toolkits, gloves, etc. Anything that we could "see" with radar initially. There's a booster (from a '68 launch) that's in an almost perfect circular orbit, won't come down for at least 40,000 years...
Well, these satellites are probably all going in the same direction, at two altitudes (longitudinal and latitudinal) to avoid collisions. If they were connected by a lattice of wires, then the failing orbit of one would be supported by the others near it. If those wires were also data cables, add some AI algorithms and we'd have a planetary neural net. If the areas inside any closed polygon of cable edges was then covered in adjustable solar panels, we'd then have a Dyson Sphere, but in reverse; while it would capture a whole lot of sunlight and turn it into electricity, when closed it would turn the world dark and reduce insolation to nearly nothing. This would solve global warming real quick; think Instant Ice Age, short term. All that electricity could power all the satellites in the outer layer forever, or somehow be "beamed down" via electromagnetic (think wireless charging but a million times bigger) and perhaps power the entire planet. Or "beanstalk" space elevators with power cable could be built. Our political masters could not only enforce solar equity (all parts of the planet get exactly equal amounts of light), but punish uppity nation states by literally leaving them in the cold and dark. Now all we'd need is a Ringworld style planetary defense system, but once again inside out, pointing out instead of in. Truly it would be utopia and cause world peace (ICBMs would no longer work, because they couldn't achieve the necessary sub-orbital altitude needed to nuke N Korea from the Falkland Islands). Truly we are on the edge of a big step into the glorious future.
Sarcasm? Perhaps. Feasible? Also perhaps. Instantly used as a hammer by the new one world government? Guaranteed.
No, they aren't all going the same direction. Some were launched to the northeast, and some to the southeast, and some were launched due south. Barring mechanical failures SpaceX's Starlink satellites are designed to de-orbit themselves into to satellite graveyard in the middle of the south Pacific, however, if they just die, they'll de-orbit and burn up before they hit the ground. So, no you couldn't just wire them together.
I find it pretty hard to get worked up about stuff like this.
In a way, those images are misleading. The surface area of the Earth is 197 million square miles, most of which is ocean. There's going to be something like 30,000 Starlinks. Over 6000 square miles per satellite. A satellite might start out the size of a person - a couple of square feet. Most of that becomes dust or ash. How much is left in that 6000 square miles? A few square inches? I'll take those odds.
Earth is big. Space is big. The rest of us are pretty damned small.
I have an app on my phone named Night Sky. First time I used it I was surprised to find several Starlink sats drifting across the display. The app actually tags the sats with their ID #.
Easy-peasy, boys 'n girls - they burn up. SpaceX has deliberately designed them with de-orbit capabilities when their lifetime is up - they have onboard Xenon electric thrusters, when the gas runs out they are at the end of their life.
really makes you appreciate how much more complex it is to successfully launch a rocket into space. A successful launch that reaches space is a challenge, but add the timing of the window in which you DON'T collide with a satellite.. Impressive.
I posted video of the starlink train Sunday night. Had no idea it was the starlink train. Seemed way to low for that. Past over us here in Ohio around 7:30 pm . We were all scratching our heads.
Huh? I see A Lot of dots I'm thinking represent space junk in geo orbit. Outside of me assumption WTF is there to "try"? I'm thinking others don't get it either, but won't say so.
Leolabs( https://platform.leolabs.space/visualizations/leo ) shows all of them , not just starlink , then go to the upper left and click the debris box . It's crowded up there!
ReplyDeleteNote that, when I left GEODSS (as a civilian contractor), there were 8,300+ "objects" in orbit. Objects could be anything - old boosters, toolkits, gloves, etc. Anything that we could "see" with radar initially. There's a booster (from a '68 launch) that's in an almost perfect circular orbit, won't come down for at least 40,000 years...
DeleteThat was back in '03!!
https://platform.leolabs.space/visualizations/leo Cool. What are the red/orange areas on the map? Stars, bars and X's.
DeleteWho cares as long as it's on all the globohomo capital cities and their voters/selectors. Yes some collateral damage but that's what it takes.
ReplyDeleteWell, these satellites are probably all going in the same direction, at two altitudes (longitudinal and latitudinal) to avoid collisions. If they were connected by a lattice of wires, then the failing orbit of one would be supported by the others near it. If those wires were also data cables, add some AI algorithms and we'd have a planetary neural net. If the areas inside any closed polygon of cable edges was then covered in adjustable solar panels, we'd then have a Dyson Sphere, but in reverse; while it would capture a whole lot of sunlight and turn it into electricity, when closed it would turn the world dark and reduce insolation to nearly nothing. This would solve global warming real quick; think Instant Ice Age, short term. All that electricity could power all the satellites in the outer layer forever, or somehow be "beamed down" via electromagnetic (think wireless charging but a million times bigger) and perhaps power the entire planet. Or "beanstalk" space elevators with power cable could be built. Our political masters could not only enforce solar equity (all parts of the planet get exactly equal amounts of light), but punish uppity nation states by literally leaving them in the cold and dark. Now all we'd need is a Ringworld style planetary defense system, but once again inside out, pointing out instead of in. Truly it would be utopia and cause world peace (ICBMs would no longer work, because they couldn't achieve the necessary sub-orbital altitude needed to nuke N Korea from the Falkland Islands). Truly we are on the edge of a big step into the glorious future.
ReplyDeleteSarcasm? Perhaps. Feasible? Also perhaps. Instantly used as a hammer by the new one world government? Guaranteed.
Drew458
No, they aren't all going the same direction. Some were launched to the northeast, and some to the southeast, and some were launched due south. Barring mechanical failures SpaceX's Starlink satellites are designed to de-orbit themselves into to satellite graveyard in the middle of the south Pacific, however, if they just die, they'll de-orbit and burn up before they hit the ground. So, no you couldn't just wire them together.
DeleteMight burn up. Can't imagine they're too solid.
ReplyDeleteI would think it depends on their size. Remember the drama when those large Russian and Chinese ones fell a decade or two ago.
DeleteYup! Just like SkyLab burned up.
DeleteWILL burn up. Designed that way. Many already have.
ReplyDeleteSee there? Makes perfect sense, must be old school. Surely, it's "spacist" or "massist" now.
DeleteI am reading this post with a starlink so if the earth pulls them in before the grave pulls me in I won't be able to tell you. Just saying.
ReplyDeleteWhat happens when they start falling, you ask?
ReplyDeleteThe way the world's going to hell in a bucket, you almost make it sound like a bad thing.
-lg
I find it pretty hard to get worked up about stuff like this.
ReplyDeleteIn a way, those images are misleading. The surface area of the Earth is 197 million square miles, most of which is ocean. There's going to be something like 30,000 Starlinks. Over 6000 square miles per satellite. A satellite might start out the size of a person - a couple of square feet. Most of that becomes dust or ash. How much is left in that 6000 square miles? A few square inches? I'll take those odds.
Earth is big. Space is big. The rest of us are pretty damned small.
When the satellites fall (as inevitably they will)?
ReplyDeleteBack to the old school paper tropo maps and compass.
President Elect B Woodman
START falling?
ReplyDeleteI have an app on my phone named Night Sky. First time I used it I was surprised to find several Starlink sats drifting across the display. The app actually tags the sats with their ID #.
ReplyDeleteNemo
Easy-peasy, boys 'n girls - they burn up. SpaceX has deliberately designed them with de-orbit capabilities when their lifetime is up - they have onboard Xenon electric thrusters, when the gas runs out they are at the end of their life.
ReplyDeletereally makes you appreciate how much more complex it is to successfully launch a rocket into space. A successful launch that reaches space is a challenge, but add the timing of the window in which you DON'T collide with a satellite.. Impressive.
ReplyDeleteI posted video of the starlink train Sunday night. Had no idea it was the starlink train. Seemed way to low for that. Past over us here in Ohio around 7:30 pm . We were all scratching our heads.
ReplyDeleteWhat SiGraybeard said!
ReplyDeleteOhio Guy
Huh? I see A Lot of dots I'm thinking represent space junk in geo orbit. Outside of me assumption WTF is there to "try"? I'm thinking others don't get it either, but won't say so.
ReplyDelete