- Starlink begins to orbit a new version (v2 mini) – presented as more powerful – of mini-satellites since February
- The problem is that they struggle to reach the required orbit
- One unit was even spotted crashing (or rather vaporizing) on its way back to Earth
SpaceX continues to deploy its constellation of satellites and we know that a new version of “heavy satellites” is coming. SpaceX chose to launch around twenty next-generation satellites at the end of February – or rather a sort of miniature preview via its Falcon 9 rockets. These units were to attract all superlatives, and prepare the ground for the arrival of real v2 versions. heavy in orbit. But here it is: due to technical problems, this demonstration is currently doing the exact opposite of the expected effect.
The Starlink V2 Minis are indeed struggling to reach their required orbit – and one of these mini satellites, by the sweet name of 30062, was even spotted crashing into the Earth’s atmosphere by astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell. According to our colleagues from Futurism, however, it was a controlled reentry off the Californian coast (which obviously caused no damage to the ground). Of the 21 V2 Mini put into orbit, three still seemed to be fighting for their survival until a few days ago.
The Starlink V2 constellation should learn from the problems of these mini satellites
But the latter seem since to regain altitude. The bad news about the V2 Minis originally came not from official SpaceX communications channels, but rather from enthusiast sightings. It was by questioning Elon Musk on his favorite social network that Jonathan McDowell obtained confirmation that these V2 Mini “were stricken with some problems” to use the exact words of the entrepreneur.
Three of the Starlink V2Mini sats (30058, 30042, 30051) have resumed orbit raising, while Starliink 30062 reentered at 0850 UTC Apr 3 off the coast of California pic.twitter.com/viv6daE4Gv
— Jonathan McDowell (@planet4589) April 3, 2023
Elon Musk then added: “some units will be de-orbited while others will be duly tested before raising their altitude above that of the ISS”. It is therefore understood that modifications will be necessary before the launch of the new generation of Starlink satellites. The arrival of this new generation is however crucial for SpaceX. The next satellites will indeed allow SpaceX to deliver speeds and a total capacity of bandwidth increased tenfold.
The v1 satellites are only 260 kg each, while the real V2 weigh some 1,250 kg. They are also bigger since we go from satellites of 0.3 m long to massive objects of 7 meters. The v1 satellites feature “pased array” antennas in the Ku, Ka and E bands. material layer allowing better throughputs.
All V2 satellites will be equipped with lasers for inter-constellation communication – while only some V1 units are equipped with them. SpaceX has been granted permission to launch up to 7,500 V2 satellites into orbit. Kick-starting the “heavy v2” satellite launches de facto depends on the development of Starship rockets – the only ones big and powerful enough to launch up to 120 V2 satellites per mission.
An impossible task with current Falcon 9 rockets – at least in the volumes required to make each launch financially viable.
