SpaceX Satellites Falling out of Orbit After Solar Storm

SpaceX Satellites Falling out of Orbit After Solar Storm
A string of SpaceX StarLink satellites passes over an old stone house near Florence, Kan., on May 6, 2021. Reed Hoffmann/AP Photo
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—SpaceX’s newest fleet of satellites is tumbling out of orbit after being struck by a solar storm.

Up to 40 of the 49 small satellites launched last week have either reentered the atmosphere and burned up, or are on the verge of doing so, the company said in an online update Tuesday night.