3 ms·
> and starlink satellites have an empirical MTBF of ~5.5 years Where did you get that data from? As I recall reading they’re meant to last a lot longer but if
by blackeyeblitzar 2y ago
> and starlink satellites have an empirical MTBF of ~5.5 years
Where did you get that data from? As I recall reading they’re meant to last a lot longer but if left alone would fall and burn up within 5 years. Is that what you’re talking about?
- zevets 2y agoJonathan McDowell, the astronomer and debris tracker: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/planet4589.bsky.social/post/3lj25u23bxs2b https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/planet4589.bsky.social/post... They may be _meant_ to last a lot longer, but as you launch a larger constellation, you end up finding more and more edge cases which your original design missed. Even if it's a generous 10yr lifespan - 10% depreciation is pretty brutal, especially if your customers are expecting a certain coverage quality, as then you need more redundant satellites in orbit.