Starlink satellites to fall from orbit and burn up after SpaceX rocket accident

A SpaceX rocket launched from California on Thursday carrying 20 Starlink internet satellites "did not complete its second burn," leaving the satellites in "a lower than intended orbit." An oxygen tank leak reportedly caused the failure, which will likely lead to the satellites burning up in the atmosphere.

SpaceX contacted some of the satellites and attempted to reposition them using onboard ion thrusters, according to a statement posted on X.

The company was not hopeful it would succeed.

"Our maximum available thrust is unlikely to be enough to successfully raise the satellites," a statement on SpaceX's website read. "As such, the satellites will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and fully demise. They do not pose a threat to other satellites in orbit or to public safety."

This was the first SpaceX rocket failure "in nearly a decade" and left the satellites "only 84 miles (135 kilometers) above Earth — less than half what was intended," the Washington Examiner reported.

SpaceX owner Elon Musk provided an update on Friday on the efforts. "We’re updating satellite software to run the ion thrusters at their equivalent of warp 9."

Musk doubted the endeavor would succeed. "Unlike a Star Trek episode, this will probably not work, but it’s worth a shot."