@sundogplanets@mastodon.social
Post #3061117
2026-03-09 05:20 UTC
@volemo@mathstodon.xyz @chebra@mstdn.io @andrewg@mastodon.ie I co-authored this article. Starlink V2 satellites are 1250kg, and we assumed that "AI data center" satellites would have to be even larger and more complex. A conservative estimate of satellite composition is 50% aluminum. That's where 1000kg of aluminum per satellite comes from. Would be really nice if SpaceX would make these numbers and compositions public so we wouldn't have to make so many assumptions.
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@chebra@mstdn.io 2026-03-09 05:25
@sundogplanets@mastodon.social And 100% of that remains in the upper atmosphere forever? Those are such big claims that it needs a bit more support, otherwise it's easily defeated by napkin math. > Research shows that a typical Starlink satellite weighs around 250 kg and produces about 30 kg of aluminium oxide particles upon re-entry to the atmosphere. https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/elon-musk-starlink-satellites-are-falling-back-ozone-pollution-9867500/ Far from 50%