SpaceX Starlink Glitch Strikes In Space – Zero Risk To Moon Mission

• The company said that the Starlink satellite 34343 was at about a distance of 560 kms above earth, but poses no risk to the International Space Station orbiting Earth or its crew.
• It also does not pose risk to the upcoming launch of Artemis 2 scheduled to launch on April 1.
• SpaceX said that the company is actively trying to determine the root cause of the anomaly.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX said on Monday that one of its Starlink satellites experienced an anomaly in space on Sunday, and the company subsequently lost communication with it.

The company said that the Starlink satellite 34343 was at about a distance of 560 kms above earth, but poses no risk to the International Space Station orbiting Earth or its crew.

It also does not pose risk to the upcoming launch of Artemis 2, the first crewed mission under NASA’s Artemis program aimed at taking humans back to the surface of the Moon, scheduled to launch on April 1 and expected to mark the first time humans venture beyond low Earth orbit in the 21st century, the company said.

Follow-Up Protocol

Starlink said that it will continue to monitor the satellite and coordinate with NASA and the U.S. Space Force following the incident.

“The SpaceX and Starlink teams are actively working to determine root cause and will rapidly implement any necessary corrective actions,” the company added.

How Did Retail Traders React?

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around SPACEX is trending in the ‘extremely bullish’ territory, while message volume is at extremely high levels.  

SpaceX’s initial public offering is expected later this year. According to reports, the company is targeting a valuation that could touch $1.75 trillion, and could likely beat Saudi Aramco’s market debut in 2019 to become the largest IPO ever by proceeds.

Earlier this month, Reuters reported that the rocket launch operator is considering setting aside up to 30% of its shares for retail investors, as compared to the usual 10%.

Earlier on Monday, the news agency also reported that Morgan Stanley's E*Trade is in talks ​with SpaceX to take the lead in selling the rocket maker's shares to everyday U.S. investors. Robinhood Markets, SoFi, and Fidelity are all looking for retail share distribution roles on IPO, it added. 

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