Cameras of BRAMON, the Brazilian Meteor Observation Network,  record the Starlink-32 Satellite reentry over São Paulo, Brazil.

The images were recorded at 23:03 on Friday, September 11 (09/12/2020 02:03 UT) at stations RCP2 and RCP3 managed by Renato Poltronieri in Nhandeara, São Paulo. In addition, the reentry was also recorded by a Clima ao Vivo camera in Monte Azul Paulista, and by internet user Fernando Palhares, from Jales, both in São Paulo. Check out the videos:

From the images recorded in Nhandeara and Monte Azul Paulista, BRAMON calculated the trajectory of the debris in the atmosphere. However, the images, do not show the beginning neighter the end of the trajectory, since these cameras are programmed not to record objects moving slowly, as in a reentry. When the recording started, the satellite were already completely fragmented, passing over Paranaíba, Mato Grosso do Sul. The fragments followed slowly in the southeast direction. The recording was interrupted when they passed over the São Paulo municipality of Lins.

Fragments calculated trajectory – Credits: BRAMON

The debris calculated trajectory is fully compatible with that expected for the Starlink-32 satellite, whose re-entry was scheduled for 22:34 with a 1-hour error margin, according to the forecast by Joseph Remis, a specialist in re-entry calculations .

Prediction of Starlink-32 position at reentry time – Credits: satflare.com

Prediction of re-entry calculated by Jseph Remis

Starlink-32

Starlink-32 is a satellite from the SpaceX Starlink Constellation. It was launched on May 24, 2019 from Cape Canaveral, on a Falcon-9 rocket also from Space-X. It was the first launch by the American company to put 60 satellites into orbit at once. SpaceX’s goal is to create a constellation with 12,000 satellites that will provide high-speed internet access for the entire planet.

After being placed in orbit, Starlink-32 started to present problems and was maneuvered to re-enter the atmosphere, what happened over Brazil, on the night of Friday, September 11.

Starlink satellite in orbit – Credits: SpaceX

Risk-free re-entry for the population

At just 227 kg, Starkink satellites are very fragile, basically composed of a thin metallic structure that houses their instruments and large solar panels. Thus, probably all of its parts were completely disintegrated during re-entry into the atmosphere, not posing any risk to the population on the ground.