Starlink Satellite falls from the sky over Europe August 24, 2023

On August 24, 2023, a Starlink satellite re-entered Earth's atmosphere and burned up over the skies of Europe. The event was widely reported, and many observers across the continent saw the spectacle. The satellite's re-entry was planned, as SpaceX regularly de-orbits older or malfunctioning satellites that are no longer operational.

This type of controlled re-entry is a common practice for satellites that have reached the end of their operational life. By de-orbiting them, space agencies and companies like SpaceX aim to reduce space debris and ensure that the satellites safely burn up in the atmosphere rather than posing a risk to other satellites or space missions.