First a geomagnetic storm and now NASA is causing a headache for SpaceX's satellite internet

pcgamer.com:

SpaceX just suffered a crushing loss of 40 Starlink satellites recently launched into orbit around the Earth, courtesy of a geomagnetic storm. And now it seems NASA is delivering the second in a one-two punch combo by raising concerns over SpaceX's plan to launch another roughly 30,000 Starlink satellites into space.

Starlink is SpaceX's satellite internet service, which it hopes to compete with more Earth-based broadband connections with. It requires a network of satellites in orbit around the Earth, which makes it handy for getting internet to out-of-reach places on the globe or even following natural disasters, but has also caused plenty of debate as to whether crowding the sky with satellites is really the best use of the Earth's orbital zone.

«NASA has concerns with the potential for a significant increase in the frequency of conjunction events and possible impacts to NASA's science and human spaceflight missions,» a letter from NASA to the FCC reads.

«NASA wants to ensure that the deployment of the Starlink Gen 2 system is conducted prudently, in a manner that supports spaceflight safety and the long-term sustainability of the space environment.»

The letter, as noted by CNBC space reporter Michael Sheetz, notes the risks that could be incurred by SpaceX's proposed satellite internet network expansion. Largely they boil down to near-misses with crewed and science missions, delays to space launches for expensive missions, and interference with ground telescopes; including those attempting to keep an eye on the stars.

NASA raises concerns about the SpaceX plan for Starlink Gen2 in letter to the FCC:Risks include:—near miss/collisions with science and crewed missions—maneuvering capability failure—interference with