Re: No shielding? (initial orbit)
The procedure SpaceX uses is to initially orbit the satellites in a very low Earth orbit.
They then are tested and any that fail testing are left in the low orbit to rapidly deorbit (to reduce non-operational space junk).
Those that pass the test are moved to their operating orbit.
Because of the increased atmospheric drag from the geomagnetic storm, 40 of the 46 were determined to lack the fuel to move them to their operational orbit.
These 40 are the ones which will rapidly deorbit.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
