Starlink provides an essential service by supplying internet service for many rural and northern areas.

The lifespan of a Starlink satellite is about five years, so a handful are coming down daily. The satellites are about the size of a Ford-150 truck and the vast majority burn up in the atmosphere. However, there are a few reports of Starlink debris hitting the earth, including an incident in Australia in 2022 and on ranchland in the Hodgeville region of southwest Saskatchewan in August 2024.  The Hodgeville debris was about the size of a laptop computer.

(photo submitted by Samantha Lawler)

There were several videos posted to social media late September 22nd and early September 23rd of this year of what is believed to be Starlink #1,066 entering the atmosphere. University of Regina associate astronomy professor Samantha Lawler said it appeared to be a “tight-looking ball of fire in the sky over Vancouver and Calgary.  By the time it gets to Saskatoon, you can see many discreet pieces that are all travelling together.”

She believes it went down somewhere northeast of Saskatoon. Lawler is asking farmers to keep an eye open when doing fall field work for any metallic objects from an unknown source. This is her email address. 

CJWW Agriculture Director Neil Billinger interviewed Lawler on October 4th.

(map submitted by Samantha Lawler)