As of February, over 2,000 Starlink satellites have been launched, as part of a constellation that provides satellite internet access to remote parts of Earth. .

Artist's depiction of a Starlink satellite over Earth. Starlink is a constellation of satellites that aims to provide internet access to most of the Earth, particularly underserved rural areas.

Langbroek is certain that these objects are Starlink satellites because the direction of the objects' movement matches up with the orbital plane of the Starlink launch. 

'Starlink satellites are in 53.2 degree inclined orbits, so this is close enough (given the error margin) to conclude that the reentering object fits with the Starlink orbital plane.' 

Langbroek is certain that these objects are Starlink satellites because the direction of the objects' movement matches up with the orbital plane of the Starlink launch

The February 3 launch had gone according to plan on the day, but SpaceX said in an update dated February 8 that there had been a hitch in space. 

The Starlink team commanded the satellites into a 'safe-mode' so they would fly edge-on like a sheet of paper to minimise drag – to effectively to 'take cover' from the storm

49 Starlink satellites blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 18:13 GMT on Thursday, February 3, 2022

As of the February 3 launch, a total of 2,091 Starlink satellites have been launched since the first couple in February 2018, although many of this total have failed or been decommissioned in space. 

Another four Starlink launches are set for February alone; the next one, on February 14, will send 51 satellites into orbit, while the other three will each send 49

SpaceX is in nearby Fiji establishing a station that would reconnect Tonga via its network of almost 2,000 low Earth orbit internet satellites