SpaceX is preparing to proactively reduce space debris risks and improve long-term safety in low Earth orbit (LEO). The aerospace company will lower thousands of Starlink satellites to a new operational altitude over the course of 2026.
In a statement shared on X, Michael Nicolls, Vice President of Starlink Engineering, confirmed that roughly 4,400 Starlink satellites currently operating at around 550 kilometres will be gradually lowered to approximately 480 kilometres. The maneuver will affect nearly half of the active constellation and is being closely coordinated with regulators, other satellite operators, and United States Space Command to ensure safe execution.
“Lowering the satellites results in condensing Starlink orbits, and will increase space safety in several ways,” Nicolls explained.
Why Starlink Is Lowering Its Orbits
The decision is closely tied to the natural solar cycle. As Earth approaches solar minimum, atmospheric density at higher altitudes decreases, allowing defunct satellites to linger in orbit for years longer than expected. At 550 km, an uncontrolled satellite could remain in space for more than four years under low solar activity, according to Nicolls.
By lowering operations to 480 km, Starlink expects to achieve a dramatic improvement in deorbit timelines. Nicolls noted that the shift would result in a “>80% reduction in ballistic decay time,” turning what could be multi-year orbital persistence into a matter of months. In practical terms, failed satellites would clear themselves from orbit far more quickly, reducing the risk of long-term debris accumulation.
Addressing Orbital Congestion
Another key factor is congestion. The 500–600 km band has become one of the busiest regions in LEO, with multiple commercial constellations planning or already deploying spacecraft there. According to Nicolls, “the number of debris objects and planned satellite constellations is significantly lower below 500 km, reducing the aggregate likelihood of collision.”
While Starlink satellites are designed with extremely high reliability—Nicolls stated there are only two “dead” satellites among more than 9,000 operational spacecraft—the company is planning for worst-case scenarios. Lower orbits ensure that even rare failures result in rapid atmospheric re-entry rather than years of uncontrolled drift.
Starlink Sets The Standard
Starlink has transformed the company into the world’s largest satellite operator, with nearly 10,000 satellites delivering broadband internet to consumers, governments, and enterprises globally. As LEO becomes more commercially vital—and more congested—Starlink’s orbital lowering plan signals a more conservative, safety-first approach to scaling space infrastructure.
If successful, the 2026 reconfiguration could set a new benchmark for responsible constellation management, balancing rapid expansion with long-term orbital sustainability.
