SpaceX Plans to Lower Thousands of Starlink Satellites for Enhanced Safety

Thomas Ricker, a veteran tech journalist and co-founder of The Verge, highlights recent developments in SpaceX's satellite operations. With over 9,000 Starlink satellites currently orbiting Earth, SpaceX has announced plans to lower approximately 4,400 of these satellites from 550 km to around 480 km altitude in the coming months.

This strategic adjustment aims to improve space safety by enabling satellites to deorbit more quickly if malfunctions occur or when their operational lifespan ends. It also minimizes collision risks with other objects, especially since the density of debris is lower below 500 km altitude. Michael Nicolls, VP of Starlink Engineering, emphasized that reducing the number of debris objects is a key motivation behind this decision.

Looking ahead, the demand for satellite constellations may surge significantly. By the end of the decade, projections suggest that up to 70,000 satellites could be in low Earth orbit (LEO), spanning from approximately 160 km to 2,000 km above the Earth's surface, driven by both private initiatives and government missions.

In 2025, SpaceX continued its record-breaking streak with over 160 Falcon 9 launches, more than 120 of which contributed to expanding the Starlink network. Currently, Starlink provides internet service to over 9.25 million active users across more than 155 countries, markets, and territories.

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