"In 2026, SpaceX will lower the orbits of approximately 4,400 Starlink satellites from 550 to 480 kilometers. The adjustment is intended to increase space safety by reducing the risk of collisions and allowing defective satellites to fall out of orbit more quickly. Michael Nicolls, vice president of engineering at Starlink, said the company will move all satellites currently operating at approximately 550 kilometers in altitude during 2026."
"Communication with the spacecraft failed at an altitude of 418 kilometers. The company reported at the time that the satellite rapidly descended four kilometers in altitude, possibly indicating an explosion on board. "Lowering the satellites results in condensing Starlink orbits, and will increase space safety in several ways," Nicolls said. He adds that the number of debris objects and planned satellite constellations is significantly lower below 500 kilometers, thereby reducing the overall collision risk."
SpaceX plans in 2026 to lower approximately 4,400 Starlink satellites from about 550 kilometers to about 480 kilometers altitude. The change aims to increase space safety by reducing collision risk and enabling defective satellites to reenter more quickly. A December Starlink satellite malfunction produced a small amount of debris after communications failed at 418 kilometers and the vehicle rapidly descended about four kilometers, possibly from an onboard explosion. SpaceX has nearly 10,000 satellites and reports high reliability, with two defective units among more than 9,000 operational satellites. SpaceX coordinates this orbital lowering with other operators, regulators, and USSPACECOM to reduce overall collision risk.
Read at Techzine Global
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