Starlink satellites before deployment.SpaceX/X
Starlink will begin lowering the orbit of its satellite constellation in 2026, moving spacecraft currently operating at around 342 miles (550 km) down to 298 miles, as the company seeks to improve safety in increasingly crowded low Earth orbit.
Michael Nicolls, SpaceX’s vice president of Starlink engineering, said on Thursday that the reconfiguration would involve all satellites operating at the higher altitude and would be completed over the course of the year.
The move follows growing concerns about orbital congestion as thousands of satellites are launched for broadband, communications, and Earth observation services.
Lowering the operational altitude is intended to reduce the risk of collisions and long-term debris buildup.
Starlink’s decision also comes after the company disclosed in December that one of its satellites suffered an in-orbit anomaly, producing a “small” amount of debris and cutting off communications with the spacecraft at an altitude of about 260 miles.
The company said the satellite, one of nearly 10,000 currently in orbit for its broadband internet network, rapidly lost 2.49 miles in altitude, suggesting an internal explosion, in what was described as a rare kinetic accident.
Orbital safety push
“Lowering the satellites results in condensing Starlink orbits, and will increase space safety in several ways,” Nicolls said in a post on social media platform X.
He added that “the number of debris objects and planned satellite constellations is significantly lower below 500 km, reducing the aggregate likelihood of collision.”
Operating at lower altitudes also allows satellites to deorbit more quickly at the end of their service life due to increased atmospheric drag, reducing the risk of defunct spacecraft remaining in orbit for decades.
As per a Reuters report, the number of spacecraft circling Earth has risen sharply in recent years as companies and governments race to deploy large satellite constellations.
Low Earth orbit has become a focal point for commercial activity, particularly for satellite internet services designed to provide global coverage with lower latency than traditional geostationary satellites.
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has been a major driver of this expansion. Originally known for its rocket launch business, SpaceX has rapidly transformed into the world’s largest satellite operator through Starlink.
The network now consists of nearly 10,000 satellites delivering broadband internet to individual consumers, governments, and enterprise customers across multiple continents.
Congestion concerns grow
The rapid growth of satellite constellations has raised alarms among regulators, astronomers, and space safety experts, who warn that unchecked launches could increase collision risks and complicate future space operations.
Lowering operational orbits is increasingly viewed as one way to manage congestion, particularly as planned constellations from multiple companies could add tens of thousands more satellites in the coming years.
Starlink’s reconfiguration plan signals a shift toward more conservative orbital management as the company scales its network and responds to mounting scrutiny over space sustainability.
