SpaceX has announced plans to move thousands of its Starlink satellites to a lower orbit in a major reconfiguration designed to reduce space debris and collision risks.
The company intends to lower approximately 4,400 satellites from an altitude of 550km to 480km throughout 2026.
The move comes amid growing international concern over the “crowding” of low Earth orbit and the long-term sustainability of mega-constellations.
Faster ‘death’ for dead satellites
Michael Nicholls, Vice President of Starlink Engineering at SpaceX, said the decision was driven by the upcoming “solar minimum”—a period in the solar cycle where the Earth’s atmosphere becomes less dense.
In these conditions, atmospheric drag decreases, meaning defunct satellites can stay in orbit for years as “space junk” rather than burning up quickly.
“Operating at lower altitudes significantly improves safety outcomes,” Mr Nicholls posted on the social media platform X. He noted that:
- Decay time: Lowering the satellites below 500km could reduce the time it takes for a failed unit to fall back to Earth by over 80%.
- Rapid re-entry: Craft that might have drifted for four years will instead re-enter the atmosphere and burn up within months.
- Less clutter: There is currently less debris and fewer planned satellites at the 480km mark compared to higher altitudes.
Coordination with Space Command
SpaceX said the manoeuvre is being “tightly coordinated” with the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM), national regulators, and other satellite operators to ensure the transition does not create new risks.
While Starlink reports an extremely high reliability rate—with only two “dead” units out of more than 9,000 launched—the company says it wants any failed spacecraft to exit orbit as quickly as possible.
The African connection
The technical shift is of particular interest to emerging markets where Starlink has rapidly become a dominant player.
In Nigeria, Starlink has climbed to become the country’s second-largest Internet Service Provider (ISP), according to recent data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
SpaceX is also expanding its reach across the continent through a landmark deal with Airtel Africa. The partnership aims to deploy “direct-to-cell” technology, which allows standard mobile phones to connect directly to satellites, potentially bridging connectivity gaps in remote rural areas.
By moving to a lower orbit, SpaceX may also see minor improvements in “latency”—the time it takes for data to travel from the ground to the satellite—further strengthening its competitive edge in the global broadband market.
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