SpaceX lowers 4,400 Starlink satellites to safer orbits by 2026

SpaceX will lower thousands of Starlink satellites to a new, safer orbit by the end of 2026. The decision comes after a recent malfunction caused one satellite to spiral uncontrollably toward Earth. Over 4,400 satellites will shift from around 550 kilometres to 480 kilometres above the planet.

The move aims to cut debris risks and speed up the removal of failed satellites from orbit.

The change follows an incident in December 2025, when a Starlink satellite experienced a critical failure. Instead of deorbiting safely, it began an uncontrolled descent, raising concerns about space debris. SpaceX now plans to reduce the orbital height of its fleet to minimise similar risks in the future.

Operating at 480 kilometres will shorten the time it takes for a defunct satellite to re-enter Earth's atmosphere. During periods of low solar activity, this decay time will drop from over four years to just a few months—an 80% improvement. The lower altitude will also ease congestion in low Earth orbit, reducing collision risks with other spacecraft.

The adjustment coincides with Starlink's next major upgrade. In 2026, the company will launch its next-generation V3 satellites using SpaceX's Starship rocket. However, as of March 2026, no V3 satellites have reached orbit. The first test flight carrying V3 hardware (Booster 19 and Ship 39) is scheduled for no earlier than April 7, with full deployments expected from mid-2027 onward.

Starlink's network continues to expand, with over 9,000 active satellites currently in orbit. That number is set to surpass 10,000 in the coming weeks, making the safety measures even more critical.

The orbital shift will affect around 4,400 satellites, all transitioning to the new altitude by late 2026. SpaceX's goal is to remove failed satellites faster, cutting hazards for other missions. The lower orbit should also help manage the growing number of spacecraft in low Earth orbit more effectively.