SpaceX lowers Starlink satellites to fight growing space debris risks

SpaceX is adjusting its satellite strategy to tackle growing concerns over space debris. The company's Starlink project, which delivers broadband internet to remote areas, has placed thousands of satellites in orbit. Now, fears about collisions and the Kessler syndrome—a theory predicting cascading debris crashes—are prompting changes.

By July 2024, SpaceX had launched 6,697 Starlink satellites, though not all remain active. The original plan for the first phase included 1,584 satellites at around 550 km, but many now orbit between 328 km and 614 km. Some have already been deorbited, with none of the 2019 test models still in space.

The risk of space debris is rising, as seen in past damage to Chinese space stations. To reduce collision threats, SpaceX will lower the altitude of nearly half its satellites by 2026. Lower orbits increase atmospheric drag, helping failed satellites fall out of orbit faster.

Meanwhile, Japan has suggested a new approach to clean up debris: a plasma propulsion engine. The technology aims to remove defunct objects before they become hazards.

SpaceX currently has around 9,400 satellites circling Earth. By lowering their orbits, the company hopes to cut collision risks and slow the buildup of space junk. The move reflects wider efforts to manage an increasingly crowded orbital environment.