The vast expanse of low Earth orbit, once a relatively sparse domain, is becoming increasingly crowded, prompting significant operational adjustments from major players. SpaceX, a dominant force in this sphere through its Starlink constellation, announced plans to gradually lower thousands of its satellites beginning in 2026. This strategic shift involves approximately 4,400 satellites, currently positioned at an altitude of 550 kilometers, which will descend to 480 kilometers over the course of that year.
According to Michael Nicholls, SpaceX’s vice-president of engineering, this reduction in altitude offers several critical benefits. Primarily, it significantly shortens the time it takes for a satellite to naturally de-orbit or decay at the end of its operational life, by more than 80 percent. This accelerated decay rate is crucial for mitigating the accumulation of space junk. Furthermore, the lower altitude itself inherently reduces collision risks, a key concern given the increasing density of objects in LEO. Nicholls emphasized that operating below the 500-kilometer mark places Starlink satellites in a less congested region, thereby alleviating dangers associated with “uncoordinated maneuvers and launches by other satellite operators.”
This decision by SpaceX follows a specific incident in December involving one of its own satellites. The event, which SpaceX described as having generated a “small” amount of debris, disrupted communications with a spacecraft operating at 418 kilometers. While the company stated it would investigate the cause, the episode underscored the inherent risks of a rapidly expanding satellite presence.
The sheer volume of objects in low Earth orbit presents an escalating challenge. Estimates from the European Space Agency (ESA) suggest that some 40,000 objects currently traverse LEO, defined as altitudes below 2,000 kilometers. A closer look at these figures reveals that only about 11,000 are active payloads or operational satellites. Of those, a staggering 9,300 are attributed to SpaceX, according to December figures compiled by astronomer Jonathan McDowell, who meticulously tracks these orbital assets. Beyond active satellites, the ESA also reports over 1.2 million objects larger than one centimeter, each capable of inflicting “catastrophic damage” in the event of a collision.
To manage this complex environment, satellites routinely perform automated adjustments to their orbits, relying on data from national tracking systems such as the United States Space Command. However, the frequency of these maneuvers is sharply increasing. Hugh Lewis, a professor of aeronautics at the University of Birmingham, observed a dramatic uptick in conjunction risk mitigation maneuvers performed by SpaceX. From December 2024 to May 2025, Starlink satellites executed 144,404 such avoidance actions, representing a 200 percent increase compared to the preceding six months. Lewis attributes this surge directly to the expanding Starlink fleet and the overall rise in orbital debris.
The move to lower the Starlink constellation reflects a growing imperative within the space industry to proactively address the challenges of orbital congestion and debris. While the benefits for Starlink’s own operations are clear, the broader implications for the sustainability of low Earth orbit are equally significant. As more nations and private entities launch their own constellations, the strategies employed by leading operators like SpaceX will likely set precedents for responsible space utilization in the decades to come.
