Elon Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink plans to lower about 4,400 satellites from an altitude of roughly 550 kilometres to around 480 kilometres in 2026, as part of a major effort to improve space safety.
The plan was disclosed by Michael Nicholls, Vice President of Starlink Engineering at SpaceX, in a post on X.
Nicholls said the orbital reconfiguration would take place throughout 2026 and is aimed at condensing Starlink’s orbital shells, shortening deorbit times and reducing collision risks, particularly as the solar minimum approaches.
During solar minimum periods, reduced atmospheric drag causes satellites to remain in orbit longer, increasing the risk of space debris. Operating below 500 kilometres, Nicholls said, could reduce ballistic decay time by more than 80%, allowing failed satellites to re-enter the atmosphere within months rather than years.
The process is being coordinated with other satellite operators, regulators and the United States Space Command, according to Nicholls.
He noted that lower orbital altitudes also contain fewer debris objects and fewer planned satellite constellations, further reducing collision risks. While Starlink reports only two failed satellites out of more than 9,000 currently in orbit, the company says rapid deorbiting remains a priority.
The move comes amid growing global concern over congestion in low Earth orbit and could influence future regulatory standards for large satellite constellations.
