• Starlink plans to reconfigure approximately 4,400 satellites by lowering their orbits to about 480 km to reduce collision risks and space debris.
• Experts and space safety advocates question whether the move sufficiently addresses the broader issues of orbital congestion and long-term sustainability.
What happened: orbit adjustment plan
Starlink, the satellite internet network operated by SpaceX, announced that it will lower the orbits of a large portion of its satellite constellation throughout 2026 to enhance space safety. The change will see around 4,400 satellites currently orbiting at roughly 550 km descend to around 480 km above Earth’s surface over the course of the year.
Michael Nicolls, vice president of Starlink engineering, said the reconfiguration is intended to reduce the risk of collisions and improve the likelihood that defunct or failing satellites naturally deorbit more quickly. By operating in a lower altitude region where there are fewer debris objects and fewer planned satellite constellations, the aggregate likelihood of a collision is expected to decrease.
The decision follows previous incidents, including a late-2025 anomaly involving a Starlink satellite at around 418 km altitude that generated debris and lost contact, underscoring that even well-maintained satellites can malfunction.
Lower altitudes subject satellites to slightly greater atmospheric drag, meaning that failed spacecraft would re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up more rapidly, rather than remaining in orbit for prolonged periods. This is significant given that dense clusters of satellites at higher altitudes can increase the chance of collisions in a crowded low-Earth orbit environment.
Starlink has grown into one of the largest satellite constellations in orbit, with roughly 9,000 operational satellites providing broadband internet service to customers across dozens of countries. Its rapid expansion has contributed to wider discussions around space traffic management and orbital sustainability.
Also Read: South Western Railway trials Starlink satellite internet on trains
Also Read: Airtel Africa and SpaceX team up for Starlink satellite-to-mobile connectivity
Why it’s important
The plan to lower satellite orbits highlights the increasing recognition within the space industry that orbital congestion and debris are critical safety issues as thousands of satellites from multiple operators crowd low-Earth orbit. Starlink’s 2026 reconfiguration reflects an attempt to address these concerns proactively. However, the measure has prompted questions about whether this alone will be sufficient to mitigate long-term risks.
Lowering orbits can help reduce collision probability and accelerate deorbiting of malfunctioning spacecraft, but it may also require additional fuel and careful coordination to avoid creating temporary hazards during the manoeuvres. Space safety advocates have noted that while individual operators can take steps to reduce risk, systemic solutions involving international coordination, regulatory standards and improved space traffic monitoring may be needed to address congestion comprehensively.
Critics also point out that placing satellites closer together in a lower orbital band could create new challenges. Although there are fewer objects in that region compared with higher altitudes, increased density of active satellites may necessitate more complex collision avoidance strategies and tracking.
Additionally, the broader context of space sustainability extends beyond individual constellations. With other companies and nations planning large networks of satellites, the cumulative effect on orbital traffic and debris risk remains a topic of concern among aerospace professionals and regulators. A single operator’s adjustments, even at scale, may not mitigate all systemic dangers without cooperative international oversight and improved debris mitigation standards.
The lower orbit strategy does offer a practical benefit for natural satellite disposal and potentially shorter ballistic decay times. Yet its real impact on long-term orbital safety will depend on how well Starlink and other operators integrate these changes with wider space traffic management frameworks.
