— Starlink will reconfigure its satellite constellation in 2026 by lowering all spacecraft currently operating at an altitude of about 550 kilometres to roughly 480 kilometres, according to a senior SpaceX executive.
Michael Nicolls, SpaceX’s vice president of Starlink engineering, said the move is aimed at improving safety in Earth’s orbit by concentrating satellites in a less crowded region below 500 kilometres, thereby reducing collision risks.
The announcement follows a December incident in which a Starlink satellite suffered an anomaly, produced a small amount of debris, and lost contact at an altitude of around 418 kilometres. Nicolls said the incident was likely caused by an onboard explosion.
The number of satellites in orbit has increased sharply in recent years as governments and private companies expand space-based communication and navigation services, raising concerns about congestion and orbital debris.
File Photo: Representational
