SpaceX Disposes of 260 Satellites
SpaceX vaporized 260 Starlink satellites in six months, raising environmental concerns and prompting an FCC exemption request.
Key points
- SpaceX disposed of 260 Starlink satellites between December 2025 and May 2026 by intentionally re-entering them into the Earth's atmosphere.
- The satellites, weighing around 573 to 650 pounds, were part of the first and second-generation Starlink constellations.
- An additional 349 satellites were decommissioned and will be disposed of in the coming months, with multiple satellites being removed daily.
- The FCC is considering exempting satellites from regulations, amid growing environmental concerns over burning orbital data centers.
- SpaceX's Starlink constellation consists of over 10,000 satellites, with each having a lifespan of around 5 years before being replaced.
- The company plans to expand its services with Starlink Mobile, providing satellite internet directly to mobile phones.
SpaceX has confirmed the disposal of 260 Starlink satellites in a semi-annual report submitted to the FCC. The satellites were intentionally vaporized via re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere between December 2025 and May 2026. This move has raised environmental concerns, with the FCC considering exempting satellites from regulations. The Starlink constellation, consisting of over 10,000 satellites, has a planned lifespan of around 5 years for each satellite, after which they are replaced. The company is expanding its services with Starlink Mobile, providing satellite internet directly to mobile phones. The disposal of satellites has sparked concerns over the burning of orbital data centers, with the FCC seeking to address these issues.
Sources
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