Starlink will begin lowering the operating altitude of thousands of its satellites in 2026, a move aimed at easing congestion and improving safety in low Earth orbit as satellite traffic continues to surge. The plan will see spacecraft currently flying at around 550 kilometers, or 342 miles, gradually moved down to approximately 298 miles above Earth’s surface, as reported by Space.com.
The change was confirmed by Michael Nicolls, vice president of Starlink engineering at SpaceX, who said the adjustment will involve roughly 4,400 satellites and will be carried out over the course of the year. Once completed, the majority of the Starlink constellation will operate at lower altitudes, where orbital traffic is currently less dense.
The decision comes amid growing concern from regulators and space safety experts about the rapid buildup of objects in low Earth orbit. Thousands of satellites have been launched in recent years to support broadband internet, communications, and Earth observation services. As more companies deploy large constellations, the risk of accidental collisions and long lived debris has become a central issue in space governance.
Lowering Starlink’s operating altitude is intended to address several of these concerns at once. According to Nicolls, operating below 500 kilometers significantly reduces the number of other satellites and debris objects sharing the same orbital band. This lowers the overall probability of collisions. In addition, satellites flying closer to Earth experience more atmospheric drag, which means they naturally reenter the atmosphere more quickly at the end of their service life. That reduces the chance of defunct spacecraft lingering in orbit for decades.
The move follows a rare but notable incident disclosed by SpaceX in December, when one Starlink satellite suffered an in orbit anomaly that generated a small amount of debris and cut off communications. The spacecraft rapidly lost altitude, a sign that engineers believe may point to an internal explosion. While SpaceX described the event as unusual, it underscored the importance of designing constellations that minimize long term orbital risk.
Starlink, the satellite internet network operated by SpaceX, has become the world’s largest satellite constellation, with nearly 10,000 spacecraft currently in orbit. The system provides broadband connectivity to consumers, governments, and businesses across much of the globe, and its scale has made it a focal point in discussions about orbital sustainability.
By committing to lower operational orbits, SpaceX is signaling a more cautious approach as it continues to expand the network. Space analysts note that similar strategies may become standard practice as low Earth orbit grows more crowded and pressure mounts on satellite operators to manage space traffic responsibly.
