As of the end of 2025, the Earth is orbited by over 14,000 active satellites from various nations, with SpaceX holding the largest fleet. The company plans to move approximately one-third of its Starlink Internet satellites to lower altitudes as part of a significant reconfiguration aimed at enhancing space safety. This maneuver will involve about 4,400 Starlink satellites transitioning from an altitude of 341 miles (550 kilometers) to 298 miles (480 kilometers) throughout 2026, as announced by SpaceX’s vice president of Starlink engineering, Michael Nicolls.
In a recent post on X, Nicolls explained that these maneuvers will utilize the satellites’ plasma engines and will be executed gradually. The primary goal is to reduce the risk of collisions between satellites, which travel in near-Earth space at speeds approaching 5 miles per second. Despite the closer proximity of the satellites, Nicolls emphasized that the choreographed paths will be organized across multiple orbital lanes, thereby mitigating collision risks. He stated that this decision is intended to “increase space safety in several ways.”
A key factor in this initiative is the reduction of debris objects at lower altitudes. While the Starlink satellites will be more densely populated in their new orbits, the overall likelihood of collisions will be diminished due to the significantly lower number of debris and planned satellite constellations in altitudes below 500 kilometers.
This strategic move also coincides with natural changes in solar activity. Following the peak of the 11-year solar cycle in 2024, the Sun is entering a quieter phase, which results in decreased air density in the upper layers of the atmosphere. This factor is crucial for satellite operations in low-Earth orbit. Consequently, the Starlink satellites will experience less aerodynamic drag at the new lower altitudes. In the unlikely event of a spacecraft failure, this will aid in ensuring that the satellites can safely reenter the atmosphere and burn up within a few months, rather than staying in higher orbits for over four years.
With nearly 9,400 satellites currently in orbit, including more than 8,000 operational Starlinks, SpaceX’s reconfiguration of its fleet marks a pivotal step not only in enhancing connectivity initiatives but also in contributing to the safety of near-Earth space activities. As the satellite services landscape evolves, these efforts reflect a commitment to addressing the challenges of space traffic management while simultaneously improving the efficacy of satellite communications.