Starlink · SpaceX · FCC · Tom's Hardware
SpaceX vaporizes 260 Starlink satellites in six months applying Earth's atmosphere
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SpaceX has confirmed in a semi-annual report submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) earlier this month that it disposed of 260 Starlink satellites between December 2025 and May 2026, intentionally vaporizing them via re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.
Key facts
- SpaceX has confirmed in a semi-annual report submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) earlier this month that it disposed of 260 Starlink satellites between December 2025
- It removed more than 472 satellite links from orbit between December 2024 and May 2025
- An additional 349 satellites were decommissioned within that 6-month period and will be disposed of in the coming months
- SpaceX has a multi-phased goal to eventually deploy up to 42,000 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit and obtained FCC approval for 7,500 additional Starlink Gen2 satellites in January
Summary
SpaceX’s Starlink operates a huge constellation of over 10,000 satellites as of the time of this report, even as the company plans for Starlink Mobile, which will provide satellite internet directly to mobile phones. The constellation is so large and varied that Starlink reportedly disposes of multiple satellites daily. While Starlink’s disposal approach disintegrates 100% of the spacecraft, leaving behind no falling debris, it has raised concerns about its effect on the atmosphere. Any regulation would likely be under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). SpaceX has a multi-phased goal to eventually deploy up to 42,000 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit and obtained FCC approval for 7,500 additional Starlink Gen2 satellites in January.