“With difficult-to-control risks such as uncoordinated maneuvers and launches by other satellite operators,” Nicolls explained, lowering Starlink satellites will further improve the safety of the constellation.”
Lower Orbits Will Improve Starlink Space Safety
Lowering Starlink’s satellites offers multiple safety benefits. A key factor is the upcoming solar minimum, expected in the early 2030s.
During this phase of the Sun’s 11-year cycle, reduced solar activity leads to lower atmospheric density at higher altitudes, meaning satellites take far longer to naturally decay.
“As solar minimum approaches, atmospheric density decreases,” Nicolls wrote. “Lowering will mean a >80% reduction in ballistic decay time in solar minimum, or 4+ years reduced to a few months.”
Starlink Is a Massive Constellation
The Starlink constellation now includes nearly 9,300 active satellites, accounting for roughly 65 percent of all operational spacecraft in orbit. More than 3,000 satellites were launched this year alone, across 121 SpaceX missions, averaging nearly one launch every three days.
Source: SpaceX — https://www.spacex.com
