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Starlink will need to deorbit around 100 ‘early-version’ satellites that are subject to a design flaw that could see them fail in orbit and become non-manoeuvrable.
The Elon Musk-founded firm operates a constellation of over 3,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO) that can provide a broadband-quality data service to devices across the globe, including in areas not served by traditional radio towers.
Sister company SpaceX, which manufactures the satellites, said it made it made the decision to deorbit because it is “committed to keeping space safe, sustainable and accessible” for both astronauts in orbit and the public on the ground.
Space debris is a growing problem – as the number of satellites in orbit increases, so does the risk that some of it will collide with manned and unmanned space assets. It is estimated that around one million pieces of debris larger than 1cm are in Earth’s orbit, and around 100 trillion pieces of old satellite are not being tracked.
The Starlink service in particular has faced criticism over its potential impact on space debris because of the sheer number of satellites it plans to launch – nearly 12,000 once the constellation is complete.
SpaceX said it had invested “significant resources” to ensure that its launch vehicles, spacecraft and satellites meet space safety and sustainability regulations. The firm’s satellites exist in an LEO below 600km altitude. Atmospheric drag at these altitudes will deorbit a satellite naturally in five years or less, depending on the altitude and satellite design, should one fail on orbit.
The firm said it proactively deorbits satellites identified at an elevated risk of becoming non-manoeuvrable, and it designs them to burn up fully during their descent into the atmosphere. To date, the firm has initiated controlled deorbits on 406 satellites out of almost 6,000 launched so far. Of those, 17 are currently non-manoeuvrable and are being tracked to help mitigate collision risk with other active satellites.
The other 95% of satellites the Starlink team initiated controlled descent for have already deorbited.
“In the coming weeks and months, SpaceX will perform controlled descents of approximately 100 additional early-version 1 Starlink satellites,” SpaceX said. “These satellites are currently manoeuvrable and serving users effectively, but the Starlink team identified a common issue in this small population of satellites that could increase the probability of failure in the future.
“The satellites will follow a safe, circular and controlled lowering operation that should take approximately six months for most of the vehicles. Controlled, propulsive deorbit is much shorter and safer than a comparable ballistic deorbit from an equivalent altitude.
“All satellites will maintain manoeuvrability and collision avoidance capabilities during the descent.”
SpaceX has the capacity to build up to 55 satellites per week and launch more than 200 satellites a month as it further expands its space-based network.
