Elon Musk-owned Starlink is planning to lower about 4,400 of its satellites from an altitude of roughly 550 kilometres to about 480 kilometres in 2026 as part of a large-scale orbital reconfiguration aimed at improving space safety.
The disclosure was made by the Vice President of Starlink Engineering at SpaceX, Michael Nicholls, in a post shared on X.
The planned move is intended to condense Starlink’s orbital shells, shorten satellite deorbit times, and reduce the risk of collisions as the solar minimum approaches, a period when lower atmospheric density allows satellites to remain in orbit for longer durations.
Nicholls explained that Starlink would begin lowering all satellites currently operating at around 550 kilometres to approximately 480 kilometres, noting that the process would take place throughout 2026.
He said the shell-lowering exercise is being “tightly coordinated” with other satellite operators, regulatory authorities, and the United States Space Command, underscoring the collaborative nature of the initiative.
According to him, operating satellites at lower altitudes significantly improves safety outcomes, particularly during solar minimum periods when reduced atmospheric drag increases the ballistic decay time of satellites left in higher orbits.
Nicholls stated that lowering Starlink satellites below 500 kilometres could lead to more than an 80 per cent reduction in ballistic decay time during solar minimum conditions.
He explained that in practical terms, satellites that might otherwise take four years or longer to deorbit could instead re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere within just a few months.
Nicholls also pointed out that there are fewer debris objects and fewer planned satellite constellations operating below the 500-kilometre mark, a factor that substantially lowers the overall probability of orbital collisions.
While Starlink satellites are described as having “extremely high reliability,” with only two dead satellites recorded out of more than 9,000 operational units, the company said it wants any failed spacecraft to deorbit as quickly as possible in order to minimise long-term risks.
The rapid expansion of satellite constellations has intensified global concerns about space debris, collision hazards, and the long-term sustainability of low Earth orbit.
By proactively lowering its satellites and working closely with regulators and other operators, SpaceX is positioning Starlink as a safety-conscious participant in an increasingly congested orbital environment.
The move could also shape how regulators and international bodies evaluate best practices for managing large satellite constellations in the future.
Starlink is currently the largest satellite constellation in the world and provides broadband internet services across multiple regions, including parts of Africa.
In Nigeria, Starlink is presently the second-largest internet service provider, with 66,523 customers as of the second quarter of 2025, according to data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission.
Starlink’s footprint across Africa is also expanding, with its direct-to-cell service widely regarded as a potential game-changer in bridging connectivity gaps across the continent.
In that context, Airtel Africa recently entered into a landmark agreement with SpaceX to deploy Starlink direct-to-cell services across several African countries, including Nigeria.
