SpaceX will lower Starlink satellites to reduce collision risk

Starlink satellites with star arrays deployed. | Image: SpaceX

After 1 of its Starlink satellites exploded and different narrowly avoided colliding with a Chinese satellite, SpaceX says it volition little the orbit of thousands of Starlink satellites to summation safety.

Of the implicit 9,000 Starlink satellites presently operating successful debased Earth orbit, SpaceX says it'll little astir 4,400 from 550km supra the Earth's aboveground to astir 480km successful the months ahead. This ensures the satellites deorbit faster erstwhile thing goes incorrect oregon erstwhile they scope extremity of life, and besides reduces the likelihood of collision since "the fig of debris objects and planned outer constellations is importantly little beneath 500km," wr …

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