SpaceX Decommissions 260 Starlink Satellites, Raising Environmental Concerns

SpaceX disclosed to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission that it deliberately deorbited 260 Starlink satellites between December 2025 and May 2026. Of these, 176 were first‑generation units and the remainder belonged to the newer Gen2 constellation. The satellites were placed on a controlled re‑entry trajectory, where atmospheric friction completely vaporized them, leaving no debris. The company reported that an additional 349 satellites have already completed the de‑commissioning process and will be retired in the coming months, while the overall Starlink fleet now exceeds 10,000 satellites.

SpaceX’s satellites are designed for a roughly five‑year service life, after which they automatically initiate the de‑orbit sequence. The routine nature of these burn‑ups has prompted scientists and environmental groups to call for more study of potential impacts on the upper atmosphere. The FCC has proposed exempting space activities from National Environmental Policy Act review, a move that has not yet been finalized. Despite the scrutiny, SpaceX continues its expansion plans, seeking permission to launch up to 42,000 Starlink satellites and having received approval in January 2026 for an additional 7,500 Gen2 units. The company is also building a large‑scale “Gigasat” factory and developing the A1 orbital data‑center satellite.