Starlink is lowering the orbit of thousands of satellites after a dangerous close encounter with a Chinese satellite

SpaceX Vice President of Engineering Michael Nichols confirmed these plans, stating that the major reconfiguration is aimed at improving safety in space. He noted that the work is being carried out in close coordination with other operators, regulatory authorities, and the U.S. Space Command, and the process is scheduled for completion by 2026.

There are currently approximately 15,000 satellites in low Earth orbit, and the Starlink constellation is the largest, with over 9,000 satellites. The company has received approval to expand its fleet and plans further growth, as do competitors such as Amazon Kuiper and China's SpaceSail . This is leading to increased congestion in near-Earth space.

Lowering the orbital altitude of some satellites could reduce the risk of collisions. However, this decision also has technical implications. As Chinese researchers note, in a lower orbit, satellites experience greater drag, leading to increased fuel consumption to maintain their position. Otherwise, the satellites could deorbit prematurely and burn up in the atmosphere. Despite this trade-off, such measures are considered necessary given the growing number of spacecraft in orbit.