SpaceX Decommissions 260 Starlink Satellites by Atmospheric Burn-Up in Six Months

• July 6, 2026

SpaceX has disclosed that it intentionally deorbited 260 Starlink satellites over a six-month period through controlled atmospheric reentry. The information was revealed in a recent report filed with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Satellites Safely Removed via Atmospheric Disposal

The report covers the timeframe from December 2025 to May 2026 and details the company’s efforts to retire Starlink satellites by steering them into Earth’s denser atmospheric layers. This process causes the satellites to burn up safely upon reentry, mitigating the risk of space debris.

By actively managing the disposal of its satellites, SpaceX demonstrates its commitment to responsible space operations and maintaining sustainable orbital environments. The decommissioned units make way for newer satellites or adjustments in the constellation to optimize performance.

SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network remains one of the largest in low Earth orbit, aimed at providing global broadband internet access. Routine satellite retirement and replacement help to maintain the reliability and efficiency of the constellation as technology upgrades and orbital conditions evolve.

The filings with the FCC provide transparency regarding SpaceX’s satellite lifecycle management practices, contributing to broader industry efforts to address concerns about orbital congestion and debris mitigation. The company did not disclose further specifics about future satellite retirements or the overall number of active units in the constellation.

SpaceX confirmed that it deorbited 260 Starlink satellites between December 2025 and May 2026 by allowing them to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.