{"id":536103,"date":"2026-07-11T09:05:39","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T09:05:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/536103\/"},"modified":"2026-07-11T09:05:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T09:05:39","slug":"spacex-vaporizes-260-starlink-satellites-in-six-months-using-earths-atmosphere-new-environmental-concerns-emerge-over-burning-2700-pound-orbital-data-centers-fcc-seeks-to-exempt-satellite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/536103\/","title":{"rendered":"SpaceX vaporizes 260 Starlink satellites in six months using Earth’s atmosphere \u2014 new environmental concerns emerge over burning 2,700-pound orbital data centers, FCC seeks to exempt satellites from regulations"},"content":{"rendered":"

SpaceX has confirmed in a semi-annual report<\/a> submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) earlier this month that it disposed of 260 Starlink satellites between December 2025 and May 2026, intentionally vaporizing them via re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. According to the report, 176 of these satellites belonged to the first-generation Starlink constellation, with the rest belonging to the second generation. An additional 349 satellites were decommissioned within that 6-month period and will be disposed of in the coming months.<\/p>\n

SpaceX\u2019s Starlink operates a huge constellation of over 10,000 satellites as of the time of this report, even as the company plans for Starlink Mobile<\/a>, which will provide satellite internet directly to mobile phones. However, each of these satellites has a lifespan of about 5 years, a somewhat intentional setup to allow swapping for newer versions, after which their fuel depletes. When this happens, the satellite is programmed to use its remaining fuel to perform a controlled de-orbit. It lowers its altitude and plunges into Earth’s atmosphere, where extreme friction completely incinerates 100% of the spacecraft.<\/p>\n

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The constellation is so large and varied that Starlink reportedly disposes of multiple satellites daily. It removed more than 472 satellite links from orbit between December 2024 and May 2025. Retrieving the deorbited satellites \u2014 which weigh roughly 573 to 650 pounds (260 to 295 kg) for first-generation units and 1,764 to 2,756 pounds (800 to 1,250 kg) for second-generation units \u2014 is technically impractical and financially unviable, according to the company. Hence, the incineration technique.<\/p>\n

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While Starlink\u2019s disposal approach disintegrates 100% of the spacecraft, leaving behind no falling debris, it has raised concerns about its effect on the atmosphere. Researchers have urged further studies and regulations on the environmental impact of satellites. The FCC has long excluded satellites from environmental reviews, reportedly out of concern that regulations might slow the space race. Any regulation would likely be under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). However, the FCC is officially proposing \u201cthat space-based operations be excluded from NEPA because they are \u2018extraterritorial activities\u2019 with effects located entirely outside of the jurisdiction of the United States.\u201d The proposal is yet to be approved.<\/p>\n

SpaceX has a multi-phased goal to eventually deploy up to 42,000 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit and obtained FCC approval for 7,500 additional Starlink Gen2 satellites<\/a> in January. Meanwhile, the company has unveiled plans for its A1 satellite orbital data center<\/a>, with a 120 kW compute payload. SpaceX is currently building an 11-million-square-foot Gigasat manufacturing facility<\/a> for these satellites.<\/p>\n

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