Aerospace company SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, has once again increased the intensity of its Starlink satellite disposals as part of its constellation technology renewal strategy. A recent report submitted to the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) revealed that as many as 260 satellite units were intentionally burned up during atmospheric re-entry over the past few months.
This deorbiting step was taken due to the satellites' limited operational lifespan of only five years, requiring SpaceX to periodically regenerate its fleet. Of the total satellites disposed of between December 2025 and May 2026, 176 units were from the first generation, while the rest were second-generation devices. To date, more than 1,344 Starlink satellites have been destroyed by burning up in Earth's atmosphere.
Although management assures that the burnup process is complete without leaving hazardous debris that could threaten populations on the ground, academics and environmental researchers are beginning to express concern. Several researchers warn that the vaporization of satellite materials in the atmosphere risks releasing gas emissions that could potentially damage Earth's ozone layer.
These concerns have prompted calls for relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive environmental impact assessment of commercial space activities. However, such evaluation steps face major challenges due to geopolitical and economic interests. Currently, the FCC is even considering exempting Starlink from environmental impact analysis assessment obligations to maintain the United States' strategic advantage in the global space industry sector.
