Starlink is a satellite internet network service that covers almost the entire world, and can be enjoyed by anyone, no matter where they are. The company currently has a network of 10 thousand satellites that constantly orbit the Earth at all times.
Starlink is currently upgrading this satellite network with second-generation satellites, and one of the processes of this upgrade is to dispose of existing old and no longer operating satellites to reduce space debris. Starlink does this process by using the remnants of existing fuel to plunge into the Earth's atmosphere, where these satellites will burn up completely without any residue.
Through a recent report submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Starlink has disposed of 260 satellites in this way during the period from December 2025 to June 2026. According to the report, 176 satellites are first-generation satellites, while the rest are part of the second-generation group. Starlink has also disposed of 472 satellites in a similar manner from December 2024 to May 2025, so this is nothing new.
Each Starlink satellite weighs around 260kg to 295kg for the first generation model and 800kg to 1250kg for the second generation model, so bringing back satellites that have expired their useful life (5 years) is seen as not worth the cost of bringing them back, and therefore, atmospheric burning is seen as the best and safest way to dispose of these satellites.
Many parties, especially environmental NGOs, have asked the FCC to analyze if this method of disposal is safe for the Earth's atmosphere that protects us not only from excessive UV rays, but also provides oxygen for life on Earth and others.
According to several reports, the FCC said that such tests do not fall under their jurisdiction, but the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). However, NEPA's jurisdiction is seen as limited to the borders of the United States, and it would be difficult for them to tie up the Starlink satellites that have a global network. Starlink is also in the process of increasing its number of satellites to 42,000, up from 10,000 now.
