SpaceX to deorbit hundreds of Starlink satellites over hardware flaw

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SpaceX will begin deorbiting several hundred Starlink satellites after detecting a potential design flaw in their propulsion systems, the company announced this week. The move underscores SpaceX’s proactive approach to maintaining orbital safety and network integrity amid its growing constellation of over 6,000 operational satellites. 

In a company blog post, SpaceX said the affected satellites belong to an early Starlink V2 Mini batch launched in 2023 and 2024. Engineers identified anomalies in onboard thruster hardware that could reduce long-term reliability but stressed that the satellites currently pose no risk of collision or debris generation.

To mitigate potential issues, the company will guide these satellites through controlled deorbiting, ensuring they re-enter Earth’s atmosphere safely and burn up completely. The process is expected to take several months.

“Space sustainability is core to our mission,” the company said. “By deorbiting these satellites early, we’re ensuring a safe and responsible orbital environment for future missions.”

SpaceX added that newer V2 models already incorporate hardware and software improvements addressing the defect. The Starlink network, which provides broadband internet to more than 3 million users globally, will remain unaffected by the deorbiting process.

Analysts have praised SpaceX’s transparency, calling it a benchmark for responsible space operations as satellite constellations grow rapidly. The move also aligns with NASA and FCC guidelines advocating preemptive deorbiting for satellites showing degraded performance.