spaceX satellites destroyed by solar storm in atmosphere
According to a report submitted by SpaceX to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the number of Starlink satellites being decommissioned—specifically those slated for disposal between December 2025 and May 2026—has risen slightly compared to the previous six-month period. The number of Starlink satellites intentionally burned up in Earth’s orbit appears to be on the rise again; in recent months, another 260 satellites were destroyed by burning up upon re-entering the atmosphere. According to SpaceX’s semi-annual report submitted to the FCC on Wednesday, these satellites re-entered the atmosphere between December 2025 and May 2026. Of these, 176 belonged to the first-generation Starlink constellation (a group of satellites), while the remainder were from the second generation.
During this six-month period, an additional 349 satellites were taken out of operation and are slated for destruction. This figure of 260 is slightly higher than the 218 satellites destroyed by SpaceX between June and November 2025. Starlink satellites are designed to operate for five years, meaning SpaceX continuously updates the constellation with new satellites. Meanwhile, older satellites are eventually sent back into the atmosphere to burn up; this process destroys the hardware completely, ensuring no harm comes to anyone on the ground.
The Starlink satellite constellation has grown to include over 10,000 deployed satellites; SpaceX occasionally retires older satellites by de-orbiting them—a process that can involve removing up to four or five satellites in a single day. Between December 2024 and May 2025, the company de-orbited 472 Starlink satellites, a significant figure. Astronomer Jonathan McDowell notes that a total of 1,344 Starlink satellites have re-entered the atmosphere.
This de-orbiting process has raised concerns that the disintegrating satellites could release harmful gases that damage the ozone layer, prompting researchers to call for further study of the issue. Some have also urged the US to conduct an environmental review. However, the FCC is considering exempting Starlink and other large satellite constellations from such assessments, as the regulator prioritizes US dominance in space.
Why is losing a Starlink satellite significant for SpaceX?
A rare malfunction involving a SpaceX Starlink satellite highlights the challenges associated with operating satellite constellations amidst the congestion of thousands of spacecraft in low-Earth orbit. Many Starlink satellites have fallen from the atmosphere toward Earth and been destroyed.
What happens to Starlink satellites when they deorbit?
By Sterlink’s design, approximately one or two Sterlink satellites fall back to Earth each day. They orbit at low altitudes, encounter atmospheric friction, and are safely de-orbited to reduce space debris. Most of their components burn up upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, making this a normal and controlled part of modern space missions.
Did a Starlink satellites get destroyed?
Starlink satellite break apart into small part of object spaceX confirm anomaly satellite failure cause is unexplained after second fragment creation event
How many SpaceX satellites fallen in earth?
A large number of SpaceX satellites—more than 10,000—have fallen to Earth. Per day 1 to 3 fall in earth .