In its semi-annual report submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in July, SpaceX confirmed that it deorbited 260 Starlink satellites between December 2025 and May 2026. The FCC has proposed classifying space activities as "extra-territorial activities," arguing they should be exempt from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This proposal has not yet been approved and has sparked strong opposition from environmental groups.
FCC Semi-Annual Report Data: 260 Deorbited, 349 Pending Disposal
According to SpaceX's FCC semi-annual report submitted in July 2026, the company deorbited 260 Starlink satellites between December 2025 and May 2026. During the same period, another 349 satellites have completed the decommissioning process and are awaiting disposal in the coming months. In comparison, in the previous six-month period (December 2024 to May 2025), SpaceX removed over 472 satellites, showing that this period's deorbit count of 260 is lower than the previous cycle.
Each satellite has a design life of about 5 years, which is to some extent intentionally arranged to allow regular replacement with newer models. When the satellite's fuel is depleted, the system automatically initiates a controlled deorbit procedure.
First Generation 260-295 kg, and Second Generation Both 100% Burned Up
The first-generation Starlink satellites weigh about 260 to 295 kilograms, while the second-generation satellites weigh 800 to 1,250 kilograms. SpaceX stated that recovering deorbited satellites is technically infeasible and financially unviable, so it chooses to lower the satellites' orbit altitude and let them re-enter the atmosphere, where they are 100% burned up due to high-temperature friction, leaving no debris that falls to the ground.
As the constellation size has exceeded 10,000 satellites, Starlink disposes of multiple satellites that have reached their design life every day, and satellite burn-up has shifted from an occasional event to a routine operational norm.
FCC Extra-Territorial Exemption Proposal: Controversy Over NEPA Environmental Review Exemption
The FCC has formally proposed classifying space activities as "extra-territorial activities," arguing that the relevant impacts occur entirely outside U.S. jurisdiction and therefore should be exempt from the environmental review requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The FCC has long refrained from subjecting satellites to environmental review, citing the need to avoid regulations slowing down the space race.
As of the reporting date, this proposal has not yet been approved and has drawn strong backlash from environmental groups. The scientific community calls for more in-depth research on the atmospheric environmental impact of large-scale satellite burn-up and the formulation of corresponding regulations, with a particular focus on the effect of metal oxide deposition in the upper atmosphere on the ozone layer.
SpaceX Expansion Plan of 42,000 Satellites: 7,500 New Second-Generation Approved
According to SpaceX's long-term deployment target, Starlink will ultimately deploy up to 42,000 satellites into low Earth orbit. In January 2026, the FCC approved an additional launch of 7,500 second-generation satellites.
To support production needs, SpaceX is building a Gigasat manufacturing facility covering 11 million square feet. At the same time, the A1 satellite orbital data center plan was announced, with a computing load capacity of 120 kilowatts.
If SpaceX's target of 42,000 satellites is achieved, the satellite replacement rate will increase significantly, and the corresponding annual atmospheric burn-up scale will also increase proportionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does SpaceX choose to burn up satellites instead of recycling them?
According to SpaceX's official explanation, recovering deorbited satellites is technically infeasible and financially unviable. The controlled atmospheric reentry method allows the satellite to be 100% completely vaporized under high-temperature friction, leaving no debris that could harm the ground or ocean. Each Starlink satellite has a design life of about 5 years, which is partly intentionally arranged to allow regular replacement with newer models.
What is the current progress of the FCC's NEPA exemption proposal, and what are the main demands of environmental groups?
According to reports, the FCC has formally proposed classifying space activities as "extra-territorial activities" and exempting them from NEPA environmental review, but this proposal has not yet been approved. Environmental groups strongly oppose this exemption, and the scientific community calls for in-depth research on the atmospheric impact of large-scale satellite burn-up and the formulation of regulations. For specific progress on the proposal, refer to the FCC's official announcements.
What is Starlink's current in-orbit satellite scale and future expansion plan?
According to reports, Starlink currently has over 10,000 satellites in orbit, and SpaceX's long-term target is to deploy up to 42,000 satellites. In January 2026, the FCC approved an additional launch of 7,500 second-generation satellites. SpaceX is building a Gigasat manufacturing facility covering 11 million square feet to support production needs.
