Satellites
Starlink lowers orbits of thousands of satellites for space safety
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SpaceX's Starlink plans to lower the orbits of about 4,400 satellites from 342 miles to 298 miles this year to enhance space safety amid growing orbital congestion. The move, announced by engineering vice president Michael Nicholls, aims to reduce collision risks and speed up deorbiting during the approaching solar minimum. It follows recent near-misses and a satellite anomaly, highlighting challenges in low-Earth orbit.
SpaceX has filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission to deploy up to one million satellites forming an orbital data center powered by solar energy to meet AI computing demands. The proposed network would vastly exceed current satellite numbers in orbit. The FCC will review the request, likely adjusting the scale as it has in past approvals.
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SpaceX's Starlink satellite constellation executed around 300,000 manoeuvres to dodge potential collisions in 2025, marking a 50 per cent rise from the previous year. The company's report to US regulators highlights the growing congestion in Earth's orbit. Experts warn that such high numbers signal unsustainable traffic in space.
Tesla has filed a patent for a vehicle roof assembly that enables direct satellite communication, hinting at potential Starlink integration. The design uses radio frequency transparent materials to allow antennas to be hidden within the roof structure. This could provide seamless connectivity in areas without cellular coverage.
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Researchers have developed a metric showing that the growing number of satellites in Earth's orbit could lead to collisions within just 2.8 days if they all lost the ability to maneuver. This highlights the increasing congestion in space, driven largely by constellations like SpaceX's Starlink. The finding underscores vulnerabilities to events such as solar storms.
SpaceX achieved a significant milestone on Sunday by launching its 10,000th Starlink satellite during a Falcon 9 mission from California. The company deployed 28 satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base, bringing the total to 10,006 spacecraft in low-Earth orbit. This comes amid rapid expansion of the broadband network, which now serves over 7 million subscribers worldwide.
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SpaceX has agreed to a $17 billion deal to purchase 50 MHz of spectrum licenses from EchoStar, aiming to enhance Starlink's satellite connectivity for smartphones. The acquisition, pending regulatory approval, will support a new constellation of up to 15,000 satellites to provide voice, texting, and high-speed data globally, especially in underserved areas. This move pressures competitors like AT&T, Verizon, and Apple's satellite partners.