
10/12/2025
Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites are deorbiting at record rates, with up to four burning up in Earth’s atmosphere daily, according to Harvard astronomer Jonathan McDowell.
The rate could reach five per day as SpaceX expands its network of 8,500 satellites among 20,000 tracked objects in low-Earth orbit.
While the satellites are designed to completely burn up before reaching the surface, scientists are concerned about pollutants like aluminum oxide particles released during reentry potentially affecting upper atmosphere chemistry and temperature.
Most Starlink satellites have five-year lifespans and pose no direct threat to people on the ground.