Starlink, a division of SpaceX, is a satellite internet constellation operator aiming to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to underserved areas globally. With over 7,000 satellites in low Earth orbit as of March 2025, Starlink offers internet services with download speeds between 50 and 220 Mbps. It utilizes phased array antennas and optical space lasers for global coverage and supports various applications, including remote work, disaster recovery, and IoT. Keywords associated with Starlink are satellite internet, SpaceX, broadband, and LEO constellation.
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As of last week, Starlink satellites had performed 21 collision avoidance maneuvers autonomously.
The Starlink satellite involved in the event did not have an automated system activated for collision avoidance maneuvers.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission granted SpaceX permission in April to lower 1,584 Ku-band Starlink satellites from a planned altitude above 1,110 km to 550 km.
SpaceX unveiled a smallsat rideshare program in August that offers three dedicated Falcon 9 missions per year and secondary payload opportunities on Starlink missions.
SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell planned three to seven Starlink launches in 2019 depending on lessons learned from the first launch.
SpaceX launched its first 60 Starlink satellites on 2019-05-23 on a Falcon 9 rocket.
The FCC approved SpaceX’s request to operate around 1,600 Starlink satellites at 550 km instead of 1,150 km.
Most Starlink satellites use onboard electric propulsion to reach their operational 550-kilometer orbit.
SpaceX launched the first 60 Starlink satellites in May 2019.
SpaceX adjusted its planned Starlink orbital altitude from 1,150 km to 550 km for the initial operational constellation.
Experts in ESA's Space Debris team calculated the risk of collision between the Aeolus and the Starlink satellites.
The Aeolus satellite performed a maneuver to avoid a potential close approach to Starlink 44.
The probability of collision between the Aeolus and the Starlink satellite exceeded the decision threshold, prompting ESA to prepare a maneuver.
SpaceX will offer additional rideshare services using excess capacity on Falcon 9 launches of Starlink satellites and other missions to sun-synchronous or other polar orbits.
Operators of optical telescopes raised concerns about the brightness of SpaceX’s Starlink satellites after the May launch of 60 satellites.
SpaceX raised a $310,000,000 funding round about a month after the first Starlink launch.
SpaceX launched its first 60 Starlink satellites on 2019-05-23.
Five of the 60 Starlink satellites from the 2019-05-23 launch are still raising their orbits to a planned altitude of 550 km.
SpaceX obtained Federal Communications Commission approval to operate much of its Starlink constellation at 550 km instead of the originally planned 1,150 km.
SpaceX implemented slight variations across the 60 Starlink satellites so the company can test different technologies and maximize operational capability across the fleet.