CAPE CANAVERAL, July 7 — Over the course of six months ending in early 2025, SpaceX steered 260 of its Starlink satellites out of orbit and let them burn up in Earth’s atmosphere. Each of those satellites weighs approximately 2,700 pounds. In plain terms, the company incinerated roughly 702,000 pounds — 318 metric tons — of orbital hardware.
The satellites are part of the Starlink constellation, which as of early 2025 numbered over 6,000 operational units providing broadband internet around the globe. The deorbiting process is a standard procedure: lower the orbit until the satellite re-enters the atmosphere and burns up.
It is a standard end-of-life procedure to prevent space debris. But environmental scientists are raising concerns about what happens when you vaporize that much metal and electronics in the upper atmosphere. The burn-up releases aluminum oxides, copper, and other compounds.
A study published in 2024 by researchers at the University of Southampton estimated that by 2030, re-entering satellites could deposit up to 360 metric tons of aluminum oxides annually. That could deplete stratospheric ozone.
The Federal Communications Commission, which licenses satellite constellations, is currently considering a proposal that would exempt Starlink and similar systems from certain environmental review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act. Critics argue that the rapid growth of mega-constellations — with planned totals exceeding 40,000 satellites — could have unforeseen consequences for atmospheric chemistry and climate. SpaceX maintains that its satellites are designed to burn up completely and that the environmental impact is minimal compared to other sources of atmospheric pollution.
The company has not released specific data on the composition of its satellites’ materials or the exact byproducts of their incineration.
The scale of the burn-up
The 260 satellites deorbited over that six-month period represent a fraction of the current constellation. Each unit weighs approximately 2,700 pounds. The University of Southampton study, published in 2024, provides a window into what that future looks like.
The researchers estimated that by 2030, re-entering satellites could deposit up to 360 metric tons of aluminum oxides annually. Aluminum oxides could deplete stratospheric ozone.
The regulatory question
The FCC’s consideration of a NEPA exemption for satellite constellations is the key regulatory flashpoint. NEPA requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of their actions before making decisions. Exempting Starlink and similar systems from that review would mean the agency would not have to consider the atmospheric effects of deorbiting satellites before granting licenses.
Critics see this as a major gap. They point out that the planned total of satellites across all mega-constellations exceeds 40,000.
Each one will eventually need to be deorbited. The cumulative effect on the upper atmosphere, they argue, is unknown and potentially significant. SpaceX’s position is that the burn-up is complete and the impact is minimal.
The company has not, however, provided independent data to back that claim. No specific figures on the chemical composition of the satellites or the exact byproducts of their incineration have been released.
What to watch next
The FCC’s decision on the NEPA exemption will set the regulatory framework for the entire industry. If the exemption is granted, it could clear the way for rapid expansion of satellite constellations without environmental review. If it is denied, the commission would have to conduct environmental assessments before licensing new satellites.
Meanwhile, the University of Southampton study and other research will continue to refine the estimates of atmospheric impact. The key question is whether the deposition of aluminum oxides and other compounds from satellite re-entries reaches a level that measurably affects stratospheric ozone.
For now, the practical upshot is clear: the number of satellites in low Earth orbit is growing fast, and the environmental consequences of their disposal are only beginning to be understood. The 260 satellites that burned up in early 2025 are a preview of what’s to come.
Sources
- SpaceX Vaporized 260 Satellites in Six Months… – Gadget Review
- SpaceX FCC Filing Discloses Controlled Deorbit of 260 Starlink…
