On: Starlink – SpaceX’s broadband internet system

[galaxyLogic]

How will they avoid these satellites from becoming space debris themselves in the end?

[consumer451 → galaxyLogic]

According to the linked site:

> KEEPING SPACE CLEAN

> Starlink is on the leading edge of on-orbit debris mitigation, meeting or exceeding all regulatory and industry standards.

> At end of life, the satellites will utilize their on-board propulsion system to deorbit over the course of a few months. In the unlikely event the propulsion system becomes inoperable, the satellites will burn up in Earth’s atmosphere within 1-5 years, significantly less than the hundreds or thousands of years required at higher altitudes.

[p1mrx → consumer451]

That's cool, they're using solar-powered ion propulsion to compensate for the atmospheric drag inherent in low earth orbit.

So from a space debris standpoint, it's "walk away safe" in that a dead satellite can do nothing but fall into the atmosphere.

[Illniyar → galaxyLogic]

"Starlink satellites are equipped with efficient ion thrusters powered by krypton that enable the satellites to orbit raise, maneuver in space, and deorbit at the end of their useful life. Starlink is the first krypton propelled spacecraft ever flown."

[csunbird → galaxyLogic]

It is mentioned within the article : Either they will be de-orbited by their own ion thrusters or they will fall on earth their own within a year to 5 years.