Up to four satellites from Elon Musk’s Starlink constellation are reportedly falling to Earth daily, according to space trackers. Astronomer Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics noted that one to two Starlink satellites have deorbited on average each day in 2025, with the figure expected to rise as the constellation grows.
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While videos of the satellites streaking across the sky have raised public concern, the craft are designed to burn up entirely in the Earth’s atmosphere, meaning they do not pose a direct risk to people on the ground. Currently, there are around 20,000 objects in low-Earth orbit, including 12,000 operational satellites, of which 8,500 are part of Starlink.
Dr McDowell warned that uncontrolled debris from other satellites and space hardware could still present a hazard. “Several times a year we’re taking potshots at people on Earth and fortunately so far missing,” he said, highlighting the potential dangers from uncontrolled re-entries.
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Scientists are also investigating the environmental impact of deorbiting satellites. Pollutants such as aluminium-oxide particles from burn-ups could contribute to atmospheric warming. Dr McDowell added: “If it comes back that we’re already doing damage to the atmosphere in this way, we’re going to have to rethink some of our disposal strategies.”
