SpaceX vaporized 260 Starlink satellites in six months

SpaceX intentionally disposed of 260 Starlink satellites between December 2025 and May 2026, burning them up via controlled re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. The company's FCC report noted 176 were first-generation units and the rest second-generation. An additional 349 decommissioned satellites await disposal. Each satellite has a roughly five-year lifespan before fuel depletion triggers a controlled de-orbit that incinerates 100% of the spacecraft.