The Digital Press

SpaceX is deorbiting about one to two Starlink satellites daily, with numbers expected to rise as the constellation grows. While this reduces space debris risk, the impact of burning satellites in Earth's atmosphere remains uncertain and potentially concerning.

Why it matters: Increasing satellite reentries could affect Earth's atmosphere, yet the environmental consequences are not well understood.

The big picture: Kessler syndrome risk is linked more to crowded orbits and unplanned satellite failures than routine Starlink deorbiting maneuvers.

The stakes: A major disruption, like a solar storm destroying many satellites, could trigger cascading collisions, severely limiting space usability.

Commenters say: Many point out the satellite mass is minor compared to natural meteors and question the environmental impact claims, calling some concerns premature or overstated.