good save
Starlink is a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation developed by SpaceX to provide global, high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity. The system relies on thousands of small, flat-panel satellites operating primarily between 340 and 750 miles (550–1,200 km) above the Earth, significantly closer than traditional geostationary satellites.
Current Scale: As of mid-2026, there are approximately 6,000 to 7,000+ active satellites in orbit, with SpaceX holding regulatory approval for up to 12,000 and filings for up to 42,000.
Orbital Dynamics: Most satellites orbit at roughly 550 km (though plans to lower some to 480 km were announced in 2026 to enhance safety), traveling at about 27,000 km/h with a period of just over 95 minutes.
Technology: These satellites use krypton-fueled Hall-effect thrusters for station-keeping and deorbiting, inter-satellite laser links for data routing, and phased-array antennas for user connections, reducing latency to 20–40 milliseconds.