Starlink satellite after 5 years in space — what happens next: deorbit, decay, or debris.What happens to satellites after 5 years in space? Discover how Starlink satellites retire, deorbit, or turn into space junk. Learn the hidden process behind their final journey.
What is the Lifespan of Satellites?
As you already know, there’s a growing race in space today — a competition to dominate Earth’s orbit. But what many people don’t realize is that every satellite is purpose-built. It’s not just launched randomly.
Each satellite is designed according to a specific mission — whether it’s for communication, navigation, earth observation, or internet delivery. Its value lies in how well it fulfills its mission.
Moreover, every satellite has limitations. From its power supply, onboard fuel, sensors, to its orbital range, everything is restricted. It can only operate within the boundaries of its intended job.
In short, a satellite’s life and performance are directly tied to its mission design — nothing more, nothing less.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites
Now let me explain what Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites actually are.
These satellites revolve around the Earth at a height of about 300 to 1,200 kilometers. Because of their low altitude, they are called low orbit satellites.
You might be wondering — how long do these satellites actually last?
Well, each satellite is specifically designed for a purpose — whether it’s for internet connectivity, weather monitoring, or military operations. And because of their low orbit, they face a lot of atmospheric pressure, which gradually weakens them.
That’s why their average lifespan is just around 5 years.
As they continue orbiting Earth, they lose power over time and eventually become too weak to continue functioning.
So the next time you hear about a satellite launch, remember — even in space, nothing lasts forever.
What is Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
These satellites are extremely powerful and are placed about 35,786 kilometers away from Earth, high above the equator. They don’t orbit around Earth like LEO satellites — instead, they remain fixed above a specific point in space, in a path known as Geostationary Orbit.
You can think of these satellites as the backbone of global communication systems. Their functions include:
- TV Broadcasting — just like your DTH dish at home.
- Weather Forecasting — tracking storms, clouds, and climate changes.
- Military Operations — secure communication between military bases.
- Live News Coverage — helping transmit news across countries instantly.
Now, you might be wondering — how long do they last?
Well, most geostationary satellites are built to last around 15 to 20 years, and some even go beyond that depending on their design and fuel capacity.
These satellites stay in sync with the Earth’s rotation, which allows them to always face the same region on the ground. That’s what makes them so valuable for continuous coverage.
What Happens to Satellites After 5 Years?
As you may already know, every satellite has a limited lifespan. When a satellite is launched into space, it is sent with a specific mission and purpose — whether it’s for communication, internet, weather tracking, or military use.
During its operational period, which usually lasts around 5 years, the satellite continuously works in orbit, serving its function. However, over time, it begins to lose its energy, fuel, and structural strength.
Because it’s constantly exposed to the harsh conditions of space — like radiation, temperature changes, and orbital drag — the satellite gradually loses power and efficiency.
Eventually, it reaches a point where it can no longer continue its mission, and that’s when it is either deorbited or moved to a graveyard orbit.
What is the Deorbiting Process?
Now that we understand what deorbiting is, let me explain why it truly matters — not just in space science, but for the future of all space missions.
Deorbiting happens when a satellite, at the end of its useful life, is guided into Earth’s atmosphere and intentionally burned up.
You can think of it like retiring a satellite with dignity — rather than letting it float endlessly as useless junk.
If this process isn’t done, space will slowly get filled with inactive satellites, turning into dangerous debris. These “dead” satellites don’t serve any purpose, and worse — they can collide with active satellites or block paths for future missions.
That’s why space agencies take it seriously. By removing non-functional satellites, they ensure a safer environment for new ones to operate smoothly.
In simple words:
Deorbiting clears the path, protects the future, and keeps space clean.
Starlink Satellites Example – What Happened to Them?
As you may already know, Starlink satellites are developed and operated by SpaceX — a private aerospace company founded by Elon Musk.
It is currently the only company in the world that is building a massive satellite network to provide high-speed internet across the globe.
What makes Starlink unique is that it deploys its satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) — much closer to Earth compared to traditional satellites.
Because of this, the data travels faster, resulting in low latency and high-speed internet, even in rural or remote areas where ground-based internet is unavailable.
SpaceX is not only launching thousands of satellites but also taking responsibility to remove them safely when they become non-functional — through controlled deorbiting.
How Many Starlink Satellites Have Been Launched
The Starlink satellite network is a revolutionary step in the world of internet and communication, and it is being developed by none other than SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk.
Unlike traditional internet systems that depend on cables and ground stations, Starlink satellites connect directly to users on Earth, delivering high-speed internet — even in remote mountains, deserts, oceans, and rural areas where regular internet doesn’t reach.
As part of this bold mission, SpaceX has launched over 9,084 Starlink satellites into space as of July 2025 — making it the largest satellite constellation in human history.
Each satellite travels thousands of kilometers above Earth in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and forms a part of an interconnected mesh network in the sky. This setup allows data to be transferred lightning-fast across continents without relying on physical wires or deep-sea cables.
So far, these satellites have covered a massive distance in space — not just in kilometers, but in global impact — bringing internet to schools, hospitals, soldiers, farmers, and explorers around the world.
Can Old Satellites Harm Our Environment?
By now, you must have understood that when a satellite completes its mission, it either gets deorbited and burns up — or becomes space junk, floating endlessly in orbit.
But have you ever thought: what if these old satellites are never removed?
Let me explain exactly how they can harm our environment, step by step.
Now imagine:
If a dead satellite collides with an active one, what happens?
- Entire missions can fail
- Thousands of debris fragments are created
- Future rocket launches become riskier
This is what we call space pollution, and it’s becoming one of the biggest hidden dangers of modern space missions.
Burning in the Atmosphere Isn’t Always Harmless
You might ask — “But don’t old satellites just burn up? What’s the big deal?”
That’s a fair question. But here’s the truth:
When satellites fall back into Earth’s atmosphere and burn, they release:
- Aluminum oxide particles
- Toxic gases like hydrazine
These substances collect in the upper atmosphere (mesosphere and thermosphere) and can:
- Damage the ozone layer
- Interfere with cloud formation
- And possibly affect climate over time
Even space burn-up leaves a footprint behind.
Your Turn Now
Now you know what happens to satellites like Starlink after 5 years in space — from deorbiting to space junk and environmental risks.
If you care about the future of clean space,
share this post and drop your thoughts in the comments.
Stay tuned for more real stories behind satellite missions.