SpaceX Says Little Risk From Mega Constellation Non-Working Satellites

Using an injection altitude of 350 kilometers means any of its satellites that fail to operate on deployment will fall back to earth and burn up in two weeks to eight months, SpaceX told the FCC in an International Bureau posting Wednesday. It's asking for bureau OK to amend approval of its planned Ku- and Ka-band mega constellation and have 1,584 satellites orbit at 550 kilometers instead of higher (see 1811090002). The company said that low injection altitude approach -- with the satellites going from there to 550 kilometer orbits -- will make the risk of collision with orbital debris infinitesimal.