SpaceX plans to deploy up to one million orbiting data centers, but unlike its Starlink satellites that burn up on reentry, most of these new satellites will not de-orbit into the Earth's atmosphere. Instead, the company has sought permission from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to retire the bulk of these data centers to so-called graveyard orbits above 600 kilometers altitude, where they would remain in space as inactive debris. This approach diverges from standard orbital debris mitigation practices that prefer controlled atmospheric reentry to reduce space junk.

According to SpaceX’s recent FCC filings, about 80% of these satellites will operate between 680 and 1,000 kilometers, while the rest will orbit near 500 kilometers. Satellites below the 600-kilometer threshold would follow standard disposal via atmospheric reentry, but those above would be retired in disposal orbits around Earth or even placed into heliocentric orbits around the Sun. SpaceX argues this flexibility could offer more reliable and sustainable end-of-life disposal methods for these large satellites.

However, experts caution that this strategy could exacerbate the growing issue of space debris. The planned satellites are substantial in size, with initial models stretching approximately 109 meters—surpassing the length of the International Space Station. Each satellite is expected to have a functional lifespan of about five years, meaning tens of thousands could be retired annually into graveyard orbits, gradually forming dense debris fields.

Hugh Lewis, a space debris expert from the University of Birmingham, highlighted the risks posed by accumulating hundreds of thousands of inactive satellites in graveyard orbits. He warned this could lead to collision rates that rapidly surpass safe thresholds, generating fragments that endanger active satellites and further congest orbital paths. The resulting cascade effect, known as the Kessler syndrome, could jeopardize the long-term sustainability of Earth’s orbital environment.

While the vastness of space offers room for many satellites, the sheer scale of SpaceX’s proposed constellation raises unprecedented challenges. Regulatory authorities, including the FCC, face the difficult task of balancing innovation with protective measures for space traffic management and debris mitigation to ensure low-Earth orbit remains safe and usable.