HOW HIGH DO STARLINK SATELLITES ORBIT?
THE SIMPLE ANSWER IS ABOUT 550KM, BUT STARLINK NOW USES AND IS AUTHORISED FOR SEVERAL DIFFERENT ALTITUDES
THE SHORT ANSWER
The simple answer is that Starlink satellites orbit about 550 kilometres, or 342 miles, above Earth.
That is the reference height used on Starlink's public technology page and remains a good single-number answer for the established network.
The complete answer is more complicated. Starlink does not use one identical altitude for every satellite. First-generation operational shells sit mainly between 540 and 570km. Second-generation satellites have been authorised for several lower shells, including 340 to 365km and 475 to 535km, depending on the phase of SpaceX's transition.
Satellites can also be much lower immediately after launch, while raising their orbit or when being deliberately deorbited.
WHAT DOES 550KM ABOVE EARTH ACTUALLY MEAN?
Satellite altitude is normally measured vertically above mean sea level, not from Earth's centre.
A height of 550km is approximately:
| MEASUREMENT | APPROXIMATE VALUE |
|---|---|
| Kilometres above Earth | 550km |
| Miles above Earth | 342 miles |
| Compared with a 10km airliner cruise | About 55 times higher |
| Compared with the ISS near 400km | About 150km higher |
| Part of low Earth orbit? | Yes |
NASA generally describes low Earth orbit as Earth-centred orbits no higher than 2,000km. Starlink's main shells are therefore comfortably inside low Earth orbit.
WHY IS THERE NOT ONE STARLINK ALTITUDE?
Starlink is a constellation rather than one satellite. Its spacecraft are arranged into orbital shells, with each shell using a chosen altitude and inclination.
Different shells help SpaceX distribute capacity, cover different latitudes and separate groups of satellites. The network has also changed over time as regulators approved lower orbits and newer satellite generations.
There is an important difference between:
| ALTITUDE TYPE | WHAT IT MEANS |
|---|---|
| Authorised shell | A regulator has allowed SpaceX to operate satellites at that height. |
| Operational altitude | The satellite has reached its assigned service orbit. |
| Insertion orbit | The lower orbit in which Falcon 9 initially deploys the satellites. |
| Parking orbit | A temporary altitude used while satellites separate into different planes. |
| Deorbit altitude | A descending path towards atmospheric re-entry. |
An authorised altitude does not prove that every available slot is already occupied. SpaceX can populate and transition shells gradually.
FIRST-GENERATION STARLINK ORBITAL SHELLS
The FCC authorised the main first-generation constellation to operate at four closely grouped altitudes.
| GEN1 SHELL | ALTITUDE | ALTITUDE IN MILES | GENERAL POSITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Gen1 shell | 540km | 336 miles | Below the 550km reference shell |
| Main reference shell | 550km | 342 miles | The simplified public Starlink figure |
| Higher-inclination shell | 560km | 348 miles | Used for higher-latitude coverage |
| Upper Gen1 shell | 570km | 354 miles | Highest of the main Gen1 service shells |
This 540 to 570km group explains why 550km is a useful summary. It sits near the centre of the established first-generation operating range.
SECOND-GENERATION STARLINK ALTITUDES
The Gen2 authorisation has changed in stages, so its altitude list needs careful wording.
In 2022, the FCC first authorised up to 7,500 Gen2 satellites in shells at 525, 530 and 535km. In 2024, it also approved lower operational options at 340, 345, 350 and 360km.
In January 2026, the FCC authorised additional shells at 355, 365, 475, 480 and 485km. It also allowed SpaceX to lower satellites from 525, 530 and 535km to 480, 485 and 475km respectively.
| GEN2 GROUP | AUTHORISED ALTITUDES | CURRENT CONTEXT |
|---|---|---|
| Lower operational shells | 340, 345, 350, 355, 360 and 365km | Below the ISS, with deployment subject to coordination conditions. |
| New intermediate shells | 475, 480 and 485km | Approved in 2026 as lower replacements for three earlier Gen2 shells. |
| Earlier Gen2 shells | 525, 530 and 535km | SpaceX may continue operating there while the authorised lowering process takes place. |
AUTHORISED DOES NOT MEAN FULLY POPULATED
The FCC permits SpaceX to use these shells. It does not mean all 7,500 authorised Gen2 satellites are already in orbit or that every shell currently contains its maximum number.
HOW HIGH ARE STARLINK SATELLITES IMMEDIATELY AFTER LAUNCH?
Starlink satellites are not normally released directly into their final service shell.
SpaceX's published mission profile describes an insertion orbit that can have a low point, known as perigee, as low as approximately 208km and a high point, known as apogee, as high as approximately 340km.
The satellites then raise themselves into a parking orbit generally between 350 and 360km. From there, groups depart at different times and climb towards their assigned service shells.
| MISSION PHASE | TYPICAL OR REPORTED ALTITUDE | IS IT PROVIDING NORMAL SERVICE? |
|---|---|---|
| Initial insertion | Roughly 208 to 340km within an elliptical orbit | No |
| Parking | Generally 350 to 360km | Normally still moving towards its assigned shell |
| Orbit raising | Changes continuously | Not yet in its permanent slot |
| On station | Assigned operational shell | Yes |
This is why newly launched Starlink trains can initially be lower than the satellites already providing broadband.
HOW DOES STARLINK'S HEIGHT COMPARE WITH OTHER ORBITS?
| OBJECT OR ORBIT | APPROXIMATE ALTITUDE | COMPARED WITH 550KM STARLINK |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial aircraft | 10 to 12km | Starlink is about 46 to 55 times higher. |
| Lower Gen2 shells | 340 to 365km | 185 to 210km lower. |
| International Space Station | Roughly 400km | About 150km lower. |
| Typical Starlink reference | 550km | Reference point |
| Upper limit commonly used for LEO | 2,000km | About 3.6 times higher. |
| GPS satellites | About 20,200km | Nearly 37 times higher. |
| Geostationary satellites | 35,786km | About 65 times higher. |
WHY DOES STARLINK ORBIT CLOSER TO EARTH?
Traditional geostationary broadband satellites orbit 35,786km above the equator. Starlink uses low Earth orbit instead.
The much shorter signal path helps reduce delay. It also makes each satellite cover a smaller area, which is why SpaceX needs thousands of moving satellites rather than a few fixed spacecraft.
Lower altitude also increases atmospheric drag. The atmosphere is extremely thin at Starlink heights, but it is not completely absent. That drag helps failed or retired satellites lose altitude more quickly than they would in much higher orbits.
| LOWER-ORBIT EFFECT | BENEFIT | TRADE-OFF |
|---|---|---|
| Shorter signal distance | Lower communication delay | Each satellite covers less ground |
| Stronger atmospheric drag | Faster natural orbital decay after a failure | More propulsion is needed for station keeping |
| Closer spacecraft | Smaller user terminals can maintain the link | A large constellation is required |
CAN STARLINK SATELLITES ORBIT BELOW THE ISS?
Yes. The International Space Station normally orbits at roughly 400km. Starlink's authorised Gen2 shells at 340, 345, 350, 355, 360 and 365km are below it.
The FCC's lower-altitude authorisation included conditions linked to coordination with NASA. SpaceX and NASA must account for the ISS, visiting vehicles, crewed missions and launch windows.
Many established Gen1 Starlink satellites remain above the ISS at 540 to 570km. The constellation can therefore include operational spacecraft both below and above the station.
WHAT ALTITUDE DO STARLINK SATELLITES USE AT END OF LIFE?
There is no single permanent deorbit shell.
At the end of a satellite's useful life, SpaceX commands it to lower its orbit. As it descends, atmospheric drag becomes stronger until the spacecraft re-enters and breaks apart in the atmosphere.
SpaceX says it operates Starlink below 600km partly because non-manoeuvrable spacecraft at these heights will naturally lose altitude. It describes these as self-cleaning orbits, with failed objects expected to decay within years rather than remain for centuries.
A satellite seen below its normal shell may therefore be newly launched, raising its orbit, carrying out a manoeuvre or descending towards disposal.
COMMON CONFUSIONS ABOUT STARLINK ALTITUDE
| STATEMENT | ACCURATE? | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| Every Starlink satellite is at 550km | No | 550km is the best-known reference altitude, not a universal height. |
| Starlink satellites launch directly into service orbit | Usually no | They normally enter a lower insertion and parking orbit first. |
| Every authorised shell is already full | No | Regulatory permission and completed deployment are different things. |
| All Starlink satellites are above the ISS | No | Several authorised Gen2 shells are below the ISS. |
| Starlink is in low Earth orbit | Yes | Its shells are far below the commonly used 2,000km upper limit. |
Altitude also changes how long one circuit takes. Our separate guide explains how long Starlink takes to orbit Earth.
SOURCES
Starlink: Public technology overview using approximately 550km
SpaceX GNC memo: Insertion, parking and 500 to 600km service shells
FCC 21-48: Gen1 shells at 540, 550, 560 and 570km
FCC 22-91: Initial Gen2 shells at 525, 530 and 535km
FCC DA 24-1193: Gen2 shells at 340, 345, 350 and 360km
FCC DA 26-36: 2026 Gen2 shell changes and transition to 475, 480 and 485km
FAQS ABOUT STARLINK'S ORBITAL HEIGHT
HOW HIGH DO STARLINK SATELLITES ORBIT?
The simple answer is about 550km, or 342 miles. The wider network uses and is authorised for several shells from roughly 340 to 570km.
DO ALL STARLINK SATELLITES ORBIT AT 550KM?
No. Gen1 shells include 540, 550, 560 and 570km. Gen2 has several lower authorised shells.
HOW HIGH ARE THEY JUST AFTER LAUNCH?
The insertion orbit varies. SpaceX has described a perigee as low as 208km, an apogee as high as 340km and parking orbits generally around 350 to 360km.
ARE STARLINK SATELLITES ABOVE THE ISS?
Many Gen1 satellites are above it, but authorised Gen2 shells at 340 to 365km are below the ISS.
WHY DOES STARLINK ORBIT SO LOW?
The shorter signal path reduces delay, while stronger atmospheric drag helps failed satellites leave orbit sooner.
HOW LONG DOES STARLINK TAKE TO GO AROUND EARTH?
At 550km, one circuit takes approximately 95 minutes and 30 seconds.
THE ANSWER IN ONE SENTENCE
Starlink is commonly described as orbiting 550km above Earth, but its authorised operational shells now extend from roughly 340km to 570km.