How Long Does Starlink Take to Orbit Earth?
2026 ORBIT TIMES • STARLINK SPEED • ORBITS PER DAY
A Starlink satellite currently takes roughly 91 to 95+ minutes to orbit Earth, depending on its altitude.
The old single-number answer of about 95 minutes 30 seconds comes from Starlink’s long-used 550km reference altitude. In 2026, however, Starlink is lowering its constellation. Its planned broadband shells are concentrated around 450–490km, where one orbit takes about 93.4–94.3 minutes, while lower DTC and V3 ranges around 330–370km take about 91.0–91.8 minutes.
Some satellites are still transitioning from older orbits above 500km, so there is no single orbital period that applies to every Starlink spacecraft today.
Lower direct-to-cell and planned V3 broadband range.
Main end-of-2026 V1/V2 broadband range published by Starlink.
The older public reference altitude, still useful for understanding why many sources quote “about 95 minutes”.
Why Starlink’s orbit time changed in 2026
Starlink’s public technology page still describes the constellation as orbiting at about 550km, but its newer space-safety documentation gives a more current picture of constellation management.
Starlink says it is lowering all satellites to below 500km, with the process expected to complete by the end of 2026. Its published end-state has V1 and V2 broadband satellites mainly between 450 and 490km, while V1 direct-to-cell and V3 broadband satellites occupy roughly 330 to 370km.
Lower altitude means a slightly shorter path and a higher orbital speed. That is why satellites in the newer lower shells go around Earth faster than a satellite at 550km.
This page is about orbital time, not a full list of Starlink altitudes. For the shell-by-shell height detail, use our separate guide to how high Starlink satellites orbit.
Starlink orbit times by altitude
The table below uses simplified circular-orbit calculations. Real spacecraft can have slightly eccentric orbits, make station-keeping manoeuvres and move between temporary waypoints, so an individual satellite’s measured period can differ slightly.
| Orbit / shell example | Altitude | Time for one orbit | Orbits per day | Approx. speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower V3 / DTC range | 330 km | 90 min 59 sec | 15.83 | 27,765 km/h |
| DTC reference shell | 360 km | 91 min 36 sec | 15.72 | 27,703 km/h |
| Upper lower-orbit range | 370 km | 91 min 48 sec | 15.69 | 27,683 km/h |
| Lower broadband range | 450 km | 93 min 26 sec | 15.41 | 27,520 km/h |
| Broadband shell | 463 km | 93 min 42 sec | 15.37 | 27,494 km/h |
| Broadband shell | 472.5 km | 93 min 54 sec | 15.34 | 27,475 km/h |
| Broadband shell | 485 km | 94 min 10 sec | 15.29 | 27,450 km/h |
| Upper broadband range | 490 km | 94 min 16 sec | 15.28 | 27,440 km/h |
| Older reference altitude | 550 km | 95 min 30 sec | 15.08 | 27,320 km/h |
The current 485km broadband shell works out at about 94 min 10 sec, while a 360km satellite takes about 91 min 36 sec. At 550km, the familiar result is about 95 min 30 sec.
How is the Starlink orbital period calculated?
For a near-circular orbit, the orbital period depends primarily on the distance from Earth’s centre. NASA’s circular-orbit equations show that a lower spacecraft must travel faster than one in a higher orbit.
For the calculation
- T is the orbital period.
- r is Earth’s mean radius plus the satellite’s altitude.
- μ is Earth’s standard gravitational parameter.
- This page uses a mean Earth radius of 6,371km and μ = 398,600.4418km³/s².
As an example, at 485km the orbital radius is about 6,856km. Substituting that into the circular-orbit equation gives a period of roughly 94.16 minutes, or about 94 min 10 sec.
How fast does Starlink travel?
Across the main 2026 ranges on this page, Starlink satellites travel at roughly 7.62 to 7.71km per second, or approximately 27,400 to 27,800km/h.
The counter-intuitive part is that the lower satellite travels faster. At 360km, the simplified circular-orbit speed is about 7.70km/s. At 485km, it is about 7.62km/s. The higher orbit takes longer because the path is larger and the required orbital speed is slightly lower.
How many times does Starlink orbit Earth per day?
A satellite in the main 2026 Starlink ranges completes roughly 15.3 to 15.8 orbits per day. A 485km broadband satellite makes about 15.29 circuits in 24 hours, while a 360km satellite makes about 15.72.
The exact total changes if the satellite is raising, lowering or adjusting its orbit rather than remaining in one circular shell.
Common Starlink orbit-time confusions
Sources and calculation method
- Starlink Space Safety: Constellation Altitudes — current 2026 shell-lowering plan and end-of-year altitude ranges.
- Starlink: Technology — public 550km reference description.
- NASA Glenn Research Center: Flight to Orbit — circular orbital velocity and period equations.
Calculated figures are rounded for readability and use simplified circular orbits rather than live ephemeris data for an individual spacecraft.
The bottom line
In 2026, a Starlink orbit is best thought of as roughly 91 to 94 minutes for the main lower and broadband shell ranges, with remaining higher legacy satellites taking longer. The older 95-minute answer is still mathematically correct for a satellite near 550km, but it no longer describes the whole constellation.
Starlink orbit-time FAQs
How long does a Starlink satellite take to orbit Earth?
In 2026 there is no single Starlink orbital period. Satellites in the lower 330–370 km range take about 91.0–91.8 minutes, while broadband shells around 450–490 km take about 93.4–94.3 minutes. A satellite still at the older 550 km reference altitude takes about 95.5 minutes.
Why do some sources say Starlink takes about 95 minutes to orbit Earth?
Starlink has long used about 550 km as a public reference altitude, and a circular orbit at 550 km takes about 95 minutes 30 seconds. Starlink is lowering its constellation during 2026, so many satellites are moving to lower shells with shorter orbital periods.
How many times does Starlink orbit Earth each day?
Depending on altitude, a Starlink satellite completes roughly 15.3 to 15.8 orbits per day in the main 2026 shell ranges. Lower satellites complete slightly more circuits because they travel faster and have a shorter path.
How fast does a Starlink satellite travel?
A Starlink satellite typically travels at roughly 7.6 to 7.7 kilometres per second in the low-Earth-orbit ranges discussed here, equivalent to about 27,400 to 27,800 kilometres per hour.
Does a Starlink satellite pass over the same place every orbit?
No. Earth rotates beneath the orbital plane, so the satellite's next ground track is shifted even though it has completed another circuit around Earth.
Does a Starlink dish stay connected to one satellite for a whole orbit?
No. A user terminal only sees an individual satellite for part of its orbit. The Starlink network hands the connection between satellites as they move across the sky.