The worst case Starlink scenario? We could be 'right on the edge' of Kessler syndrome

And cleaning up the resulting space debris would be like 'collecting bullets'.
Chris Young
An illustraion of a satellite in orbit.MikeMareen/iStock

SpaceX's Starlink mega-constellation is growing at rocket speed.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk recently announced that the private space company expects "over 4,200 Starlink satellites in operation within 18 months", constituting two-thirds of all active satellites. Roughly 2,300 Starlink satellites are currently in orbit, and SpaceX has approval for 30,000 more. 

Musk has often stated that his ultimate goal for SpaceX is to expand human consciousness by making humanity a spacefaring civilization — and that the profits of Starlink will go towards developing its Mars-bound Starship rocket.

Most Popular
message circleSHOW COMMENT (1)chevron