In the unlikely event their propulsion system becomes inoperable, the satellites will burn up in Earth’s atmosphere within 1-5 years, significantly less than the hundreds or thousands of years required at higher altitudes…
After a slight delay due to weather, SpaceX was launched on a picture perfect day in Florida. This provided the stage for another successful launch of SpaceX’s payload of 53 Starlink satellites launched from Cape Canaveral SFS SLC-40 on booster 1060-12.
This is the twelfth recovery for the booster Just Read the Instructions.
From a Starlink press kit …
Each Starlink satellite weights approximately 260 kg and features a compact, flat-panel design that minimizes volume, allowing for a dense launch stack to take full advantage of Falcon 9’s launch capabilities. With four powerful phased array and two parabolic antennas on each satellite … At end of their life cycle, the satellites will utilize their on-board propulsion system to deorbit over the course of a few months. In the unlikely event their propulsion system becomes inoperable, the satellites will burn up in Earth’s atmosphere within 1-5 years, significantly less than the hundreds or thousands of years required at higher altitudes. Further, Starlink components are designed for full demisability.
Starlink is targeting service to near global coverage of the populated world by 2021.