SpaceX

On January 1, 2026, SpaceX VP of Starlink Engineering Michael Nicolls announced plans to lower approximately 4,400 satellites from 550km to 480km altitude throughout 2026. The lower orbit reduces ballistic decay time by over 80% during solar minimum, meaning derelict satellites deorbit far faster. This represented a proactive effort to address orbital debris concerns given Starlink's dominance (two-thirds of all operational satellites).

In December 2025, a batch of Starlink satellites experienced anomalies shortly after deployment, resulting in uncontrolled reentry and debris creation. The incident highlighted risks associated with rapid mass satellite deployment and raised questions about quality control in SpaceX's high-volume manufacturing process. Space tracking agencies monitored the debris for potential collision risks with other spacecraft.

SpaceX's Starlink satellite constellation has created significant orbital congestion, with collision avoidance maneuvers increasing dramatically from approximately 25,000 in H1 2024 to 144,000 in H1 2025. The company operates over 7,000 active satellites, representing more than 60% of all active satellites in orbit. ESA and other space agencies have raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of low Earth orbit as SpaceX continues rapid deployment toward a planned 42,000-satellite constellation.

SpaceX's Starlink constellation has caused substantial interference with ground-based astronomical observations. Studies show approximately 30% of twilight telescope images are now affected by satellite streaks. Gen-2 Starlink satellites emit radio signals 32 times stronger than Gen-1, severely impacting radio astronomy. The International Astronomical Union has repeatedly called for regulatory action, and observatories worldwide report degraded data quality for both optical and radio astronomy research.

The EPA and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality fined SpaceX over $150,000 for repeatedly polluting waters near its Boca Chica Starbase facility. SpaceX discharged industrial wastewater into wetlands without proper permits on at least 13 occasions, including a 2022 liquid oxygen spill. A September 2022 test launch scorched 68 acres of the Lower Rio Grande National Wildlife Refuge. Environmental groups and U.S. Fish & Wildlife documented significant harm to endangered species habitat including ocelots, aplomado falcons, and Kemp's Ridley sea turtles.

In August 2024, SpaceX announced new techniques developed with the National Science Foundation and National Radio Astronomy Observatory to help radio astronomers. The system redirects or disables Starlink satellite transmissions when they pass over sensitive telescopes including the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia. However, researchers still found Starlink emitting unintended radio signals in protected astronomy frequencies, affecting up to 30% of telescope images.

The EPA and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality found SpaceX repeatedly discharged pollutants into or near bodies of water at its Starbase launch facility. SpaceX bypassed the permitting process which would have required pollutant discharge limits and wastewater treatment plans. Despite receiving EPA violation notices, SpaceX continued launching using its unauthorized water deluge system. The EPA fined SpaceX nearly $150,000 in September 2024.

SpaceX's policy of deorbiting Starlink satellites at end-of-life results in satellite burnup in the upper atmosphere, depositing aluminum oxide particles and other metallic compounds. With thousands of satellites expected to reenter over the constellation's lifetime, atmospheric scientists have raised concerns about potential ozone layer impacts and stratospheric chemistry changes. The long-term environmental effects of routine mass satellite disposal through atmospheric reentry remain poorly understood.

A November 2023 Reuters investigation uncovered over 600 previously unreported worker injuries at SpaceX facilities, including broken bones, amputations, crushed limbs, electrocutions, and at least one death. SpaceX failed to report annual injury totals to OSHA as required since 2016. OSHA has issued 11 citations since 2021, including a $115,850 fine after a 2025 crane collapse at Starbase. Former employees described a culture prioritizing aggressive timelines over safety, with workers welding 12-hour days in extreme heat and Musk reportedly discouraging safety vests.

At SpaceX's Redmond Starlink lab, workers were exposed to lead dust and toxic fumes from inadequate ventilation. Internal safety managers flagged concerns in October 2023 but ventilation was not improved for over a year. Workers reported serious health issues including one hospitalization and a miscarriage. Washington state cited SpaceX for three violations and fined the company $6,000 after a worker went on medical leave and reported the company.

In August 2023, the DOJ sued SpaceX for violating the Immigration and Nationality Act by routinely discouraging and refusing to hire asylees and refugees from September 2018 through May 2022. SpaceX falsely claimed export control laws barred hiring non-citizens and green card holders, screening applicants by citizenship status. Out of nearly 10,000 hires, only one asylee was hired - four months after the DOJ investigation began. The case was dismissed in February 2025 after the Trump administration took office, with Musk calling it 'lawfare.'

SpaceX's Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas caused significant environmental damage to the surrounding Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The April 2023 Starship launch scattered concrete debris across 385 acres and ignited a 3.5-acre fire in the refuge. The FAA required SpaceX to implement over 75 mitigation actions. Environmental groups including Defenders of Wildlife documented impacts on endangered species including piping plovers, red knots, and ocelots. Texas legislators proposed bills to close the public beach for SpaceX operations.

Reuters investigation documented 600+ previously unreported workplace injuries at SpaceX since 2014, including crushed limbs, amputations, head injuries, and one death. Brownsville facility recorded 5.9 injuries per 100 workers vs 0.8 industry average in 2023. Current and former employees described a 'chaotic workplace' where speed was prioritized over safety. OSHA issued $115,850 fine after crane collapse injured worker in Nov 2024.

In September 2022, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk unilaterally refused to enable Starlink connectivity near Crimea during a planned Ukrainian drone attack on Russian naval forces, fearing escalation into a 'major act of war.' This decision, made by a private citizen controlling critical military communications infrastructure, raised serious concerns about private power over geopolitical affairs. The Pentagon subsequently questioned whether future military contracts need explicit terms preventing service denial. Reports also emerged of Russian forces illegally acquiring and using Starlink terminals, which SpaceX was aware of but allegedly failed to prevent.

In September 2022, Elon Musk refused a Ukrainian government request to activate Starlink coverage to Sevastopol, Crimea, which would have enabled a drone submarine attack on the Russian naval fleet. Musk stated enabling it would make SpaceX 'explicitly complicit in a major act of war.' This decision by a private company effectively determined the outcome of a military operation, raising concerns about unprecedented private control over critical wartime infrastructure. The incident was revealed in Walter Isaacson's 2023 biography.

In June 2022, SpaceX fired at least 8 employees who organized an open letter signed by over 400 staff criticizing CEO Elon Musk's public behavior as a 'distraction and embarrassment' and calling out a culture of 'sexism, harassment and discrimination.' In January 2024, the NLRB formally charged SpaceX with illegal retaliation, alleging the company also interrogated dozens of employees, created an impression of surveillance, and entered into unlawful severance agreements. SpaceX challenged the constitutionality of the NLRB itself in response.

In June 2022, SpaceX fired employees who circulated an internal open letter calling Musk's online behavior 'a frequent source of distraction and embarrassment.' The NLRB filed a complaint in January 2024 alleging 37 labor law violations including intimidation, interrogation, surveillance of employees, and retaliation. SpaceX sued the NLRB claiming its structure was unconstitutional; the case was withdrawn in December 2024.

On February 26, 2022, two days after Russia's invasion, Ukrainian minister Mykhailo Fedorov requested Starlink assistance on Twitter. SpaceX activated country-wide service and delivered the first shipment of terminals by February 28. By May 2022, over 150,000 Ukrainians used Starlink daily. Terminals supported hospitals (600 received in one month), schools, railways, government communications, and President Zelenskyy's broadcasts. SpaceX donated 3,667 terminals and initially waived subscription fees. Ukrainian officials called Musk 'one of the biggest private donors' of Ukraine's future victory.

SpaceX's Starshield program provides classified military satellite capabilities to the NRO, Space Force, and Space Development Agency. The program includes target tracking, optical and radio reconnaissance, and early missile warning capabilities. SpaceX secured a $1.8 billion classified NRO contract in 2021 and a $5.9 billion Space Force contract in 2025. As of 2025, at least 183 Starshield satellites have been launched, with plans to deploy 100+ more by 2029.

The DOJ sued SpaceX in August 2023 alleging the company discriminated against asylees and refugees in hiring from 2018-2022. Out of approximately 10,000 hires, only one person was an asylee and none were refugees. SpaceX wrongly claimed export control laws prohibited such hiring. Qualified applicants were rejected including a Georgia Tech graduate with 9 years of engineering experience. The case was dismissed in February 2025 after the Trump administration DOJ moved to drop it.