About the Starlink Constellation
Starlink is SpaceX's broadband internet constellation — the largest satellite fleet ever assembled. With over 9,800 active satellites in low Earth orbit, Starlink now accounts for more than half of all operational satellites in Earth orbit.
Each satellite weighs between 260 kg (v1.5) and 800 kg (V2 Mini Optimized), uses krypton-fuelled ion thrusters, and is designed for a 5-year operational life before controlled deorbiting. The constellation operates across multiple orbital shells at different inclinations to provide global coverage.
How to Track Starlink on Orbital Radar
Open the Orbital Radar live tracker and use the Operators panel in the left menu to filter by SpaceX/Starlink. The globe will isolate all Starlink satellites, showing their real-time positions, orbital paths and altitude. You can click any individual satellite for detailed orbital parameters.
To find when Starlink satellites pass over your location, use the Sat Pass tool — particularly useful for spotting recently-launched Starlink trains. See our How to See Starlink Tonight guide for visual spotting tips.
Constellation Architecture
Starlink satellites are distributed across multiple orbital shells. The primary shell originally operated at 550 km altitude but is being lowered to ~480 km during 2026 for improved space safety with a 53° inclination, providing coverage to populated mid-latitude regions. Additional shells at higher inclinations (70°, 97.6°) extend coverage towards the poles.
Satellites within each shell are arranged in orbital planes — groups of satellites that share the same orbital path. This design ensures that at least one Starlink satellite is always overhead from any point on Earth, enabling continuous internet service.
Starlink vs Competitors
See our detailed Starlink vs OneWeb comparison for a side-by-side look at the two largest broadband constellations. For a broader view, our Satellites by Operator page ranks all major fleet operators.