SpaceX has moved 4,400 Starlink satellites to lower orbits in response to a drop in solar activity that could increase the risk of space debris. The company confirmed the adjustment in a statement released Monday, citing data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The satellites, which normally operate at altitudes between 550 and 1,150 kilometers, have been lowered to 450 kilometers as a precaution. This change affects satellites launched in the past two years, according to SpaceX’s latest orbital update. The move comes as solar activity has reached its lowest point in the current 11-year cycle, a period known as solar minimum. During this phase, solar wind pressure decreases, allowing more debris from past missions to remain in orbit longer. SpaceX said the adjustment will reduce the likelihood of collisions with defunct satellites and spent rocket stages. The company’s operations in Brevard County, including its launch facilities at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, have been closely monitored by the Federal Aviation Administration for orbital safety. SpaceX engineers first identified the risk during routine debris tracking last month. The company worked with the FAA and other space agencies to model potential collision scenarios. Lowering the satellites’ altitude adds drag, causing them to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere faster. This method has been used before for decommissioned satellites but is being applied on a larger scale here. Local astronomers and space enthusiasts in Brevard County have mixed reactions. Dr. Emily Carter, an astrophysicist at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, called the move “a necessary step” but warned that thousands of satellites still operate at higher altitudes. SpaceX has not announced plans to lower additional satellites beyond the 4,400 already adjusted. The company said it will continue monitoring solar activity and debris trends over the next 18 months.