SpaceX has outlined its plans for managing its upcoming AI satellites after they complete their missions, responding to concerns from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These satellites, part of the Starmind constellation, could number up to 1 million in total. Each satellite will weigh less than 4,000 kilograms—nearly seven times heavier than its Starlink V2 Mini satellites—and will be designed to operate for five years. The company's plan for handling these satellites depends on their orbital placement. Approximately 80% of the satellites will be moved to "graveyard" orbits, which are higher orbits where decommissioned satellites are placed to reduce the risk of collisions with active satellites. The remaining 200,000 satellites will be designed to descend into Earth’s atmosphere in a controlled manner, targeting the ocean to minimize risk. This descent is expected to take less than 60 days. SpaceX claims that no part of the satellite will hit the ground with more than 15 joules of energy, an impact equivalent to a 4-centimeter hailstone, which it says is harmless to humans. The company estimates the risk of casualties to be zero. However, some experts are skeptical. Samantha Lawler, an astronomer at the University of Regina, calls the risk assessment "absurd" and urges independent verification. Aaron Boley, from the University of British Columbia, questions whether a satellite of this size could fully disintegrate upon reentry, citing an incident where a 2.5-kilogram piece of aluminum from a Starlink satellite fell on a farm in Saskatchewan. SpaceX attributes the event to the satellite not being properly deorbited. Experts also raise environmental concerns about the long-term effects of satellite debris. John Barentine, from the Center for Space Environmentalism, notes that thousands of tons of material burn up annually, some of which could damage the ozone layer. The accumulation of debris in graveyard orbits is another concern, given the large number of satellites involved. The FCC has yet to approve SpaceX’s plan, but the company’s close ties with the U.S. government may influence the decision. Elon Musk has expressed ambitions for the Starmind constellation, which aims to support artificial intelligence applications in space. SpaceX has promised to launch its first AI satellites by the end of 2027, marking a significant step in the integration of AI with space technology.