The satellite STARLINK-1689, also known as Starlink 1689, is a communication spacecraft manufactured by SPXS and owned by SpaceX (SPXS). It was launched on September 3, 2020, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The satellite has dimensions of 0.2 meters in length, 2.8 meters in diameter, and spans 9 meters. It weighs 260 kg at launch with a dry mass of 248 kg. Equipped with a Ku/Ka-band payload (all) and optical inter-satellite links (on prototypes), it uses solar arrays and batteries for power and Krypton ion thrusters as its motor system. The satellite's shape is described as box + pan, and its mission is focused on communication purposes.
Starlink is a satellite constellation developed by SpaceX with the aim of providing global broadband internet coverage. Thousands of small satellites are deployed in low Earth orbit (LEO), enabling high-speed internet access even in remote areas. However, the rapid increase in satellites raises concerns about space debris and the potential for collisions, which can lead to further debris creation and endanger other spacecraft. Additionally, the sheer number of Starlink satellites can affect astronomical observations by increasing light pollution. Proper deorbiting plans and international coordination are essential to mitigate these challenges and ensure long-term sustainability in space.