According to astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, one or two Starlink satellites are now falling back to Earth every single day With all major announced constellations being effectively deployed, the number of low-Earth orbit satellites could soon exceed 50,000. The result: an increasingly congested orbital environment and rising risks of generating orbital debris, threatening both the safety and sustainability of space operations.
Charles Delfieux, CEO and Founder of UNIVITY, comments, “The race for LEO constellations cannot continue unchecked. Low Earth Orbit populated by spacecraft and orbital debris is not an infinite resource. It’s a shared environment that must be protected. We need a new alternative, and that’s why we chose Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) to expand connectivity without compromising the long-term usability of space. »
A growing risk calls for a new orbital model
As more constellations populate Low Earth Orbit, debris mitigation is no longer an option. It’s a strategic necessity. Based on Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), UNIVITY drastically reduces debris generation by deploying its satellites at self-cleaning orbits. They are thus designed to naturally disintegrate within weeks or months after end of life, reducing the risk of generating new orbital debris.
This environmentally responsible design, combined with the use of telecom operators’ 5G spectrum, enables high-performance, affordable and sustainable connectivity. It bridges the gap between terrestrial networks and universal access, without multiplying obsolete hardware in orbit.
Would you like to speak with Charles Delfieux?
Charles is available for interviews to discuss:
- Why operating closer to Earth is the only sustainable long-term strategy for space connectivity;
- How VLEO 5G constellations can deliver both high performance and environmental responsibility;
- And how Europe can take the lead in building a sovereign, responsible, and collaborative space infrastructure.
UNIVITY: a controlled convergence between space and terrestrial networks
UNIVITY stands out for a business model that places telecom operators at the heart of the value chain and a unique technological combination designed to reconcile performance, integration simplicity, and cost efficiency.
At its core lies a telecommunications architecture based on telecom operators’ 5G spectrum, designed to work in synergy with a Very Low Earth Orbit deployment (<375 km), enabling internet services that cover use cases from high-throughput to Direct-to-Cell.
This approach paves the way for high-performance, affordable, and sustainable connectivity, including in rural, remote, or crisis-affected areas, complementing existing fiber or cellular networks.
