"Sky Tracks" of Starlink Communications Satellites over Inner Mongolia, China

"Sky Tracks" of Starlink Communications Satellites over Inner Mongolia, China

This picture features a cleverly overlayed time-lapse sequence of a group of satellites orbiting Earth together in June 2025. Specifically, these are Starlink communications satellites in low Earth orbit reflecting back sunlight before sunrise to Inner Mongolia, China. Although the satellites appear to the human eye as points, the 20-second-long camera exposures caused them to appear as short streaks. Currently, there are over 9,000 Starlinks in orbit, with more being launched nearly every week. Starlink satellites are currently in low Earth orbit at approximately 550 kilometers. Other satellite constellations are also being planned. 

"In 2025, Starlink connected more than 4.6 million new active customers and is now connecting 9.2 million people."

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, LLC, an international telecommunications provider that is a wholly owned subsidiary of American aerospace company SpaceX, providing coverage to around 150 countries and territories.

Image Description: A star filled sky shows bands of green and purple sky glow. In the foreground is a grassy field with clouds on the horizon. Most remarkably, a series of short streaks appear from the horizon toward the upper left. 

Image Credit & Copyright: Wang Chao
Release Date: Dec. 30, 2025

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