Analysis of deployment and operational strategies for Starlink Stage Ⅰ LEO constellation based on TLE

As satellite application tasks become increasingly complex, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, with advantages such as low launch costs and excellent coverage performance, are gradually becoming the preferred solution for many missions. Many LEO constellation projects have been progressively deployed, with the Starlink satellite constellation being the largest in terms of the number of satellites launched. It was proposed and built by SpaceX, and the details of its deployment and operation strategy have not been fully disclosed. Many studies have analyzed Starlink’s strategy based on actual satellite orbital data, but these have focused mainly on earlier, smaller datasets, and have not discussed the deployment process of more recent launch batches or the use of low thrusters. This article attempts to analyze the recent deployment and operational strategy of Starlink’s first-stage LEO constellation based on the publicly available TLE (two-line element) data. First, the actual configuration of the Starlink constellation is examined. Then, the deployment strategy and the thrust are analyzed based on the changes in the orbital elements. Afterward, the backup and replacement strategy is analyzed by examining the satellite scheduling during their operational stage in their working orbital positions. Finally, the post-mission disposal and deorbit maneuver, if any, are discussed.