But the Falcon 9 second stage is sent on a controlled re-entry after satellite deployment, usually aiming for point Nemo.
There’s only been one second stage failure in 270+ launches and that re-entered in a unguided manner (I’m actually not sure where it re-entered), but it still didn’t leave any major debris in orbit.
And they changed their deployment hardware - those long rods that the sats are contained by - to keep it attached to the second stage, so it all deorbits together.
I think you misunderstood. They’re pointing out that the Falcon 9’s upper stage is always expended
But the Falcon 9 second stage is sent on a controlled re-entry after satellite deployment, usually aiming for point Nemo.
There’s only been one second stage failure in 270+ launches and that re-entered in a unguided manner (I’m actually not sure where it re-entered), but it still didn’t leave any major debris in orbit.
And they changed their deployment hardware - those long rods that the sats are contained by - to keep it attached to the second stage, so it all deorbits together.