SpaceX Cleared to Launch 7,500 More Starlink Satellites
▼ Summary
– SpaceX received FCC authorization to launch an additional 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites, bringing its total approved Gen2 constellation to 15,000 satellites.
– The FCC stated this expansion will enable SpaceX to deliver global high-speed, low-latency internet, including enhanced mobile and supplemental coverage from space.
– The agency had previously deferred full approval in 2022, citing the need to address orbital debris and space safety concerns before authorizing the complete constellation.
– The new order allows SpaceX to upgrade satellites with advanced technology, operate across multiple frequency bands, and add new orbital shells at altitudes between 340 km and 485 km.
– This follows SpaceX’s plan to lower thousands of existing satellites to a safer altitude and a recent FCC decision permitting the use of these satellites for mobile service in uncovered areas.
The Federal Communications Commission has granted SpaceX approval to launch an additional 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites, significantly expanding the company’s constellation for global internet coverage. This latest authorization brings the total number of approved Gen2 satellites to 15,000, a move designed to enhance high-speed, low-latency broadband access worldwide. The decision underscores a major step in deploying next-generation satellite technology to bridge the digital divide and provide connectivity in remote and underserved regions.
Under this grant, SpaceX is authorized to construct, deploy, and operate an additional 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites, bringing the total to 15,000 satellites worldwide. The FCC emphasized that this expansion will facilitate the delivery of enhanced mobile and supplemental coverage from space. While the agency approved the first batch of 7,500 satellites in December 2022, it deferred action on the remainder at that time, citing the need to carefully evaluate orbital debris and space safety concerns before moving forward with the full constellation.
Today’s order permits SpaceX to upgrade its satellite designs with advanced form factors and cutting-edge technology. The company will now be able to operate across a broader spectrum, including Ku-, Ka-, V-, E-, and W-band frequencies. This capability supports both Fixed Satellite Service and Mobile Satellite Service. The FCC is also waiving certain outdated regulatory requirements that previously restricted overlapping beam coverage and limited capacity enhancements. Furthermore, SpaceX can introduce new orbital shells at altitudes ranging from 340 kilometers to 485 kilometers, a strategy aimed at optimizing network coverage and overall performance.
This regulatory milestone follows a recent announcement from SpaceX regarding orbital adjustments for thousands of its existing satellites. The company plans to lower approximately 4,400 satellites from an altitude of 341 miles down to 298 miles during 2026. This change is intended to increase space safety by operating in a lower orbital region with less debris, thereby reducing potential collision risks. The proactive maneuver aligns with growing industry and regulatory focus on sustainable space operations.
The initial 2022 authorization for the first 7,500 satellites did not include provisions for mobile services. However, in a separate decision last November, the FCC determined that SpaceX could utilize those satellites to provide Supplemental Coverage from Space within the United States. This functionality enables Starlink’s mobile system to deliver connectivity directly to standard smartphones in areas where traditional terrestrial cellular networks are unavailable or unreliable, marking a significant evolution in the service’s capabilities.
(Source: Ars Technica)
