SpaceX wins FCC approval for 7,500 additional Starlink satellites

The Federal Communications Commission (the US telecommunications regulator) announced on Friday that it has given SpaceX approval to launch 7,500 additional second-generation Starlink satellites. With this approval, the total number of Starlink satellites worldwide will reach 15,000. The decision represents a step forward for SpaceX as it seeks to expand its high-speed internet coverage. By increasing its authorized constellation size, the aerospace company can launch more satellites and expand its high-speed internet coverage to serve more users worldwide.

While the decision marks a significant development for SpaceX, the regulator did not grant the company’s full request. Reuters reported that SpaceX had requested approval for 15,000 additional satellites to bolster its second-generation constellation. Instead of granting the full request, the Federal Communications Commission stated it would “defer authorization of the remaining 14,988 proposed Gen2 Starlink satellites.” This deferral means that nearly all of the additional requested expansion remains on hold, pending future regulatory review. The deferral of these 14,988 satellites represents a significant portion of the company’s original request that remains unapproved.

The Federal Communications Commission has established strict deployment deadlines for the newly authorized capacity. Under the terms of the authorization, SpaceX must launch 50% of the approved satellites by December 1, 2028. The company is then required to launch the remaining 50% of the approved satellites by December 2031. These milestones place a significant operational demand on SpaceX’s launch schedule over the next several years, requiring consistent deployment to meet the December 1, 2028, and December 2031 deadlines.

Beyond expanding capacity, the regulatory decision carries technical implications for mobile connectivity. The Federal Communications Commission’s approval enables the second-generation Starlink satellites to operate across five frequencies. This frequency allocation enables direct-to-cell connectivity, allowing the satellites to connect directly to mobile devices. Under the terms of the decision, this direct-to-cell capability will provide connectivity outside the United States, along with supplemental coverage within the U.S. This dual-coverage model aims to address connectivity gaps both within the U.S. and outside the United States.

Why it matters

This approval allows SpaceX to scale its high-speed internet and direct-to-cell connectivity, enabling service expansion both within the U.S. and outside the United States.