SpaceX gets FCC permission to launch another 7,500 Starlink satellites
SpaceX Expands Its Starlink Constellation with 7,500 New Satellites
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted SpaceX permission to launch an additional 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites, bringing the total authorization to 15,000 Gen2 satellites worldwide. This expansion will enable SpaceX to deliver high-speed, low-latency Internet service globally, including enhanced mobile and supplemental coverage from space.
A Brief History of Starlink
In December 2022, the FCC gave SpaceX permission for the first set of 7,500 satellites in the second-generation constellation. However, the agency deferred action on the rest of the second-generation constellation at the time and limited the first batch to certain altitudes, citing concerns about orbital debris and space safety. Today's order allows SpaceX to upgrade the Gen2 Starlink satellites with advanced form factors and cutting-edge technology, operate across Ku-, Ka-, V-, E-, and W-band frequencies, supporting both Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) and Mobile Satellite Service (MSS).
What This Means for Space Safety
The FCC said it is waiving "obsolete requirements that prevented overlapping beam coverage and enhanced capacity," and is letting SpaceX "add new orbital shells at altitudes ranging from 340 km to 485 km, optimizing coverage and performance." This change will allow SpaceX to increase space safety as the lower altitudes have less debris that satellites could collide with. To further reduce the risk of collisions, SpaceX has announced plans to lower about 4,400 of its existing satellites from an altitude of 341 miles (550 kilometers) to 298 miles (480 kilometers) during 2026.
The Role of Starlink in Mobile Service
The 2022 authorization for the first 7,500 satellites didn't include mobile service, but the FCC decided in November 2024 that SpaceX could use those satellites to provide Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) in the US. Starlink's mobile system provides service to smartphones in areas not covered by terrestrial cellular networks. T-Mobile is using Starlink in the US, and the satellite operator has partnerships with carriers overseas. With today's FCC authorization, Starlink will be able to provide both fixed and mobile service from all 15,000 second-generation satellites.
SpaceX's Plans for the Future
SpaceX also recently struck a $17 billion deal to buy spectrum licenses from EchoStar, which will give it 50 Mhz of mobile spectrum and reduce its reliance on cellular carriers. SpaceX has been leasing 10 MHz of spectrum from T-Mobile to provide supplemental service in the US. Starlink is separately planning to launch yet another 15,000 satellites that are designed for mobile service. SpaceX asked the FCC to approve this plan in September 2025, saying the "new system will offer a new generation of MSS connectivity, supporting voice, texting, and high-speed data."
Industry Opposition
Starlink requests for FCC authorization often face opposition from other satellite firms, and the application for 15,000 more satellites is no exception. Viasat filed a petition to deny the application on Monday this week, citing concerns about interference risks and the impact on other spectrum users. Globalstar also filed a petition to deny, and several other satellite operators raised objections. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has generally been a supporter of SpaceX and Elon Musk, however.
Implications for the Industry
The FCC's decision to grant SpaceX permission to launch an additional 7,500 satellites has significant implications for the industry. It will enable SpaceX to deliver high-speed, low-latency Internet service globally, including enhanced mobile and supplemental coverage from space. This will provide greater connectivity and access to remote areas, and will also increase competition in the satellite industry. However, it also raises concerns about orbital debris and space safety, and the impact on other spectrum users.
Conclusion
The FCC's decision to grant SpaceX permission to launch an additional 7,500 satellites is a significant development in the satellite industry. It will enable SpaceX to deliver high-speed, low-latency Internet service globally, including enhanced mobile and supplemental coverage from space. However, it also raises concerns about orbital debris and space safety, and the impact on other spectrum users. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be important to balance the need for greater connectivity and access with the need to ensure the safety and sustainability of space operations.
Forward-Looking Thoughts
The FCC's decision to grant SpaceX permission to launch an additional 7,500 satellites is just the latest development in the rapidly evolving satellite industry. As the industry continues to grow and expand, it will be important to stay ahead of the curve and anticipate the implications of new technologies and innovations. With the launch of new satellites and the development of new technologies, the possibilities for greater connectivity and access are endless. As we look to the future, it will be exciting to see how the satellite industry continues to evolve and shape the world of tomorrow.
