SpaceX has received approval from the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch an additional 7,500 second-generation (Gen2) Starlink satellites, increasing its total authorization to 15,000. Including previously approved satellites, this expansion aims to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet service globally, with improvements in mobile and supplemental coverage from space.
The FCC initially granted SpaceX permission for 7,500 satellites in December 2022, but postponed decisions on the remaining Gen2 satellites while limiting certain altitudes to address concerns related to orbital debris and space safety. Today’s decision enables SpaceX to upgrade these Gen2 satellites with advanced form factors and cutting-edge technology, and to operate across various frequency bands, namely Ku-, Ka-, V-, E-, and W-band. These advancements will support both Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) and Mobile Satellite Service (MSS).
The FCC waived outdated requirements that previously prevented overlapping beam coverage, allowing SpaceX to implement new orbital shells at altitudes ranging from 340 km to 485 km, optimizing coverage and performance.
This development follows SpaceX's announcement of plans to lower approximately 4,400 of its current satellites from an altitude of 341 miles (550 kilometers) to 298 miles (480 kilometers) by 2026. The company intends to make this change to reduce collision risks, as lower altitudes tend to have less debris.
In 2022, the authorization for the first 7,500 satellites did not include mobile services. However, in November 2024, the FCC allowed SpaceX to provide Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) in the US using those satellites. Starlink’s mobile system is set to offer service to smartphones in areas not serviced by traditional cellular networks.