The Federal Communications Commission announced on Friday that it has approved SpaceX's request to deploy an additional 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites, doubling the previously authorized constellation from 7,500 to 15,000 units in total.
This regulatory milestone represents a significant expansion of the company's low Earth orbit communications infrastructure and marks a major victory for the satellite internet provider in its ongoing efforts to establish global broadband dominance.engadget
The approval grants SpaceX authority to enhance its Gen2 satellite network with advanced design features and cutting-edge technology while operating across multiple frequency bands, including Ka, V, and Q-band, supporting both fixed satellite services and mobile connectivity.
The commission's decision also lifts previous restrictions that had limited overlapping beam coverage, enabling substantially improved network capacity.reddit
When combined with the earlier authorized first-generation constellation, SpaceX is now permitted to operate a combined fleet exceeding 19,400 satellites in Earth orbit.
This brings the company substantially closer to its original 2020 request for authorization to deploy 29,988 second-generation Starlinks, though the FCC deferred action on the remaining approximately 15,000 satellites proposed by the company.pcmag
Operational and Technical Enhancements
The FCC's order permits SpaceX to position most of its satellites at lower orbital altitudes, approximately 200 kilometers closer to Earth than previously authorized.
The new deployment framework allows for satellites operating within orbital shells ranging from 340 to 485 kilometers in altitude, including up to 144 satellites across as many as 72 orbital planes in the 340, 345, 365, and 375-kilometer shells, along with capacity for additional satellites in the 480 and 485-kilometer orbital layers. Second-generation satellites will continue maintaining operations at the higher 500-kilometer altitude option as well.pcmag
These lower orbital positions are expected to substantially reduce latency and improve service performance for both broadband and direct-to-cell connectivity applications.
The reduced altitude also aligns with SpaceX's recent initiative to reposition approximately 4,400 satellites from 341 miles to 298 miles in altitude to mitigate collision risks and address orbital debris concerns.engadget
A particularly significant aspect of the authorization involves a time-limited waiver permitting SpaceX to operate its constellation at elevated power levels, a move designed to enhance data transmission speeds.
This waiver applies specifically to domestic U.S. operations and remains conditional upon the company's compliance with interference protection standards for competing geostationary satellite networks.pcmag
Service Capabilities and Global Expansion
The regulatory approval explicitly authorizes SpaceX to offer direct-to-cell connectivity outside the United States, with supplemental coverage available within domestic markets.
This capability extends the company's existing partnership with T-Mobile, through which Starlink subscribers currently access satellite-to-phone services for text messaging and compatible applications in remote locations. Voice call capabilities over satellite are reportedly under development by the two companies.broadbandbreakfast
The enhanced spectrum allocation and improved satellite capabilities are expected to enable fiber-like symmetrical gigabit download and upload speeds, addressing bandwidth demands from both residential consumers and commercial applications in underserved rural areas.
Industry analysts have projected that the expanded constellation could increase peak network capacity in high-demand regions by as much as 20 times, contingent upon sufficient satellite deployment to deliver that additional throughput.broadbandbreakfast
SpaceX's ability to access additional frequency bands represents a critical component of the approval. The commission granted authorization for operation across multiple contiguous spectrum segments, allowing the company to achieve the symmetrical speeds necessary for competitive broadband services.
However, certain limitations apply to specific bands, and SpaceX must coordinate with incumbent operators and geostationary satellite network providers to ensure protection against harmful radio interference.
Timeline and Deployment Requirements
The FCC imposed specific deployment milestones to govern the expansion. SpaceX must have 50 percent of the approved second-generation satellites launched and operational by December 1, 2028, with the remaining 50 percent fully deployed by December 2031.
This timeframe provides the company with five years to achieve initial deployment of approximately 7,500 satellites and roughly nine years for complete constellation deployment.techcrunch
Competitive Context and Market Implications
The approval arrives in a competitive satellite internet landscape where SpaceX faces increasing pressure from rival operators, including Amazon, OneWeb, and others developing competing low Earth orbit constellations.
Industry concerns raised by companies such as Viasat, DISH, and Amazon regarding potential radio interference and restricted access to lower orbital positions have been addressed through specific FCC conditions requiring SpaceX to eliminate any harmful interference that may arise.theverge
The decision has significant implications for SpaceX's commercial prospects, particularly as the company prepares for potential public markets entry in 2026.
Under new Trump administration broadband funding rules, SpaceX is positioned to serve the largest number of locations of any internet service provider under the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, leveraging its expanded satellite authorization.
Environmental and Scientific Considerations
The FCC's determination addressed multiple environmental and scientific concerns previously raised during regulatory proceedings. Astronomers and the scientific community had expressed concerns regarding light pollution from additional satellites and potential interference with radio astronomy observations.
The commission determined that SpaceX's ongoing coordination with NASA and the National Science Foundation, combined with the company's efforts to mitigate satellite reflections through advanced design features, remains sufficient to address these concerns.pcmag
Regarding atmospheric impacts from deorbiting satellites, the FCC acknowledged scientific uncertainties about potential ozone layer effects but determined that sufficient study is not warranted at this time.
However, the agency noted that SpaceX has committed to collaborating with the scientific community to develop methods for studying these effects and monitoring the impact of satellite reentry on the atmosphere.
Future Development Prospects
The authorization is expected to facilitate SpaceX's deployment of next-generation Starlink satellites, particularly the Gen2 v3 constellation, which features larger form factors and enhanced capacity relative to earlier generations.
The company has indicated plans to leverage the Starship vehicle for deploying these advanced satellites, with initial launches projected for later in 2026. Starship's development currently remains in test flight phase, though the vehicle represents SpaceX's long-term strategy for maximizing satellite deployment efficiency and launch capacity.
Additionally, SpaceX is pursuing a separate authorization for a distinct 15,000-satellite constellation designed specifically for direct-to-cell services using spectrum the company is acquiring from EchoStar.
The FCC's order indicates that use of this additional frequency band is currently restricted to international markets, with domestic spectrum allocation still under regulatory review.
The approval underscores the regulatory pathway being established for large-scale commercial satellite constellation expansion and positions SpaceX to maintain its dominance in the rapidly expanding satellite broadband and direct-to-cell communications markets.
