In a major boost for Elon Musk's space internet ambitions, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted SpaceX permission to construct, deploy, and operate an additional 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites. This authorization brings the total number of approved Gen2 satellites for the constellation to a staggering 15,000 worldwide.
FCC Greenlights Massive Satellite Expansion
The FCC announced the decision in an official release, marking a significant milestone for global broadband connectivity. The regulatory body had previously granted permission for the first batch of 7,500 Gen2 satellites in December 2022. However, at that time, it deferred action on the rest and limited the initial batch to certain altitudes. The FCC stated it needed to "address concerns about orbital debris and space safety" before giving the final go-ahead for the full constellation.
This latest approval allows SpaceX to upgrade its satellite technology significantly. The company can now operate across a wider range of frequency bands, including Ku-, Ka-, V-, E-, and W-band. It also permits new orbital shells at altitudes between 340 km and 485 km, which is expected to optimize coverage and performance for users globally, including in India.
SpaceX Prioritizes Space Safety with Major Reconfiguration
The FCC's approval follows a major safety announcement from SpaceX itself. On January 1, the company revealed plans to lower approximately 4,400 of its existing first-generation Starlink satellites. Michael Nicolls, SpaceX's Vice President of Starlink Engineering, stated that these satellites would be moved from an altitude of 341 miles (550 km) down to 298 miles (480 km) over the course of 2026.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Nicolls explained that Starlink is beginning a significant reconfiguration of its satellite constellation focused on increasing space safety. He noted that the number of debris objects and planned satellite constellations is significantly lower below 500 km, which reduces the overall likelihood of collisions.
"Starlink satellites have extremely high reliability, with only 2 dead satellites in its fleet of over 9000 operational satellites," Nicolls wrote. "Nevertheless, if a satellite does fail on orbit, we want it to deorbit as quickly as possible. These actions will further improve the safety of the constellation."
What This Means for Global and Indian Users
The expansion of the Gen2 Starlink system is designed to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet service across the globe. For users in remote and rural areas of India, this could mean a more reliable alternative to traditional terrestrial broadband. The FCC's order specifically highlights that the system will provide enhanced mobile and supplemental coverage from space, paving the way for next-generation mobile services.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr emphasized the strategic importance of the decision, linking it to restoring America's technology leadership. The authorization waives obsolete requirements that previously prevented overlapping beam coverage, thereby enhancing the network's overall capacity and resilience.
With this clearance, SpaceX's Starlink project takes a giant leap forward in its mission to create a massive satellite internet mesh, promising to bridge the digital divide in underserved regions worldwide, including vast parts of the Indian subcontinent.
