SpaceX’s ambition to enhance its Starlink service with gigabit internet speeds has taken a significant step forward with a recent partial approval from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This decision allows SpaceX not only to launch an additional 7,500 satellites but also to operate them at lower orbits and utilize a larger range of radio frequencies.
The FCC’s announcement on Friday highlights its approval to improve Starlink’s primary and cellular internet services, which are currently offered in partnership with T-Mobile in the US. While SpaceX initially proposed a more extensive plan involving over 22,000 satellites, the FCC opted for a tailored approach, granting a “partial grant” while still anticipating that the next-generation Starlink satellites will improve coverage and deliver symmetrical gigabit speeds.
According to the FCC’s order, which spans 34 pages, the cap for the second-generation Starlink constellation has been doubled from 7,500 to 15,000 satellites. This allows SpaceX to maintain a total of 19,400 operational satellites, following earlier clearance for its first-generation constellation.
Additionally, the FCC has approved the operation of most of these satellites approximately 200 kilometers closer to Earth, further reducing latency. The order specifies deploying “up to 144 satellites in up to 72 planes in several orbital shells, ranging from 340km to 365km.” The higher 500km range will remain accessible for second-generation satellites.
Another notable development is a “time-limited waiver” that allows SpaceX to operate the Starlink network at elevated power levels to enhance speeds. While the FCC is in the process of revising its rules on equivalent power flux density (EPFD), it has determined that granting this waiver is both beneficial to SpaceX’s services and in the public interest, provided that steps are taken to prevent interference with geostationary satellite operators.
However, this waiver is strictly limited to Starlink operations in the US, ensuring that it does not conflict with other satellite systems. The FCC’s approval extends to many, but not all, of the requested radio bands SpaceX aims to use for improving data throughput.
Increased Capacity and Service Growth
Industry analyst Tim Farrar anticipates that the FCC’s ruling will substantially increase Starlink’s network capacity, which has been under strain in densely populated areas. “The peak capacity in high-demand areas could be as much as five times higher, assuming enough satellites are launched to deliver that expanded capacity,” he stated. This increase could significantly elevate Starlink’s US customer base, soon nearing 3 million subscribers, while also minimizing network congestion, particularly in regions with high levels of air traffic.
Farrar also highlighted that the approval includes access to a 2GHz spectrum for SpaceX’s cellular Starlink system, enhancing its potential for data transfer. However, the FCC has only approved this spectrum use outside the US, and additional reviews are necessary for the large constellation of satellites meant to harness it.
Regulatory Implications and Environmental Impact
This approval represents a significant victory for SpaceX amid concerns from competing satellite companies about potential radio interference and challenges in lower orbital operations. The FCC has imposed conditions on its approval, including the mandate for SpaceX to halt any harmful interference, while emphasizing the company’s commitment to collaborating with astronomers regarding light pollution from Starlink satellites.
On the environmental front, the FCC has expressed skepticism regarding claims that decommissioned Starlink satellites pose a risk to the ozone layer. While some scientists have urged the FCC to launch an investigation into the atmospheric effects of satellite reentry, the commission maintains that the existing scientific evidence does not support the need for further review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
SpaceX anticipates leveraging this decision to proceed with launching its next-generation V3 Starlink satellites, which feature larger capacities and upgraded technology. These launches are expected to occur aboard the Starship vehicle, which is still in trial phases. The company estimates the initial V3 satellites will become operational later this year, with current download speeds averaging around 200 Mbps.
