FCC approves 7,500 more SpaceX satellites, bringing total to 15,000 by 2031
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved a plan submitted by Starlink, a satellite internet service provider, to launch 7,500 '
FCC approves SpaceX plan to deploy an additional 7,500 Starlink satellites | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/fcc-approves-spacex-plan-deploy-additional-7500-starlink-satellites-2026-01-09/
The FCC is letting SpaceX launch 7,500 more Starlink satellites | The Verge
Second-generation satellites are an improved version of the first-generation satellites, achieving significantly higher throughput and being physically larger. Officially called 'V2,' they are available in two versions: one compatible with the Starship spacecraft and the 'V2 Mini,' a smaller version compatible with the Falcon 9 rocket.
The V2 is authorized for 7,500 launches in 2022, and has received approval for an additional 7,500 launches in 2026, bringing SpaceX's total operational capacity to 15,000 V2s.
As of October 2025, SpaceX has successfully launched a total of 10,000 first-generation satellites into space. These satellites have a limited lifespan, so some of them are being disposed of.
The approval also allows SpaceX to upgrade its satellites and operate on five frequencies, waiving previous requirements that prevented overlapping coverage and increased capacity. The FCC said the additional satellites will enhance coverage both within and outside the United States, enabling next-generation mobile services and internet speeds of up to 1Gbps.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr emphasized, 'This authorization is a game-changer for enabling next-generation services. With this authorization for 15,000 new satellites, SpaceX will be able to deliver unprecedented satellite broadband capacity, strengthen competition, and pave the way to help ensure no community is left behind.'
SpaceX initially applied to deploy approximately 30,000 satellites, but at the time of writing, only a small number had been approved.
The FCC has stipulated that half of the approved 7,500 satellites must be launched, placed in their assigned orbits, and operational by December 1, 2028, with the remaining satellites to be launched by December 2031. The deployment of the 7,500 first-generation satellites must be completed by the end of November 2027.
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