SpaceX gets FCC permission to launch another 7,500 Starlink satellites

SpaceX has been granted permission by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch an additional 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites. This approval brings the total number of authorized Gen2 satellites to an impressive 15,000, including those previously sanctioned. The FCC's announcement highlights that this expansion will allow SpaceX to construct, deploy, and operate these additional satellites, significantly enhancing global Internet access. The new satellites are expected to provide high-speed, low-latency Internet service worldwide, including improvements in mobile connectivity and supplemental coverage from space. Previously, in December 2022, the FCC had authorized the launch of the first set of 7,500 Gen2 satellites but withheld permission for the rest due to concerns regarding orbital debris and space safety. However, the recent order has lifted these restrictions, enabling SpaceX to upgrade its satellites with advanced technology and operate across various frequency bands, including Ku-, Ka-, V-, E-, and W-band frequencies. In a move to enhance operational efficiency, the FCC has also waived outdated regulations that limited overlapping beam coverage, allowing for greater capacity. SpaceX will now be able to introduce new orbital shells at altitudes ranging from 340 km to 485 km, optimizing both coverage and performance. This expansion comes on the heels of SpaceX’s plans to lower approximately 4,400 existing satellites from an altitude of 341 miles (550 kilometers) to 298 miles (480 kilometers) by 2026, a strategic decision aimed at improving space safety by reducing the risk of collisions with debris. Moreover, the FCC's earlier authorization for the initial batch of satellites did not encompass mobile services. However, in November 2024, the agency decided to permit SpaceX to utilize these satellites for Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) in the U.S. This mobile system aims to deliver service to smartphones in regions lacking terrestrial cellular networks.