The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized SpaceX to deploy an additional 7,500 second-generation (Gen2) Starlink satellites, bringing the company’s total approved constellation to approximately 15,000 orbiting the Earth. This decision, made on Friday, also includes waivers from previous restrictions on overlapping coverage, effectively allowing SpaceX to increase service capacity.
Expanding Global Coverage
SpaceX initially requested approval for a 30,000-satellite constellation, but the FCC has approved only half that number for now. The agency has set deadlines for deployment: 50% of the new satellites must be operational by December 1, 2028, with full deployment expected by December 2031. Despite earlier tensions between SpaceX and the U.S. administration, the approval signals a renewed working relationship.
Faster Speeds, Direct-to-Cell Connectivity
The FCC’s decision prioritizes Starlink’s potential for high-speed internet and direct-to-cell connectivity outside the United States. SpaceX promises speeds of up to 1 Gbps, and this latest approval clears the way for wider expansion. The move suggests the benefits of expanded internet access are outweighing growing concerns about space debris.
Concerns Remain: Space Junk and Light Pollution
The rapid expansion of the Starlink constellation continues to provoke criticism from astronomers, who cite increased light pollution that interferes with observations. Concerns over orbital collisions and space junk have also been raised. SpaceX has already been forced to lower the orbits of some satellites to mitigate collision risks. This latest approval will likely escalate these issues, as more satellites join the already crowded low-Earth orbit.
The FCC’s decision reflects a trade-off between faster global internet access and the long-term sustainability of orbital space. The growing number of satellites in orbit will require continued monitoring and mitigation efforts to ensure the safety of space operations.
