Catenaa, Saturday, January 17, 2026-SpaceX received partial approval from the US Federal Communications Commission to expand its Starlink satellite internet system, allowing the company to launch 7,500 additional satellites, operate at lower orbits, and use more radio frequencies.
The decision supports Starlink’s goal of delivering symmetrical gigabit speeds and improving coverage for both traditional and cellular Starlink services.
The FCC doubled the satellite cap for the second-generation Starlink constellation from 7,500 to 15,000, bringing the total number of approved Starlink satellites to 19,400.
Most satellites can now operate about 200 kilometers closer to Earth, reducing latency. SpaceX also received a time-limited waiver to temporarily operate at higher power levels while the FCC reviews updates to equivalent power-flux density rules.
The approval covers many requested radio bands, helping increase download and upload speeds. Analysts expect the upgrades to potentially quintuple network capacity in high-demand areas and expand Starlink’s US customer base, which is approaching 3 million subscribers.
The FCC imposed conditions to prevent harmful interference with other satellite operators and continues to monitor environmental and astronomical concerns, including satellite reflectivity and atmospheric effects.
SpaceX plans to launch next-generation V3 Starlink satellites with increased capacity, likely later this year using the Starship vehicle, which is still in testing. Current Starlink download speeds typically average around 200 Mbps.
