The US government has approved SpaceX’s plan to launch thousands of next-generation Starlink satellites, significantly expanding the company’s global internet service.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said it had authorised SpaceX to deploy an additional 7,500 second-generation (Gen2) Starlink satellites. This brings the total number of satellites the company will have in orbit to around 15,000.
The FCC said the approval marked a “significant milestone in global broadband connectivity” by enabling SpaceX to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet service globally.
SpaceX began launching its Starlink satellites in 2019. As of January 2026, the constellation consists of over 9,422 satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO).
The FCC’s decision will allow SpaceX to upgrade its next-gen Starlink satellites with more advanced technology and has also granted permission for them to operate across a wider range of radio frequencies and in a greater number of orbital configurations. It is also...