Starlink#Constellation design and status

Constellations of low Earth orbit satellites were first conceptualized in the mid-1980s as part of the Strategic Defense Initiative, culminating in Brilliant Pebbles, where weapons were to be staged in low orbits to intercept ballistic missiles at short notice. The potential for low-latency communication was also recognized and development offshoots in the 1990s led to numerous commercial megaconstellations using around 100 satellites such as Celestri, Teledesic, Iridium, and Globalstar. However, all entities entered bankruptcy by the dot-com bubble burst, due in part to excessive launch costs at the time.{{Cite news |last=de Selding |first=Peter B. |title=Teledesic Plays Its Last Card, Leaves the Game |work=Space.com |url=http://www.space.com/spacenews/archive03/teledesicarch_071403.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031018172953/http://www.space.com/spacenews/archive03/teledesicarch_071403.html |archive-date=October 18, 2003}}{{Cite magazine |last=Gilder |first=George |date=October 6, 1997 |title=Light Speed Trap Ahead |url=https://www.forbes.com/asap/1997/1006/118_3.html |url-status=live |magazine=Forbes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123034508/https://www.forbes.com/asap/1997/1006/118_3.html |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |access-date=January 23, 2022}}

In 2004, Larry Williams, SpaceX VP of Strategic Relations and former VP of Teledesic's "Internet in the sky" program, opened the SpaceX Washington DC office.{{Cite news |date=March 12, 2012 |title=SpaceX Wash Ops Executive Launching Consulting Firm |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-wash-ops-executive-launching-consulting-firm/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231214134823/https://spacenews.com/spacex-wash-ops-executive-launching-consulting-firm/ |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |newspaper=SpaceNews}} That June, SpaceX acquired a stake in Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) as part of a "shared strategic vision".{{Cite news |last=de Selding |first=Peter B |date=January 31, 2005 |title=Space X Takes 10 Percent Stake in Surrey Satellite Technology |work=SpaceNews |location=Paris |url=https://spacenews.com/space-x-takes-10-percent-stake-surrey-satellite-technology/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231214135145/https://spacenews.com/space-x-takes-10-percent-stake-surrey-satellite-technology/ |archive-date=December 14, 2023}} SSTL was at that time working to extend the Internet into space.{{Cite press release |last1=Nice |first1=Audrey |last2=Wolstenholme |first2=Robin |date=September 11, 2008 |title=UK-DMC satellite first to transfer sensor data from space using 'bundle' protocol |url=http://www.sstl.co.uk/News_and_Events/Latest_News/?story=1254 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426220355/http://www.sstl.co.uk/News_and_Events/Latest_News/?story=1254 |archive-date=April 26, 2012 |publisher=Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd}} However, SpaceX's stake was eventually sold back to EADS Astrium in 2008 after the company became more focused on navigation and Earth observation.[http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/press/0408/070408 "EADS Astrium signs an agreement to acquire Surrey Satellite Technology Limited from the University of Surrey."]{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416155340/http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/portal/page?_pageid=799,1960672&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |date=April 16, 2008 }} University of Surrey, April 7, 2008.

In early 2014, Elon Musk and Greg Wyler were working together planning a constellation of around 700 satellites called WorldVu, which would be over 10 times the size of the then largest Iridium satellite constellation.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musks-next-mission-internet-satellites-1415390062 |title=Elon Musk's Next Mission: Internet Satellites |last=Winkler |first=Rolfe |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=November 7, 2014|access-date=September 10, 2021|archive-date=October 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020033331/https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musks-next-mission-internet-satellites-1415390062|url-status=live}} However, these discussions broke down in June 2014, and SpaceX instead filed an International Telecommunications Union (ITU) application via the Norwegian Communications Authority under the name STEAM.{{cite web |url=https://qz.com/434997/inside-the-race-to-create-the-next-generation-of-satellite-internet/ |title=Inside the race to create the next generation of satellite internet |last=Fernholz |first=Tim |date=June 24, 2015|access-date=September 10, 2021|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911055525/https://qz.com/434997/inside-the-race-to-create-the-next-generation-of-satellite-internet/|url-status=live}} SpaceX confirmed the connection in the 2016 application to license Starlink with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).{{cite web |url=https://fcc.report/IBFS/SAT-LOA-20161115-00118/1158350.pdf |title=Application for Fixed Satellite Service by Space Exploration Holdings, LLC; Technical attachment |page=49 |date=November 15, 2016|access-date=September 11, 2021|archive-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508131757/https://fcc.report/IBFS/SAT-LOA-20161115-00118/1158350.pdf|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}} SpaceX trademarked the name Starlink in the United States for their satellite broadband network;{{cite web |last=Boyle |first=Alan |date=September 19, 2017 |title=SpaceX seeks to trademark the name "Starlink" for satellite broadband network |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2017/spacex-seeks-trademark-name-starlink-satellite-broadband-network/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160054/https://www.geekwire.com/2017/spacex-seeks-trademark-name-starlink-satellite-broadband-network/ |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=May 13, 2019 |publisher=GeekWire}} the name was inspired by the 2012 novel The Fault in Our Stars.{{cite web |title=How Indianapolis author John Green inspired one of Elon Musk's most grand ideas |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/02/22/how-indianapolis-author-john-green-inspired-one-elon-musks-most-grand-ideas/360889002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160058/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/02/22/how-indianapolis-author-john-green-inspired-one-elon-musks-most-grand-ideas/360889002/ |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=May 15, 2019 |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star}}

File:SpaceX satellite development facility, Redmond, Washington, 2018 (cropped).jpg

Starlink was publicly announced in January 2015 with the opening of the SpaceX satellite development facility in Redmond, Washington. During the opening, Musk stated there is still significant unmet demand worldwide for low-cost broadband capabilities.{{cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=October 10, 2016 |title=Shotwell says SpaceX "homing in" on cause of Falcon 9 pad explosion |publisher=SpaceNews |url=http://spacenews.com/shotwell-says-spacex-homing-in-on-cause-of-falcon-9-pad-explosion/|access-date=October 16, 2016}}{{cite web |date=June 23, 2014 |title=Types of Broadband Connections |url=https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160108/https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections|archive-date=November 17, 2020|access-date=September 3, 2020 |website=fcc.gov |publisher=Federal Communications Commission (FCC)}} {{PD-notice}} and that Starlink would target bandwidth to carry up to 50% of all backhaul communications traffic, and up to 10% of local Internet traffic, in high-density cities.{{cite news |last1=Gates |first1=Dominic |title=Elon Musk touts launch of "SpaceX Seattle" |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2025480750_spacexmuskxml.html|access-date=January 19, 2015 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=January 16, 2015|archive-date=February 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213044054/http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2025480750_spacexmuskxml.html|url-status=live}}{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHeZHyOnsm4 |title=SpaceX Seattle 2015 |date=January 17, 2015 |publisher=Cliff O |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231102517/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHeZHyOnsm4 |archive-date=December 31, 2021 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}} Musk further stated that the positive cash flow from selling satellite internet services would be necessary to fund their Mars plans.{{cite news |url=http://spacenews.com/musk-reiterates-plans-for-testing-bfr/ |title=Musk reiterates plans for testing BFR |last=Foust |first=Jeff |publisher=SpaceNews |date=March 12, 2018|access-date=March 15, 2018 |quote=Construction of the first prototype spaceship is in progress. "We're actually building that ship right now", he said. "I think we'll probably be able to do short flights, short sort of up-and-down flights, probably sometime in the first half of next year". |archive-date=April 2, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200402064406/https://spacenews.com/musk-reiterates-plans-for-testing-bfr/|url-status=live}} Furthermore, SpaceX has long-term plans to develop and deploy a version of the satellite communication system to serve Mars.{{cite web |title=SpaceX will build Starlink-like constellation around Mars, its president says |url=https://futurism.com/the-byte/spacex-starlink-like-constellation-mars|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203224012/https://futurism.com/the-byte/spacex-starlink-like-constellation-mars|archive-date=February 3, 2021|access-date=April 28, 2021 |website=Futurism|date=October 22, 2020 }}

Starting with 60 engineers, the company operated in {{cvt|30000|sqft|order=flip}} of leased space, and by January 2017 had taken on a {{cvt|2800|m2}} second facility, both in Redmond.{{cite web |last=Boyle |first=Alan |url=http://www.geekwire.com/2017/spacex-lab-satellite-development-redmond/ |title=SpaceX adds a big new lab to its satellite development operation in Seattle area |publisher=GeekWire |date=January 27, 2017|access-date=May 13, 2019|archive-date=November 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127080411/https://www.geekwire.com/2017/spacex-lab-satellite-development-redmond/|url-status=live}} In August 2018, SpaceX consolidated all their Seattle-area operations with a move to a larger three-building facility at Redmond Ridge Corporate Center to support satellite manufacturing in addition to R&D. In July 2016, SpaceX acquired an additional {{cvt|8000|sqft|order=flip}} creative space in Irvine, California (Orange County).{{cite web |url=http://www.teslarati.com/spacex-expands-office-space-in-orange-county/ |title=SpaceX expands to new 8000 sqft office space in Orange County, California |website=teslarati.com |date=July 8, 2016|access-date=May 23, 2019|archive-date=May 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513175400/https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-expands-office-space-in-orange-county/|url-status=live}} The Irvine office would include signal processing, RFIC, and ASIC development for the satellite program.{{cite web |url=http://www.spacex.com/careers/list |title=Open Positions |work=SpaceX |access-date=February 2, 2017|archive-date=August 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819080642/https://www.spacex.com/careers/list|url-status=live |author1=Spacex }}

By October 2016, the satellite division was focusing on a significant business challenge of achieving a sufficiently low-cost design for the user equipment. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said then that the project remained in the "design phase as the company seeks to tackle issues related to user-terminal cost".{{cite news |last=de Selding |first=Peter B. |url=http://spacenews.com/spacexs-shotwell-on-falcon-9-inquiry-discounts-for-reused-rockets-and-silicon-valleys-test-and-fail-ethos/ |title=SpaceX's Shotwell on Falcon 9 inquiry, discounts for reused rockets and Silicon Valley's test-and-fail ethos |publisher=SpaceNews |date=October 5, 2016|access-date=October 8, 2016|archive-date=March 31, 2017|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20170331044056/http://spacenews.com/spacexs%2Dshotwell%2Don%2Dfalcon%2D9%2Dinquiry%2Ddiscounts%2Dfor%2Dreused%2Drockets%2Dand%2Dsilicon%2Dvalleys%2Dtest%2Dand%2Dfail%2Dethos/|url-status=live}}

In November 2016, SpaceX filed an application with the FCC for a "non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite system in the fixed-satellite service using the Ku- and Ka- frequency bands".{{cite web |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/ib/forms/reports/swr031b.hts?q_set=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC/File%20Number/=/SATLOA2016111500118&prepare=&column=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC/ |title=FCC Selected Application Listing File Number=SATLOA2016111500118 |date=November 15, 2016 |website=International Bureau Application Filing and Reporting System |publisher=FCC|access-date=November 22, 2016|archive-date=April 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420083344/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/ib/forms/reports/swr031b.hts?q_set=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC%2FFile%20Number%2F%3D%2FSATLOA2016111500118&prepare=&column=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC%2F|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}}

In September 2017, the FCC ruled that half of the constellation must be in orbit within six years to comply with licensing terms, while the full system should be in orbit within nine years from the date of the license.{{cite web |date=September 7, 2017 |title=Updating Rules for Non-Geostationary-Satellite Orbit Fixed-Satellite Service Constellations |url=https://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2017/db0907/DOC-346584A1.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512212502/https://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2017/db0907/DOC-346584A1.pdf|archive-date=May 12, 2021 |website=FCC |page=44}}

SpaceX filed documents in late 2017 with the FCC to clarify their space debris mitigation plan, under which the company was to:

"... implement an operations plan for the orderly de-orbit of satellites nearing the end of their useful lives (roughly five to seven years) at a rate far faster than is required under international standards. [Satellites] will de-orbit by propulsively moving to a disposal orbit from which they will re-enter the Earth's atmosphere within approximately one year after completion of their mission."{{cite news |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/10/spacex-and-oneweb-broadband-satellites-raise-fears-about-space-debris/ |title=SpaceX and OneWeb broadband satellites raise fears about space debris |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |publisher=Ars Technica |date=4 October 2017|access-date=2017-10-07|archive-date=2017-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006232900/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/10/spacex-and-oneweb-broadband-satellites-raise-fears-about-space-debris/|url-status=live}}

In March 2018, the FCC granted SpaceX approval for the initial 4,425 satellites, with some conditions. SpaceX would need to obtain a separate approval from the ITU.{{cite web |url=https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-authorizes-spacex-provide-broadband-satellite-services |title=FCC Authorizes SpaceX to Provide Broadband Satellite Services |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |date=March 29, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2018|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160055/https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-authorizes-spacex-provide-broadband-satellite-services|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}}{{cite news |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/03/spacex-gets-fcc-approval-to-build-worldwide-satellite-broadband-network/ |title=FCC approves SpaceX plan to launch 4,425 broadband satellites |publisher=Ars Technica |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |date=March 30, 2018|access-date=March 30, 2018|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160139/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/03/spacex-gets-fcc-approval-to-build-worldwide-satellite-broadband-network/|url-status=live}} The FCC supported a NASA request to ask SpaceX to achieve an even higher level of de-orbiting reliability than the standard that NASA had previously used for itself: reliably de-orbiting 90% of the satellites after their missions are complete.{{cite web |last=Henry |first=Caleb |url=https://spacenews.com/us-regulators-approve-spacex-constellation-but-deny-waiver-for-easier-deployment-deadline/ |title=FCC approves SpaceX constellation, denies waiver for easier deployment deadline |publisher=SpaceNews |date=March 29, 2018|access-date=May 23, 2019|archive-date=March 31, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180331174720/http://spacenews.com/us-regulators-approve-spacex-constellation-but-deny-waiver-for-easier-deployment-deadline/|url-status=live}}

In May 2018, SpaceX expected the total cost of development and buildout of the constellation to approach $10 billion ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=10000000000|start_year=2018|r=-7|fmt=eq}}).{{cite news |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/05/block-5-spacex-increase-launch-cadence-lower-prices/ |title=With Block 5, SpaceX to increase launch cadence and lower prices |last=Baylor |first=Michael |publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com |date=May 17, 2018|access-date=May 22, 2018 |quote=The system is designed to improve global Internet access by utilizing thousands of satellites in Low Earth orbit. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell stated in a TED Talk last month that she expects the constellation to cost at least US$10 billion. Therefore, reducing launch costs will be vital.|archive-date=May 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518060725/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/05/block-5-spacex-increase-launch-cadence-lower-prices/|url-status=live}} In mid-2018, SpaceX reorganized the satellite development division in Redmond and terminated several members of senior management.{{cite web |last=Boyle |first=Alan |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2018/spacex-reorganizes-seattle-starlink-satellite/ |title=SpaceX reorganizes Starlink satellite operation, reportedly with high-level firings |publisher=GeekWire |date=October 31, 2018|access-date=November 2, 2018|archive-date=May 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502122956/https://www.geekwire.com/2018/spacex-reorganizes-seattle-starlink-satellite/|url-status=live}}

After launching two test satellites in February 2018, the first batch of 60 operational Starlink satellites were launched in May 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/starlink_press_kit.pdf |title=Starlink Press Kit |website=spacex.com |date=May 15, 2019|access-date=May 23, 2019|archive-date=May 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515091900/https://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/starlink_press_kit.pdf|url-status=live}}

By late 2019, SpaceX was transitioning their satellite efforts from research and development to manufacturing, with the planned first launch of a large group of satellites to orbit, and the clear need to achieve an average launch rate of "44 high-performance, low-cost spacecraft built and launched every month for the next 60 months" to get the 2,200 satellites launched to support their FCC spectrum allocation license assignment.{{cite web |last=Ralph |first=Eric |url=https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starlink-first-launch-date/ |title=SpaceX's first dedicated Starlink launch announced as mass production begins |publisher=Teslarati |date=April 8, 2019|access-date=April 9, 2019|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160124/https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starlink-first-launch-date/|url-status=live}} SpaceX said they will meet the deadline of having half the constellation "in orbit within six years of authorization... and the full system in nine years".

By July 2020, Starlink's limited beta internet service was opened to invitees from the public. Invitees had to sign non-disclosure agreements, and were only charged $2 per month to test out billing services.{{cite web |url=https://www.starlink.com/terms-of-service |title=Starlink Beta Terms of Service |website=spacex.com |date=July 15, 2020|access-date=July 15, 2020|archive-date=July 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715141229/https://www.starlink.com/terms-of-service|url-status=live}} In October 2020 a wider public beta was launched, where beta testers were charged the full monthly cost and could speak freely about their experience. Starlink beta testers reported speeds over 150 Mbit/s, above the range announced for the public beta test.{{cite web |title=SpaceX's Starlink Internet speeds are consistently topping 150 Mbps — now Elon Musk says the biggest challenge is slashing the US$600 up-front cost for users |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/starlink-public-beta-speed-cost-subscription-elon-musk-2020-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160211/https://www.businessinsider.com/starlink-public-beta-speed-cost-subscription-elon-musk-2020-11 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=November 6, 2020 |website=Business Insider}}

File:Starlink Lieferumfang (51227435151).jpg

Pre-orders were first opened to the public in the United States and Canada in early 2021.{{cite web |title=SpaceX opens Starlink satellite Internet pre-orders to the public |date=February 10, 2021 |url=https://www.engadget.com/spacex-starlink-internet-preorders-121427490.html |publisher=Engadget|access-date=February 10, 2021|archive-date=February 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210134847/https://www.engadget.com/spacex-starlink-internet-preorders-121427490.html|url-status=live}}

The FCC had earlier awarded SpaceX with $885.5 million worth of federal subsidies to support rural broadband customers in 35 U.S. states through Starlink.{{cite web |title=SpaceX's Starlink wins nearly US$900 million in FCC subsidies to bring Internet to rural areas |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/07/spacex-starlink-wins-nearly-900-million-in-fcc-subsidies-auction.html |website=cnbc.com |publisher=CNBC |date=December 9, 2020|access-date=December 10, 2020|archive-date=December 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216185501/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/07/spacex-starlink-wins-nearly-900-million-in-fcc-subsidies-auction.html|url-status=live}} but the $885.5 million aid package was revoked in August 2022, with the FCC stating that Starlink "failed to demonstrate" its ability to deliver the promised service.{{cite web |last1=Fingas |first1=J. |title=FCC rejects Starlink request for nearly $900 million in broadband subsidies |url=https://www.engadget.com/fcc-rejects-spacex-starlink-rural-broad-band-funds-194352343.html |website=Engadget |date=August 10, 2022 |access-date=August 11, 2022 |archive-date=August 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810203620/https://www.engadget.com/fcc-rejects-spacex-starlink-rural-broad-band-funds-194352343.html |url-status=live}} SpaceX later appealed the decision saying they met or surpassed all RDOF deployment requirements that existed during bidding and that the FCC created "new standards that no bidder could meet today".{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/09/starlink-appeals-fcc-rejection-of-886m-grant-calls-reversal-grossly-unfair/ |title=Starlink appeals FCC rejection of $886M grant, calls reversal "grossly unfair" |publisher=Ars Technica |date=September 12, 2022|access-date=September 15, 2022|archive-date=September 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915065416/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/09/starlink-appeals-fcc-rejection-of-886m-grant-calls-reversal-grossly-unfair/|url-status=live}} In December 2023, the FCC formally denied SpaceX's appeal since "Starlink had not shown that it was reasonably capable of fulfilling RDOF's requirements to deploy a network of the scope, scale, and size" required to win the subsidy.{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2023 |title=FCC issues final denial of $885M Starlink subsidy |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/12/fcc-issues-final-denial-of-885m-starlink-subsidy/ |access-date=December 18, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220085704/https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/12/fcc-issues-final-denial-of-885m-starlink-subsidy/ |url-status=live}}

In March 2021, SpaceX submitted an application to the FCC for mobile variations of their terminal designed for vehicles, vessels and aircraft,{{cite web |title=Application for Blanket-Licensed Earth Stations in Motion |url=https://fcc.report/IBFS/SES-LIC-INTR2021-00934/3877177.pdf |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |access-date=March 7, 2021|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309064421/https://fcc.report/IBFS/SES-LIC-INTR2021-00934/3877177.pdf|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}}{{cite web |last=Alvarez |first=Simon |date=March 6, 2021 |title=Starlink FCC application reveal plans for satellite internet in moving vehicles |url=https://www.teslarati.com/starlink-moving-vehicles-tesla-fcc-application/|access-date=March 7, 2021 |website=teslarati.com|archive-date=March 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306223117/https://www.teslarati.com/starlink-moving-vehicles-tesla-fcc-application/|url-status=live}} and later in June the company applied to the FCC to use mobile Starlink transceivers on launch vehicles flying to Earth orbit, after having previously tested high-altitude low-velocity mobile use on a rocket prototype in May 2021.{{cite news |title=SpaceX says Starship can beat "plasma blackout" with Starlink antennas |url=https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starship-plasma-blackout-starlink-test/ |last=Ralph |first=Eric |date=July 1, 2021|access-date=July 5, 2021|archive-date=July 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701203411/https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starship-plasma-blackout-starlink-test|url-status=live}}

In 2022, SpaceX announced the Starlink Business service tier, a higher-performance version of the service. It provides a larger high-performance antenna and listed speeds of between 150 and 500 Mbit/s with a cost of $2500 for the antenna and a $500 monthly service fee. The service includes 24/7, prioritized support.{{cite web |last=Porter |first=Jon |date=February 2, 2022 |title=SpaceX's new Starlink Business tier promises up to 500Mbps for $500 a month – The new antenna carries an upfront cost of $2500 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/2/22913921/spacex-starlink-premium-satellite-internet-faster-speed-expensive |access-date=February 3, 2022 |website=The Verge |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604151824/https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/2/22913921/spacex-starlink-premium-satellite-internet-faster-speed-expensive |url-status=live}} Deliveries are advertised to begin in the second quarter of 2022.{{cite web |author=SpaceX |date=February 2, 2022 |title=Starlink Business |url=https://www.starlink.com/business |access-date=March 29, 2022 |website=Starlink |archive-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704112635/https://www.starlink.com/business |url-status=live}} The FCC also approved the licensing of Starlink services to boats, aircraft, and moving vehicles.{{cite news |last=Rainbow |first=Jason |date=August 31, 2022 |title=Starlink secures first cruise line customer with Royal Caribbean |work=SpaceNews |url=https://spacenews.com/starlink-secures-first-cruise-line-customer-with-royal-caribbean/ |access-date=August 31, 2022 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213164749/https://spacenews.com/starlink-secures-first-cruise-line-customer-with-royal-caribbean/ |url-status=live}} Starlink terminal production being delayed by the 2020–2023 global chip shortage led to only 5,000 subscribers for the last two months of 2021 but this was soon resolved.{{cite news |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/starlink-deliveries-slow-amid-chip-shortage-fedex-delays |title=Starlink Deliveries Slow Amid Chip Shortage, FedEx Delays |publisher=PC Magazine |date=January 7, 2022|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101184520/https://www.pcmag.com/news/starlink-deliveries-slow-amid-chip-shortage-fedex-delays|url-status=live}}

On December 1, 2022, the FCC issued an approval for SpaceX{{Cite web |last=Dortch |first=Marlene |date=December 1, 2022 |title=Federal Communications Commission FCC 22-91A1 |url=https://stlksat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/FCC-22-91A1.pdf |website=STLKSAT}} to launch the initial 7500 satellites for its second-generation (Gen2) constellation, in three low-Earth-orbit orbital shells, at 525, 530, and 535 km (326, 329 and 332 mile) altitude. Overall, SpaceX had requested approval for as many as 29,988 Gen2 satellites, with approximately 10,000 in the 525–535 km (326 to 332 mile) altitude shells, plus ~20,000 in 340–360 km (210 mile to 220 mile) shells and nearly 500 in 604–614 km (375 to 382 mile) shells. However, the FCC noted that this is not a net increase in approved on-orbit satellites for SpaceX since SpaceX is no longer planning to deploy 7518 V-band satellites at {{cvt|340|km}} altitude that had previously been authorized.{{cite news |title=FCC grants partial approval for Starlink second-generation constellation |url=https://spacenews.com/fcc-grants-partial-approval-for-starlink-second-generation-constellation/ |last=Foust |first=Jeff |work=SpaceNews |date=December 2, 2022 |access-date=December 4, 2022 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213164749/https://spacenews.com/fcc-grants-partial-approval-for-starlink-second-generation-constellation/ |url-status=live}}

In March 2023, the company reported that they were manufacturing six Starlink "v2 mini" satellites per day as well as thousands of users terminals. The v2 mini has Gen2 Starlink satellite features while being assembled in a smaller form factor than the larger Gen2 sats. The Gen2 satellites require the 9 meter (29.5 foot) diameter Starship in order to launch them. The Starlink business unit had a single cash-flow-positive quarter during 2022 and is expecting to be profitable in 2023.[https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/13/spacex-t-mobile-cell-service-tests-this-year.html SpaceX says it will test Starlink's satellite-to-cell service with T-Mobile this year] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314150753/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/13/spacex-t-mobile-cell-service-tests-this-year.html |date=March 14, 2023 }}, CNBC, March 13, 2023.

In May 2018, SpaceX estimated the total cost of designing, building and deploying the constellation would be at least US$10 billion. In January 2017, SpaceX expected annual revenue from Starlink to reach $12 billion by 2022 and exceed $30 billion by 2025. Starlink was at annual loss in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |date=September 13, 2023 |title=SpaceX projected 20 million Starlink users by 2022—it ended up with 1 million |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/09/spacex-projected-20-million-starlink-users-by-2022-it-ended-up-with-1-million/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119222305/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/09/spacex-projected-20-million-starlink-users-by-2022-it-ended-up-with-1-million/ |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |access-date=November 19, 2023 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}} Revenues from Starlink in 2022 were reportedly $1.4 billion accompanied by a net loss, with a small profit being reported by Musk starting in 2023.{{cite news|title=Starlink soars: SpaceX's satellite internet surprises analysts with $6.6 billion revenue projection |author=Sandra Erwin |date=May 9, 2024 |url=https://spacenews.com/starlink-soars-spacexs-satellite-internet-surprises-analysts-with-6-6-billion-revenue-projection/ |publisher=SpaceNews|access-date=March 22, 2025}}{{cite news|title=SpaceX and the categorical imperative to achieve low launch cost |author=Pierre Lionnet |date=June 7, 2024 |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-and-the-categorical-imperative-to-achieve-low-launch-cost/ |publisher=SpaceNews |access-date=March 22, 2025}}

Tensions between Brazil and Elon Musk's business ventures escalated in 2024 as the country's telecom regulator Anatel threatened to sanction Starlink after Brazil's top court upheld a ban on X. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva supported the decision, citing X's role in allegedly spreading hate and misinformation undermining Brazil's democracy. Judge Alexandre de Moraes had frozen Starlink's accounts, and Starlink refused to comply with an order to block domestic access to X until the freeze was lifted, risking its license to operate.{{cite news|last1=Novaes Magalhaes |first1=Luciana |last2=Brito |first2=Ricardo |title=Starlink emerges as fresh battleground between Musk, Brazil |date=3 September 2024 |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/starlink-tells-brazil-regulator-it-will-not-comply-with-x-suspension-2024-09-02/ |website=Reuters |access-date=4 September 2024}}

The Wall Street Journal reported in October 2024 that Musk had been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other high ranking Russian government officials since late 2022, discussing personal topics, business and geopolitical matters. The Journal reported that Putin had asked Musk to avoid activating his Starlink satellite system over Taiwan, to appease Chinese Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping. The communications were reported to be a closely held secret in government, given Musk's involvement in promoting the presidential candidacy of Donald Trump, and his security clearance to access classified government information. One person said no alerts were raised by the U.S. government, noting the dilemma of the government being dependent on Musk's technologies. Musk initially voiced support for Ukraine's defense against Russia's 2022 invasion by donating Starlink terminals, but made later decisions to limit Ukrainian access to Starlink, which coincided with Russian pressure in public and in private.{{cite news |last1=Grove |first1=Thomas |last2=Strobel |first2=Warren P. |last3=Viswanatha |first3=Aruna |last4=Lubold |first4=Gordon |last5=Schechner |first5=Sam |date=October 24, 2024 |title=Elon Musk's Secret Conversations With Vladimir Putin |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/musk-putin-secret-conversations-37e1c187?mod=hp_lead_pos1 |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 25, 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal}} In a November 2024 call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Musk said he will continue supporting Ukraine through Starlink.{{cite news |last1=Ravid |first1=Barak |title=Scoop: Elon Musk joined Trump's call with Zelensky |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/11/08/musk-trump-zelensky-ukraine-call |access-date=8 November 2024 |date=8 November 2024}}

SpaceX has asked its numerous Taiwanese suppliers to move production abroad citing geopolitical risk concerns.{{cite web |last1=Guarascio |first1=Francesco |last2=Vu |first2=Khanh |last3=Blanchard |first3=Ben |title=After SpaceX's requests, Taiwanese suppliers move manufacturing abroad, sources say |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/after-spacexs-requests-taiwanese-suppliers-move-manufacturing-abroad-sources-say-2024-11-05/ |website=reuters.com |date=November 7, 2024 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=7 November 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Irwin |first1=Kate |title=SpaceX Asked Starlink Suppliers to Leave Taiwan Amid Tensions With China |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/spacex-asked-starlink-suppliers-to-leave-taiwan |website=pcmag.com |date=November 6, 2024 |publisher=PC Magazine |access-date=7 November 2024}} This move was questioned by the Taiwanese government and resulted in significant anger from the Taiwanese public with citizens pointing out that Starlink was unavailable in Taiwan despite its suppliers underlying the technology and others calling for a boycott of Tesla products.{{cite web |last1=Davidson |first1=Helen |title=Anger in Taiwan over reports SpaceX asked suppliers to move abroad |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/07/space-x-taiwan-manufacturing-claims-elon-musk |website=The Guardian |date=November 7, 2024 |access-date=7 November 2024}}

In November 2024, SpaceX proposed a constellation of Starlink satellites around Mars, referred to as "Marslink". The proposed system would be capable of providing more than 4 Mbit/s of bandwidth between Earth and Mars as well as imaging services.{{cite news |last1=Kan |first1=Michael |title=SpaceX Pitches NASA on 'Marslink,' a Version of Starlink for the Red Planet |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/spacex-pitches-nasa-on-marslink-a-version-of-starlink-for-the-red-planet |access-date=8 November 2024 |date=7 November 2024}}

Starting in July 2024, SpaceX began conducting tests on Starlink in cooperation with the Romanian Ministry of National Defense and National Authority for Communications Administration and Regulation (ANCOM). These tests aim at demonstrating that the Equivalent Power Flux Density (EPFD) limit can be safely increased, thus improving the speed and coverage area of Starlink, without affecting classic, geostationary satellites. The results of these tests will be used to help change a rule set by the International Telecommunication Union in the 1990s regarding the limits of non-geostationary satellites.{{cite web|url=https://www.romania-insider.com/starlink-tests-romania-coverage-satellite-internet-coverage-2024|title=Starlink conducting tests in Romania to boost coverage of satellite internet coverage|first=Radu|last=Dumitrescu|website=romania-insider.com|date=1 October 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starlink-romania-tests/|title=SpaceX conducts Starlink tests in Romania to improve service|first=Maria|last=Merano|work=Teslarati|date=2 October 2024}}

Starlink was part of an investigation by USAID into sexual exploitation and abuse in Ukraine when USAID's Inspector General was fired by President Trump and all employees put on administrative leave. The USAID website was scrubbed of all information related to the Starlink probe.{{Cite web |last=Tangerman |first=Victor |date=2025-02-05 |title=Elon Musk Reportedly Has a Huge Conflict of Interest Motivating Him to Gut USAID |url=https://futurism.com/elon-musk-conflict-interest-shutting-down-usaid |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}

In March 2025 the director of the United States Department of Commerce's rural broadband program resigned criticizing undue emphasis on Starlink from the Trump administration.{{cite web |last1=Hendel |first1=John |title=Top broadband official exits Commerce Department with sharp Musk warning |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/16/official-exits-commerce-department-musk-warning-00232278 |website=politico.com |date=March 16, 2025 |publisher=Politico |access-date=17 March 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Kirchgaessner |first1=Stephanie |title=Trump administration poised to 'strand rural America with worse internet' to help Musk, official warns |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/17/trump-musk-starlink-rural-internet |website=The Guardian |date=March 17, 2025 |access-date=17 March 2025}}{{cite magazine |last1=Olmsted |first1=Edith |title=Outgoing Commerce Official Shreds Elon Musk's Starlink in Final Email |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/192819/commerce-official-elon-musk-starlink |website=newrepublic.com |publisher=The New Republic |access-date=17 March 2025}} Musk's involvement in politics has also been protested by a number of Starlink customers.{{cite web |last1=Quinn |first1=Ben |title='Deeply uncomfortable': UK Starlink users switch off over Musk's political machinations |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/16/deeply-uncomfortable-uk-starlink-users-switch-off-over-musks-political-machinations |website=The Guardian |date=March 16, 2025 |access-date=17 March 2025}} The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) installed a Starlink user terminal at the White House complex which raised conflict of interest concerns. In response the White House said that the terminal was donated by Starlink and approved by legal counsel and the United States Secret Service.{{cite web |last1=Pengelly |first1=Martin |title=Elon Musk's Starlink internet service installed in White House |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/18/musk-starlink-internet-white-house |website=The Guardian |date=March 18, 2025 |access-date=19 March 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Mac |first1=Ryan |last2=Sullivan |first2=Eileen |last3=Haberman |first3=Maggie |last4=Conger |first4=Kate |title=Elon Musk's Starlink Expands Across White House Complex |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/us/politics/elon-musk-starlink-white-house.html |website=The New York Times |date=March 18, 2025 |access-date=19 March 2025}} After the Trump administration launched a series of tariffs, the State Department pushed countries to approve Starlink. Several countries such as India granted regulatory approval to Starlink, hoping that supporting a company owned by Musk would help negotiations to avoid tariffs.{{Cite news |date=2025-05-07 |title=U.S. pushes nations facing tariffs to approve Musk's Starlink, cables show |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/05/07/elon-musk-starlink-trump-tariffs/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}

File:Number of subscribers up to Dec2024.png

Number of Starlink satellites and user [[median download speed (in Mbit/s)|thumb|upright=1.3]]

As of February 2025, Starlink reports the number of its customers{{efn|name=LackOfSubscriberDefinition| Starlink uses the words "customers", "subscribers", and "people" without providing the definitions}} worldwide as more than 5 million.

{{notelist}}

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Starlink provides satellite-based internet connectivity to underserved areas of the planet, as well as competitively priced service in more urbanized areas.{{Cite web |title=What is Starlink? |url=https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/Starlink |date=August 2022 |access-date=January 10, 2023 |website=Tech Target |language=en |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112183246/https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/Starlink |url-status=live}}

In the United States, Starlink charged, at launch, a one-time hardware fee of $599 for a user terminal and $120 per month for internet service at a fixed service address.{{cite web |author=McNally |first=Catherine |date=March 28, 2023 |title=SpaceX Starlink Satellite Internet Review 2023 |url=https://www.reviews.org/internet-service/spacex-starlink-satellite-internet-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401211928/https://www.reviews.org/internet-service/spacex-starlink-satellite-internet-review/ |archive-date=April 1, 2023 |access-date=April 1, 2023 |website=reviews.org}} An additional $25 per month allows the user terminal to move beyond a fixed location (Starlink For RVs) but with service speeds deprioritized compared to the fixed users in that area.{{cite web |title=Starlink's RV service lets users jump the line — for a price |url=https://spacenews.com/starlinks-rv-service-enables-lets-users-jump-the-line-for-a-price|access-date=May 24, 2022 |website=SpaceNews |date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=December 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213164750/https://spacenews.com/starlinks-rv-service-enables-lets-users-jump-the-line-for-a-price/|url-status=live}}{{cite tweet |last=Musk |first=Elon |author-link=Elon Musk |user=elonmusk |number=1382842277719003136 |date=April 15, 2021 |title=@Erdayastronaut @thesheetztweetz Yeah, should be fully mobile later this year, so you can move it anywhere or use it on an RV or truck in motion. We need a few more satellite launches to achieve compete coverage & some key software upgrades. |language=en |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018231510/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1382842277719003136 |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |url-status=live}} Fixed users are told to expect typical throughput of "50 to 150 Mbit/s and latency from 20 to 40 ms", a study found users averaged download speeds of 90.55 Mbit/s in the first quarter of 2022, but dropped to 62.5 Mbit/s in the second quarter. A higher performance version of the service (Starlink Business) advertises speeds of 150 to 500 Mbit/s in exchange for a more costly $2,500 user terminal and a $500 monthly service fee. Another service called Starlink Maritime became available in July 2022 providing internet access on the open ocean, with speeds of 350 Mbit/s, requiring purchase of a maritime-grade $10,000 user terminal and a $5,000 monthly service fee.{{Cite web |last=Dunphy |first=Chris |date=July 7, 2022 |title=Starlink For Boats! – SpaceX Announces Starlink Maritime, with Eye-Popping Price |url=https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/starlink-for-boats-spacex-announces-starlink-maritime-with-eye-popping-price/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927225947/https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/starlink-for-boats-spacex-announces-starlink-maritime-with-eye-popping-price/ |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |website=Mobile Internet Resource Center |language=en-US}}

Sales are capped to a few hundred fixed users per 20 km (10 mile) "service cell area" due to limited wireless capacity. Starlink alternatively offers a Best Effort service tier allowing homes in capped areas to receive the current unused bandwidth of their cell while they are on the waiting list for more prioritized service. The price and equipment are the same as the residential service at $110 per month.{{Cite web |title=Help Center |url=https://support.starlink.com/ |access-date=September 27, 2022 |website=support.starlink.com |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927232738/https://support.starlink.com/ |url-status=live}} To improve the service quality in densely populated areas, Starlink introduced a monthly 1 TB data cap for all non-business users which was enforced starting in 2023.{{Cite web |last=Heming |first=Dan |date=August 24, 2022 |title=Starlink Introduces Best Effort Service |url=https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/starlink-introduces-best-effort-service/ |access-date=September 27, 2022 |website=Mobile Internet Resource Center |language=en-US |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927232740/https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/starlink-introduces-best-effort-service/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/11/starlink-to-cap-users-at-1tb-of-high-speed-data-unless-they-pay-extra/ |title=Starlink announces 1 TB monthly cap, users who go over will get slower speeds |date=November 8, 2022|access-date=January 1, 2023 |publisher=ARSTechnica|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101213343/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/11/starlink-to-cap-users-at-1tb-of-high-speed-data-unless-they-pay-extra/amp/|url-status=live}}

In August 2022, SpaceX lowered monthly service costs for users in select countries.{{Cite web |last=Harper |first=Zachary |date=October 9, 2022 |title=Why is Starlink so Expensive – Will the Price Drop |url=https://turbospeedwifi.com/why-is-starlink-so-expensive-will-the-price-drop/ |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=Turbo Speed Wifi |language=en-US |archive-date=October 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026153715/https://turbospeedwifi.com/why-is-starlink-so-expensive-will-the-price-drop/ |url-status=live}} For example, users in Brazil and Chile saw monthly fee decreases of about 50%.{{Cite web |last=Ricker |first=Thomas |date=August 25, 2022 |title=Starlink lowers monthly internet prices by 50 percent for some |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/8/25/23321262/starlink-discount-price-drop |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=October 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026153706/https://www.theverge.com/2022/8/25/23321262/starlink-discount-price-drop |url-status=live}}

According to internet analysis company Ookla, Starlink speeds degraded during the first half of 2022 as more customers signed up for the service. SpaceX has said that Starlink speeds will improve as more satellites are deployed.{{Cite web |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |date=September 23, 2022 |title=Starlink is getting a lot slower as more people use it, speed tests show |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/09/ookla-starlinks-median-us-download-speed-fell-nearly-30mbps-in-q2-2022/ |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926062132/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/09/ookla-starlinks-median-us-download-speed-fell-nearly-30mbps-in-q2-2022/ |url-status=live}}

In September 2023, satellite operator SES announced a satellite internet service for cruise lines using both the Starlink satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and SES' own O3b mPOWER satellite constellation in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). Integrated, sold and delivered by SES, the SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink service claims to combine the best features of LEO and MEO orbits to provide high-speed, secure connectivity at up to 3 Gbit/s per ship, to cruise ships anywhere in the world. In February 2024, SES announced that Virgin Voyages will be the first cruise line to deploy the service.[https://www.satellitetoday.com/mobility/2023/09/13/ses-teams-up-with-starlink-to-package-connectivity-for-the-cruise-segment/ SES Teams Up with Starlink to Package Connectivity for the Cruise Segment] Via Satellite. September 13, 2023. Accessed February 27, 2024{{cite press release |publisher=SES |date=September 13, 2023 |url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-introduces-cruise-industrys-first-integrated-meo-leo-service-starlink |title=SES Introduces Cruise Industry's First Integrated MEO-LEO Service with Starlink|access-date=February 27, 2024}}[https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/02/virgin-voyages-rolls-out-new-improved-internet-package-with-ses/ Virgin Voyages Rolls Out New Improved Internet Package with SES] Cruise Industry News. February 26, 2024. Accessed February 27, 2024

For future service, T-Mobile US and SpaceX are partnering to add satellite cellular service capability to Starlink satellites. It will provide dead-zone cell phone coverage across the US using the existing midband PCS spectrum owned by T-Mobile.{{cite news |url=https://www.lightreading.com/5g/t-mobile-is-winning-race-to-100mhz-for-midband-5g/a/d-id/773516 |title=T-Mobile is winning the race to 100 MHz for midband 5G |newspaper=Light Reading |date=November 15, 2021 |access-date=August 25, 2022 |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602044824/https://www.lightreading.com/5g/t-mobile-is-winning-race-to-100mhz-for-midband-5g/a/d-id/773516 |url-status=live}} Cell coverage will begin with text messaging and expand to include voice and limited data services later, with testing beginning in 2024.{{cite news |last1=Rainbow |first1=Jason |title=SpaceX deploys direct-to-smartphone satellites in first launch of 2024 |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-deploys-direct-to-smartphone-satellites-in-first-launch-of-2024/ |access-date=January 3, 2024 |work=SpaceNews |publisher=Pocket Ventures, LLC. |date=January 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20240103180118/https://spacenews.com/spacex-deploys-direct-to-smartphone-satellites-in-first-launch-of-2024/ |archive-date=January 3, 2024 |location=Arlington, Virginia |url-status=live}} T-Mobile plans to connect to Starlink satellites via existing 4G LTE mobile devices, unlike previous generations of satellite phones, which used specialized radios, modems, and antennas to connect to satellites in higher orbits.{{cite web |last=Kolodny |first=Lora |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/25/spacex-and-t-mobile-team-up-to-use-starlink-satellites.html |title=SpaceX and T-Mobile team up to use Starlink satellites to 'end mobile dead zones' |work=CNBC |date=August 25, 2022 |access-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826004053/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/25/spacex-and-t-mobile-team-up-to-use-starlink-satellites.html |url-status=live}} Bandwidth will be limited to 2 to 4 megabits per second total, split across a very large cell coverage area, which would be limited to thousands of voice calls or millions of text messages simultaneously in a coverage area. The size of a single coverage cell has not yet been publicly released.{{cite news |title=Forget 5G wireless, SpaceX and T-Mobile want to offer Zero-G coverage |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/08/forget-5g-wireless-spacex-and-t-mobile-want-to-offer-zero-g-coverage/ |last=Berger |first=Eric |work=Ars Technica |date=August 25, 2022 |access-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826034319/https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/08/forget-5g-wireless-spacex-and-t-mobile-want-to-offer-zero-g-coverage/ |url-status=live}}

The first six cell phone capable satellites launched on January 2, 2024.

Rogers Communications, in April 2023, signed an agreement with SpaceX for using Starlink for satellite-to-phone services in Canada.{{cite news |last1=Hudes |first1=Sammy |title=Rogers partners with SpaceX to boost remote connectivity as telecom giant posts 30% profit jump |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/rogers-earnings-1.6823409 |access-date=January 3, 2024 |work=CBC News |agency=The Canadian Press |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=April 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20240103190134/https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/rogers-earnings-1.6823409 |archive-date=January 3, 2024 |location=Toronto |url-status=live}} Also in April 2023, One NZ (formerly Vodafone New Zealand) announced that they would be partnering with SpaceX's Starlink to provide 100% mobile network coverage over New Zealand. SMS text service is expected to begin in 2024, with voice and data functionality in 2025.{{Cite web |title=SpaceX |url=https://one.nz/why-choose-us/spacex/ |access-date=July 27, 2023 |website=One NZ |language=en |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727070208/https://one.nz/why-choose-us/spacex/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Pullar-Strecker |first=Tom |date=April 2, 2023 |title=One NZ inks deal with SpaceX to provide 100% mobile coverage of NZ |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/131664617/one-nz-inks-deal-with-spacex-to-provide-100-mobile-coverage-of-nz |access-date=July 27, 2023 |website=Stuff |language=en |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727070157/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/131664617/one-nz-inks-deal-with-spacex-to-provide-100-mobile-coverage-of-nz |url-status=live}} In July 2023, Optus in Australia announced a similar partnership.{{Cite web |title=Together Optus and SpaceX Plan to Cover 100% of Australia |url=https://www.optus.com.au/about/media-centre/media-releases/2023/07/together-optus-and-spacex-plan-to-cover-100-percent-of-australia |access-date=August 6, 2023 |archive-date=August 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806004913/https://www.optus.com.au/about/media-centre/media-releases/2023/07/together-optus-and-spacex-plan-to-cover-100-percent-of-australia |url-status=live}}

On January 8, 2024, it was confirmed by SpaceX that they had successfully tested text messaging using the new Direct-to-Cell capability on T-Mobile's network.{{Cite web |url=https://api.starlink.com/public-files/DIRECT_TO_CELL_FIRST_TEXT_UPDATE.pdf |title=SpaceX Sends First Text Messages Via Its Newly Launched Direct to Cell Satellites|access-date=January 10, 2024|archive-date=January 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110210637/https://api.starlink.com/public-files/DIRECT_TO_CELL_FIRST_TEXT_UPDATE.pdf|url-status=live}}{{anchor|Military capabilities}}

{{Main|SpaceX Starshield}}

In December 2022, SpaceX announced Starshield, a separate Starlink service designed for government entities and military agencies.{{Cite web |last=Erwin |first=Sandra |date=January 19, 2023 |title=With Starshield, SpaceX readies for battle |url=https://spacenews.com/with-starshield-spacex-readies-for-battle/ |access-date=September 10, 2023 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223210702/https://spacenews.com/with-starshield-spacex-readies-for-battle/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=SpaceX – Starshield |url=https://www.spacex.com/starshield/|access-date=September 10, 2023 |website=www.spacex.com|archive-date=December 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214061704/https://www.spacex.com/starshield/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |date=December 5, 2022 |title=SpaceX unveils 'Starshield,' a military variation of Starlink satellites |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/05/spacex-unveils-starshield-a-military-variation-of-starlink-satellites.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928075321/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/05/spacex-unveils-starshield-a-military-variation-of-starlink-satellites.html |archive-date=September 28, 2023 |access-date=September 21, 2023 |website=CNBC |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Team |first=ESD Editorial |date=May 30, 2023 |title=Ukraine's Favourite Dish |url=https://euro-sd.com/2023/05/articles/30035/ukraines-favourite-dish/ |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=euro-sd.com |language=en-US |archive-date=September 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918163332/https://euro-sd.com/2023/05/articles/30035/ukraines-favourite-dish/ |url-status=live}} Starshield enables the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to own or lease Starshield satellites for partners and allies. Cybernews remarked that Starshield was first announced in late 2022, when Starlink's presence in Ukraine showed the importance it can have in modern warfare.{{Cite web |date=November 22, 2023 |title=SpaceX's Starshield means Starlink has become a juggernaut |url=https://cybernews.com/tech/starshield-spacex-military-commitment-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204101825/https://cybernews.com/tech/starshield-spacex-military-commitment-interview/ |archive-date=December 4, 2023}} While Starlink had not been adapted for military use, Starshield has the usual requirements for mobile military systems like encryption and anti-jam capabilities. Elon Musk stated that "Starlink needs to be a civilian network, not a participant to combat. Starshield will be owned by the US government and controlled by DoD Space Force. This is the right order of things."{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Jon |date=September 28, 2023 |title=SpaceX inks first Space Force deal for government-focused Starshield satellite network |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/28/23894239/spacex-starshield-satellite-network-space-force-pentagon-deal |access-date=January 5, 2024 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=January 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105035954/https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/28/23894239/spacex-starshield-satellite-network-space-force-pentagon-deal |url-status=live}}

Starshield satellites are advertised as capable of integrating a wide variety of payloads. Starshield satellites will be compatible with, and interconnect to, the existing commercial Starlink satellites via optical inter-satellite links.{{cite web |url=https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/starshield |title=SpaceX Releases 'Starshield' Satellite Services Designed for Government Use to Support National Security |access-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203142404/https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/starshield |url-status=live}}

In January 2022, SpaceX deployed four national security satellites for the U.S. government on their Transporter-3 rideshare mission.{{cite web |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/usa-320.htm |title=USA 320, ..., 323, 328, ..., 331 |access-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402205406/https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/usa-320.htm |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-space-exploration-spacex-satellites-idUKKBN26Q3A5 |title=Musk's SpaceX wins Pentagon award for missile tracking satellites |newspaper=Reuters |date=October 5, 2020 |access-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-date=December 11, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211175715/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-space-exploration-spacex-satellites-idUKKBN26Q3A5 |url-status=live}} In the same year they launched another group of four U.S. satellites with an on-orbit spare Globalstar FM-15 satellite in June.{{cite tweet |number=1538960051414646796 |user=planet4589 |author=Jonathan McDowell |title=Space-Track confirms the presence of four secret payloads on the Globalstar Falcon 9 launch – USA 328 to USA 331, catalog 52889 to 52892, orbital data not available. One piece of debris, probably a Starlink-style tension rod? |date=June 20, 2022}}{{cite tweet |number=1539044005564100609 |user=cgbassa |title=The four classified satellites launched together with Globalstar FM15 on a Falcon 9 rocket yesterday have been detected in a ~535 km orbit at 53 deg inclination. |date=June 21, 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/06/spacex-globalstar-falcon-9/ |title=SpaceX launches Globalstar satellite on mysterious Falcon 9 mission |publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com |date=June 18, 2022 |access-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619095656/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/06/spacex-globalstar-falcon-9/ |url-status=live}}

In September 2023, the Starshield program received its first contract from the U.S. Space Force to provide customized satellite communications for the military.{{Cite news |date=September 27, 2023 |title=Starlink's Starshield wins contract with US Space Force |language=en |url=https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starshield-us-space-force/ |access-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928045753/https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starshield-us-space-force/ |url-status=live}} This is under the Space Force's new "Proliferated Low Earth Orbit" program for LEO satellites, where Space Force will allocate up to $900 million worth of contracts over the next 10 years. Although 16 vendors are competing for awards, the SpaceX contract is the only one to have been issued to date.[https://spacenews.com/spacex-providing-starlink-services-to-dod-under-unique-terms-and-conditions/ SpaceX providing Starlink services to DoD under 'unique terms and conditions'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213165258/https://spacenews.com/spacex-providing-starlink-services-to-dod-under-unique-terms-and-conditions/ |date=December 13, 2023 }}, SpaceNews, October 3, 2023. The one-year Starshield contract was awarded on September 1, 2023. The contract is expected to support 54 mission partners across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

File:SpaceX CEO Visits Local Commands (190415-F-ZZ999-371).jpg meet in April 2019.]]

SpaceX also designs, builds, and launches customized military satellites based on variants of the Starlink satellite bus, with the largest publicly known customer being the Space Development Agency (SDA).

SDA accelerates development of missile defense capabilities, primarily via observation platforms, using industry-procured low-cost low Earth orbit satellite platforms.{{cite web |last=Erwin |first=Sandra |url=https://spacenews.com/space-development-agency-a-huge-win-for-griffin-in-his-war-against-the-status-quo/ |title=Space Development Agency a huge win for Griffin in his war against the status quo |date=April 21, 2019|access-date=January 1, 2020|archive-date=December 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213164751/https://spacenews.com/space-development-agency-a-huge-win-for-griffin-in-his-war-against-the-status-quo/|url-status=live}}

In October 2020, SDA awarded SpaceX an initial $150 million dual-use contract to develop 4 satellites to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.{{cite web |last=Erwin |first=Sandra |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-l3harris-win-space-development-agency-contracts-to-build-missile-warning-satellites/ |title=L3Harris, SpaceX win Space Development Agency contracts to build missile-warning satellites |publisher=SpaceNews |date=October 5, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2021|archive-date=June 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627212729/https://spacenews.com/spacex-l3harris-win-space-development-agency-contracts-to-build-missile-warning-satellites/|url-status=live}} The first batch of satellites were originally scheduled to launch September 2022 to form part of the Tracking Layer Tranche 0 of the U.S. Space Force's National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA), a network of satellites performing various roles including missile tracking.{{cite web |last=Machi |first=Vivienne |url=https://www.sda.mil/us-military-places-a-bet-on-leo-for-space-security/ |title=US Military Places a Bet on LEO for Space Security |publisher=Space Development Agency |date=June 1, 2021|access-date=December 1, 2021|archive-date=December 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205053935/https://www.sda.mil/us-military-places-a-bet-on-leo-for-space-security/|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}} The launch schedule slipped multiple times but eventually launched in April 2023.{{cite web |last=Erwin |first=Sandra |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-10-satellites-for-u-s-space-development-agency/ |title=SpaceX launches 10 satellites for U.S. Space Development Agency |date=April 2, 2022|access-date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=December 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213164750/https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-10-satellites-for-u-s-space-development-agency/|url-status=live}}Sandra Erwin [https://spacenews.com/space-development-agencys-first-launch-slips-to-march-due-to-satellite-glitch/ (9 Dec 2022) Space Development Agency's first launch slips to March due to satellite glitch]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213164750/https://spacenews.com/space-development-agencys-first-launch-slips-to-march-due-to-satellite-glitch/|date=December 13, 2023}}.

In 2020, SpaceX hired retired four-star general Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy who, according to some sources, is associated with Starlink's military satellite development, and according to one source, is listed as a "chief operating officer" at SpaceX.{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-once-a-washington-outsider-courts-military-business-11604517046 |title=Elon Musk's SpaceX, Once a Washington Outsider, Courts Military Business |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=November 4, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2021|archive-date=December 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206031813/https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-once-a-washington-outsider-courts-military-business-11604517046|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.govconwire.com/2021/10/ndia-appoints-16-members-to-board/ |title=NDIA Appoints 16 Members to Board |publisher=GovCon Wire |date=October 5, 2021|access-date=December 1, 2021|archive-date=December 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205053936/https://www.govconwire.com/2021/10/ndia-appoints-16-members-to-board/|url-status=live}} While still on active duty, O'Shaughnessy advocated before the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services for a layered capability with lethal follow-on that incorporates machine learning and artificial intelligence to gather and act upon sensor data quickly.{{cite web |url=https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/OShaughnessy_02-13-20.pdf |title=Statement of General Terrence J. O'Shaugnessy before the Senate Armed Services Committee |publisher=U.S. Senate |date=February 13, 2020|access-date=November 1, 2022|archive-date=November 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104202920/https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/OShaughnessy_02-13-20.pdf|url-status=live}}

SpaceX was not awarded a contract for the larger Tranche 1, with awards going to York Space Systems, Lockheed Martin Space, and Northrop Grumman Space Systems.{{Cite web |title=Space Development Agency Makes Awards for 126 Satellites to Build Tranche 1 Transport Laye |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2948229/space-development-agency-makes-awards-for-126-satellites-to-build-tranche-1-tra/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defense.gov%2FNews%2FReleases%2FRelease%2FArticle%2F2948229%2Fspace-development-agency-makes-awards-for-126-satellites-to-build-tranche-1-tra%2F |access-date=August 23, 2023 |website=U.S. Department of Defense |language=en-US}}

In 2019, tests by the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) demonstrated a 610 Mbit/s data link through Starlink to a Beechcraft C-12 Huron aircraft in flight.{{cite news |last=Erwin |first=Sandra |date=October 22, 2019 |title=SpaceX plans to start offering Starlink broadband services in 2020 |publisher=SpaceNews |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-plans-to-start-offering-starlink-broadband-services-in-2020/|url-status=live|access-date=February 17, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191023131758/https://spacenews.com/spacex-plans-to-start-offering-starlink-broadband-services-in-2020/|archive-date=October 23, 2019}} Additionally, in late 2019, the United States Air Force successfully tested a connection with Starlink on an AC-130 Gunship.{{cite news |last=Insinna |first=Valerie |date=January 22, 2020 |title=The Air Force tested its Advanced Battle Management System. Here's what worked, and what didn't. |publisher=DefenseNews |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/01/22/the-us-air-force-tested-its-advanced-battle-management-system-heres-what-worked-and-what-didnt/|url-status=live|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200128115330/https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/01/22/the-us-air-force-tested-its-advanced-battle-management-system-heres-what-worked-and-what-didnt/|archive-date=January 28, 2020}}

In 2020, the Air Force used Starlink in support of its Advanced Battlefield management system during a live-fire exercise. They demonstrated Starlink connected to a "variety of air and terrestrial assets" including the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.{{cite news |last=Rich |first=Gillian |date=September 23, 2020 |title=SpaceX Starlink Impresses Air Force Weapons Buyer In Big Live-Fire Exercise |publisher=Investors |url=https://www.investors.com/news/spacex-starlink-impressed-air-force-in-big-live-fire-exercise/|url-status=live|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160317/https://www.investors.com/news/spacex-starlink-impressed-air-force-in-big-live-fire-exercise/|archive-date=November 17, 2020}}

Expert on battlefield communications Thomas Wellington has argued that Starlink signals, because they use narrow focused beams, are less vulnerable to interference and jamming by the enemy in wartime than satellites flying in higher orbits.{{Cite news |title=How Elon Musk's satellites have saved Ukraine and changed warfare |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/briefing/2023/01/05/how-elon-musks-satellites-have-saved-ukraine-and-changed-warfare |access-date=June 6, 2023 |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=September 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923091659/https://www.economist.com/briefing/2023/01/05/how-elon-musks-satellites-have-saved-ukraine-and-changed-warfare |url-status=live}}

In May 2022, Chinese military researchers published an article in a peer-reviewed journal describing a strategy for destroying the Starlink constellation if they threaten national security.{{cite web |author=Chen |first=Stephen |date=May 25, 2022 |title=China military must be able to destroy Elon Musk's Starlink satellites if they threaten national security: scientists |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3178939/china-military-needs-defence-against-potential-starlink-threat |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615113514/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3178939/china-military-needs-defence-against-potential-starlink-threat |archive-date=June 15, 2022 |access-date=June 18, 2022}}{{cite journal |url=https://www.xdfyjs.cn/EN/10.3969/j.issn.1009-086x.2022.02.002 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526210244/https://www.xdfyjs.cn/EN/10.3969/j.issn.1009-086x.2022.02.002 | archive-date=May 26, 2022 |title=The Development Status of Starlink and Its Countermeasures |first1=Yuan-zhen |last1=REN |first2=Sheng |last2=JIN |first3=Yao-bing |last3=LU |first4=Hong-wei |last4=GAO |first5=Shu-yan |last5=SUN |journal=Modern Defense Technology |year=2022 |volume=50 |issue=2 |pages=11–17 |doi=10.3969/j.issn.1009-086x}}{{cite web |author=Rabie |first=Passant |date=May 27, 2022 |title=Chinese Researchers Publish Strategy to Destroy Elon Musk's Starlink |url=https://gizmodo.com/spacex-starlink-china-military-1848982845 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618200540/https://gizmodo.com/spacex-starlink-china-military-1848982845 |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |access-date=June 18, 2022}} The researchers specifically highlight concerns with reported Starlink military capabilities. Musk has declared Starlink is meant for peaceful use and has suggested Starlink could enforce peace by taking strategic initiative.{{cite tweet |author=Elon Musk |user=elonmusk |number=1571154307759603718 |title=Starlink is meant for peaceful use only... to help mend the fault in our stars}} Russian officials including the head of Russia's space agency Dmitry Rogozin, have warned Elon Musk and criticized Starlink, including warning that Starlink could become a legitimate military target in the future.{{Cite news |date=October 27, 2022 |title=Russia warns West: We can target your commercial satellites |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-says-wests-commercial-satellites-could-be-targets-2022-10-27/ |access-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-date=October 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027070217/https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-says-wests-commercial-satellites-could-be-targets-2022-10-27/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |author=Browne |first=Ed |date=September 16, 2022 |title=Fact Check: Did Kremlin Threaten to Destroy Starlink Satellites? |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-starlink-war-ukraine-satellite-1743675 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919011339/https://www.newsweek.com/russia-starlink-war-ukraine-satellite-1743675 |archive-date=September 19, 2022 |access-date=September 18, 2022 |website=Newsweek}}

File:Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko with a Starlink user terminal.jpg, Mayor of Kyiv, and his brother Wladimir Klitschko with Starlink terminals shipped to Kyiv during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]]

{{Main|Starlink in the Russo-Ukrainian War}}

Starlink was activated during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, after a request from the Ukrainian government.{{cite web |last1=Reese |first1=Isaac |title=Can Elon Musk's Starlink Keep Ukraine Online? |url=https://reason.com/video/2022/03/05/can-elon-musks-starlink-keep-ukraine-online/ |website=reason.com |date=March 5, 2022 |publisher=Reason |access-date=March 14, 2022 |archive-date=March 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325060536/https://reason.com/video/2022/03/05/can-elon-musks-starlink-keep-ukraine-online/ |url-status=live}}[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/starlink-service-ukraine-elon-musk-b2024184.html Elon Musk says SpaceX's Starlink satellites active over Ukraine after request from embattled country's leaders] {{Webarchive|url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220227/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/starlink-service-ukraine-elon-musk-b2024184.html |date=February 27, 2022 }}, The Independent (February 26, 2022) Ukraine's military and government rapidly became dependent on Starlink to maintain Internet access.{{cite web |date=February 26, 2022 |title=@elonmusk while you try to colonize Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand |url=https://twitter.com/fedorovmykhailo/status/1497543633293266944 |work=Twitter |access-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-date=October 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014055314/https://twitter.com/FedorovMykhailo/status/1497543633293266944 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Sabbagh |first=Dan |date=February 9, 2023 |title=Fury in Ukraine as Elon Musk's SpaceX limits Starlink use for drones |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/09/zelenskiy-aide-takes-aim-at-curbs-on-ukraine-use-of-starlink-to-pilot-drones-elon-musk |access-date=May 20, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=March 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309133527/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/09/zelenskiy-aide-takes-aim-at-curbs-on-ukraine-use-of-starlink-to-pilot-drones-elon-musk |url-status=live}} Starlink is used by Ukraine for communication, such as keeping in touch with the outside world and keeping the energy infrastructure working.{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2022 |title=How Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet keeps Ukraine online |url=https://kyivindependent.com/how-elon-musks-starlink-satellite-internet-keeps-ukraine-online/ |access-date=June 6, 2023 |website=The Kyiv Independent |language=en |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606202044/https://kyivindependent.com/how-elon-musks-starlink-satellite-internet-keeps-ukraine-online/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Bajak |first1=Frank |date=February 9, 2023 |title=Musk deputy's words on Starlink 'weaponization' vex Ukraine |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-elon-musk-spacex-technology-business-c79c81ff4e6a09f4a185e627dad858fa |access-date=April 28, 2023 |website=The Associated Press |archive-date=April 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428021116/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-elon-musk-spacex-technology-business-c79c81ff4e6a09f4a185e627dad858fa |url-status=live}}

The service is also notably used for warfare. Starlink is used for connecting combat drones, naval drones, artillery fire coordination systems and attacks on Russian positions.{{cite web |title=Krieg in der Ukraine: Die Erfolgsgeschichte der ukrainischen Artillerie |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzAl29Gl9MA |website=YouTube |date=May 20, 2022 |access-date=June 19, 2022 |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619184216/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzAl29Gl9MA |url-status=live}} SpaceX has expressed reservations about the offensive use of Starlink by Ukraine beyond military communications and restricted Starlink communication technology for military use on weapon systems,{{cite news |last=Sutton |first=H. I. |date=February 15, 2023 |title=Starlink Limits Ukraine's Maritime Drones At Time Of New Russian Threat |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/02/starlink-limits-ukraines-maritime-drones-at-time-of-new-russian-threat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215103901/https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/02/starlink-limits-ukraines-maritime-drones-at-time-of-new-russian-threat/ |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |access-date=February 15, 2023 |work=Naval News}} but has kept most of the service online.{{Cite news |last=Hern |first=Alex |date=October 16, 2022 |title=Elon Musk says SpaceX will keep funding Starlink internet in Ukraine |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/15/the-hell-with-it-elon-musk-says-spacex-will-fund-starlink-internet-in-ukraine |access-date=June 6, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=October 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024192858/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/15/the-hell-with-it-elon-musk-says-spacex-will-fund-starlink-internet-in-ukraine |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Capaccio |first=Anthony |title=Elon Musk's SpaceX Wins Pentagon Deal for Starlink in Ukraine |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-01/musk-s-spacex-wins-pentagon-deal-for-its-starlink-in-ukraine |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601201423/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-01/musk-s-spacex-wins-pentagon-deal-for-its-starlink-in-ukraine |url-status=live}} Its use in attacking Russian targets has been criticized by the Kremlin.{{cite news |title="Steven Seagal is calling" – circus on Russian television (Break the Fake) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pJQT4V91i8 |agency=YouTube |publisher=TVP World |date=February 3, 2023 |access-date=February 10, 2023 |archive-date=February 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210124414/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pJQT4V91i8 |url-status=live}}

Musk has warned that the service was costing $20 million per month, and a Ukrainian official estimated SpaceX's contributions as over $100 million. In June 2023, the United States Department of Defense signed a contract with SpaceX to finance Starlink use in Ukraine.{{Cite news |last1=Stone |first1=Mike |last2=Roulette |first2=Joey |date=June 1, 2023 |title=SpaceX's Starlink wins Pentagon contract for satellite services to Ukraine |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/pentagon-buys-starlink-ukraine-statement-2023-06-01/ |access-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601190826/https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/pentagon-buys-starlink-ukraine-statement-2023-06-01/ |url-status=live}}

In February 2025, U.S. negotiators Scott Bessent and Keith Kellogg pressured Ukraine to grant access to its critical minerals by warning of a potential Starlink shutdown, a service crucial to its military operations, as per three sources familiar with the matter. The issue surfaced after Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected a U.S. proposal for mineral rights in exchange for wartime aid. While Musk denied the claims, Reuters stood by its report. Meanwhile, Donald Trump pushed Ukraine for U.S. access, criticizing Zelenskiy after he dismissed Trump’s stance as Russian-influenced.{{cite news|last1=Shalal |first1=Andrea |last2=Roulette |first2=Joey |title=Exclusive: US could cut Ukraine's access to Starlink internet services over minerals, say sources |date=22 February 2025 |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/us-could-cut-ukraines-access-starlink-internet-services-over-minerals-say-2025-02-22/ |website=Reuters |access-date=23 February 2025}} Three days after the February 28, 2025, meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy in the White House the U.S. suspended all military aid and a day later also intelligence to Ukraine.{{Cite news |date=2025-03-06 |title=US cuts intelligence sharing for Ukraine, adding pressure for Russia peace deal |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us-cuts-off-intelligence-sharing-with-ukraine-ft-reports-2025-03-05/ |work=Reuters}}

In October 2023 after the Gaza war started, users shared the hashtag #starlinkforgaza on Elon Musk's social network X (formerly Twitter), demanding he activate Starlink in Gaza after Internet service in the region was lost.{{Cite web |date=October 28, 2023 |title='Starlink Internet For Gaza': Netizens Ask Elon Musk For Help Amid Israel Strikes |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/world/starlink-internet-for-gaza-netizens-ask-elon-musk-for-help-amid-israel-strikes-article-104764695 |access-date=October 27, 2023 |website=TimesNow |language=en |archive-date=October 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027215148/https://www.timesnownews.com/world/starlink-internet-for-gaza-netizens-ask-elon-musk-for-help-amid-israel-strikes-article-104764695 |url-status=live}} Musk answered that Starlink connectivity would be provided for aid groups in Gaza.{{Cite news |last1=Rose |first1=Emily |last2=Kaur |first2=Baranjot |date=October 28, 2023 |title=Musk says Starlink will provide Gaza connectivity for aid groups |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/musk-says-starlink-provide-connectivity-gaza-through-aid-organizations-2023-10-28/ |access-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101201335/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/musk-says-starlink-provide-connectivity-gaza-through-aid-organizations-2023-10-28/ |url-status=live}} At the end of November, Musk said the Starlink service would only be provided for Gaza with the approval of the government of Israel.{{cite web |url=https://www.space.com/elon-musk-israel-starlink-gaza |date=November 29, 2023 |access-date=December 2, 2023 |title=Elon Musk, Israel agree on use of SpaceX Starlink satellite internet in Gaza |website=Space.com |archive-date=November 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231130030058/https://www.space.com/elon-musk-israel-starlink-gaza |url-status=live}}

The Associated Press reported in 2023 that Brazilian organized criminal groups were making heavy use of Starlink in exploiting remote regions of the Amazon rainforest.{{cite web |last1=Maisonnave |first1=Fabiano |title=Musk brought internet to Brazil's Amazon. Criminals love it. |url=https://apnews.com/article/amazon-musk-starlink-gold-mining-yanomami-7ab40c14375a9f1bb691a809dcc843b4 |website=apnews.com |date=March 16, 2023 |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=24 March 2025}}

According to Wired, Starlink supplies key support to scam centers in Southeast Asia with "criminals running multibillion-dollar empires across Southeast Asia appear to be widely using the satellite internet network." Wired identified more than one hundred Starlink devices in use at just one center, KK Park in Myanmar.{{cite magazine |last1=Burgess |first1=Matt |title=Elon Musk's Starlink Is Keeping Modern Slavery Compounds Online |url=https://www.wired.com/story/starlink-scam-compounds/ |website=wired.com |publisher=Wired |access-date=8 March 2025}}

[[File:Starlink availability map by country.svg|thumb|upright=1.8|alt=Starlink availability, October 2024|

Starlink availability, October 2024

----

{{legend|#0ea817|Active}}

{{legend|#0d00f2|Active without approval}}

{{legend|#eade15|Approved and pending activation}}

{{legend|#e0e0e0|Not covered}}

]]

In order to offer satellite services in any nation-state, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) regulations and long-standing international treaties require that landing rights be granted by each country jurisdiction, and within a country, by the national communications regulators. As a result, even though the Starlink network has near-global reach at latitudes below approximately 60°, broadband services can only be provided in 40 countries as of September 2022. SpaceX can also have business operation and economic considerations that may make a difference in which countries Starlink service is offered, in which order, and how soon. For example, SpaceX formally requested authorization for Canada only in June 2020,{{cite news |date=June 19, 2020 |title=Elon Musk's company SpaceX applies to offer high-speed Internet service to Canadians |publisher=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/spacex-high-speed-internet-1.5618918 |url-status=live |access-date=July 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160154/https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/spacex-high-speed-internet-1.5618918 |archive-date=November 17, 2020}} the Canadian regulatory authority approved it in November 2020, and SpaceX rolled out service two months later, in January 2021. As of September 2022, Starlink services were on offer in 40 countries, with applications pending regulatory approval in many more.{{cite tweet |last=Musk |first=Elon |author-link=Elon Musk |user=elonmusk |number=1429924523822829571 |date=August 23, 2021 |title=Our license applications are pending in many more countries. Hoping to serve Earth soon! |language=en |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204034307/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1429924523822829571 |archive-date=February 4, 2022 |url-status=live}}

File:003 Starlink satellites passing over the Swiss night sky as seen from Mürren Video by Giles Laurent.webm]]

Canada was the first outside country to approve the service with the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada announcing regulatory approval for the Starlink low Earth orbit satellite constellation on November 6, 2020.{{cite tweet |author=ISED |author-link=ISED |user=ISED_CA |number=1324790429947174913 |date=November 6, 2020 |title=.@SpaceX is joining the effort to help get Canadians connected to high-speed Internet! Regulatory approval for the @SpaceXStarlink low Earth orbit satellite constellation has been granted! |language=en |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104021502/https://twitter.com/ised_ca/status/1324790429947174913 |archive-date=January 4, 2022 |url-status=live}}

In May 2022, Starlink entered the Philippine market, the company's first deployment in Asia, because of a landmark legislative change (RA 11659, Public Services Act) about all-foreign allowance of company ownership in regard to utility entities such as internet and telco companies. Starlink got provisional permission from the country's Department of Information and Communication Technologies (DICT), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and soon began commercial services, aimed at regions with lower internet connectivity.{{cite web |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1604932/starlink-set-to-deliver-breakthrough-internet-services-to-ph-soon |title=Starlink set to deliver breakthrough internet services to PH soon |date=May 31, 2022 | access-date=June 4, 2022 | archive-date=June 4, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604173557/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1604932/starlink-set-to-deliver-breakthrough-internet-services-to-ph-soon | url-status=live}}

In August 2022, SpaceX secured its first contract for services in the passenger shipping industry. Royal Caribbean Group has added Starlink internet to Freedom of the Seas and planned to offer the service on 50 ships under its Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises brands by March 2023. Starlink services on private jet charter flights in the U.S. by JSX airline are expected to begin in late 2022, and Hawaiian Airlines had contracted to provide "Starlink services on transpacific flights to and from Hawaii in 2023."

In June 2023, a license to offer internet services in Zambia was granted to Starlink by the Zambian Government through its Electronic Government Division – SMART Zambia, after the completion of many trial projects throughout the country.{{Cite web |date=April 6, 2023 |title=Starlink connectivity effective in 9 provinces – Mutati |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2023/04/06/starlink-connectivity-effective-in-9-provinces-mutati/ |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=lusakatimes.com |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610043749/https://www.lusakatimes.com/2023/04/06/starlink-connectivity-effective-in-9-provinces-mutati/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2023 |title=Starlink secures licence to operate in Zambia |url=https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2023/06/09/starlink-secures-licence-to-operate-in-zambia/ |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=commsupdate.com |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610043748/https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2023/06/09/starlink-secures-licence-to-operate-in-zambia/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=June 7, 2023 |title=Elon Musk's Starlink given license to operate in Zambia |url=https://zambianobserver.com/elon-musks-starlink-given-license-to-operate-in-zambia/ |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=zambianobserver.com |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610043749/https://zambianobserver.com/elon-musks-starlink-given-license-to-operate-in-zambia/ |url-status=live}} In October 2023, Starlink officially went live in Zambia.{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2023 |title=Starlink goes live in Zambia |url=https://techcabal.com/2023/10/05/starlink-zambia-launch/#:~:text=Starlink%20goes%20live%20in%20Zambia&text=The%20company%20initially%20engaged%20with,be%20handled%20by%20Paratus%20Zambia. |access-date=October 6, 2023 |website=techcabal.com |archive-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012052836/https://techcabal.com/2023/10/05/starlink-zambia-launch/#:~:text=Starlink%20goes%20live%20in%20Zambia&text=The%20company%20initially%20engaged%20with,be%20handled%20by%20Paratus%20Zambia. |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2023 |title=Starlink Launches Business Services in Zambia, Partnering with Paratus Group |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2023/10/06/starlink-launches-business-services-in-zambia-partnering-with-paratus-group/ |access-date=October 6, 2023 |website=lusakatimes.com |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007013306/https://www.lusakatimes.com/2023/10/06/starlink-launches-business-services-in-zambia-partnering-with-paratus-group/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2023 |title=Starlink goes live in Zambia |url=https://www.inclusiontimes.com/starlink-goes-live-in-zambia/ |access-date=October 6, 2023 |website=inclusiontimes.com |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017103604/https://www.inclusiontimes.com/starlink-goes-live-in-zambia/ |url-status=live}}

In July 2023, the Mongolian government issued two licenses to SpaceX to provide internet access in the country.{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/elon-musks-spacex-launch-satellite-internet-service-mongolia-2023-07-07/ |title=Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch satellite internet service in Mongolia |date=July 7, 2023 |website=Reuters|access-date=July 7, 2023|archive-date=July 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707163750/https://www.reuters.com/technology/elon-musks-spacex-launch-satellite-internet-service-mongolia-2023-07-07/|url-status=live}}

In July 2023, it was reported by Bloomberg that attempts to sell the service to Taiwan in 2022 fell through when SpaceX insisted on 100% ownership of the Taiwan subsidiary running Starlink in the country. This went against Taiwanese law that required that internet service providers (ISP) are at least 51% controlled by local companies, an impracticality when dealing with a globe-spanning ISP.{{Cite news |date=2023-07-06 |title=Musk Ultimatum to Taiwan Imperils Its Push to War-Proof Internet |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-06/musk-ultimatum-imperils-taiwan-s-push-to-war-proof-its-internet |access-date=2024-10-26 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}

Japan's major mobile provider, KDDI, announced a partnership with SpaceX to begin offering in 2022 expanded connectivity for its rural mobile customers via 1,200 remote mobile towers.{{cite web |url=https://spacenews.com/spacexs-starlink-broadband-to-be-available-in-japans-remote-areas-next-year/ |title=SpaceX's Starlink broadband to be available in Japan's remote areas next year |publisher=SpaceNews |date=September 13, 2021|access-date=September 14, 2021|archive-date=October 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001025041/https://spacenews.com/spacexs-starlink-broadband-to-be-available-in-japans-remote-areas-next-year/|url-status=live}}

On April 25, 2022, Hawaiian Airlines announced an agreement with Starlink to provide free internet access on its aircraft, becoming the first airline to use Starlink.{{cite news |title=Hawaiian Airlines to Offer Free, High-Speed Starlink Internet Connectivity on Transpacific Fleet |url=https://newsroom.hawaiianairlines.com/releases/hawaiian-airlines-to-offer-free-high-speed-starlink-internet-connectivity-on-transpacific-fleet |date=April 25, 2022 |publisher=Hawaiian Airlines|access-date=June 29, 2022|archive-date=April 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426181624/https://newsroom.hawaiianairlines.com/releases/hawaiian-airlines-to-offer-free-high-speed-starlink-internet-connectivity-on-transpacific-fleet|url-status=live}} By July 2022, Starlink internet service was available in 36 countries and 41 markets.

In May 2022, it was announced that regulatory approval had been granted for Nigeria, Mozambique,{{cite news |title=Starlink approved in Nigeria and Mozambique, says Elon Musk |url=https://spacenews.com/starlink-approved-in-nigeria-and-mozambique-says-elon-musk/ |work=SpaceNews |date=May 27, 2022 |access-date=May 27, 2022 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213165300/https://spacenews.com/starlink-approved-in-nigeria-and-mozambique-says-elon-musk/ |url-status=live}} and the Philippines.{{cite news |title=The Philippines gives green light to Starlink |url=https://spacenews.com/the-philippines-gives-green-light-to-starlink/ |work=SpaceNews |date=May 27, 2022 |access-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213165259/https://spacenews.com/the-philippines-gives-green-light-to-starlink/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2317086/elon-musks-starlink-gets-nod-to-provide-internet-in-philippines |title=Elon Musk's Starlink gets nod to provide internet in Philippines |date=May 27, 2022 |newspaper=Bangkok Post|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=December 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213165309/https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2317086/elon-musks-starlink-gets-nod-to-provide-internet-in-philippines|url-status=live}} In the Philippines, commercial availability began on February 22, 2023.{{Cite web |title=Starlink is now live in the Philippines |url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/02/22/2246811/starlink-now-live-philippines |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327220635/https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/02/22/2246811/starlink-now-live-philippines |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |access-date=March 27, 2023 |website=Philstar.com}}

In September 2022, trials began at McMurdo Station in Antarctica and from December 2022 on field missions. Antarctica has no ground stations, so polar-orbiting satellites with optical interlinks are used to connect to ground stations in South America, New Zealand, and Australia.{{cite news |url=https://explorersweb.com/starlink-in-antarctica/ |title=Starlink Arrives in Antarctica, Into Traditional Iridium Territory |last=Anderson |first=Sam |website=Explorersweb |date=September 17, 2022 |access-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003110507/https://explorersweb.com/starlink-in-antarctica/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/technology/news/starlink-satellite-internet-tested-in-antarctica-590988.html |title=Starlink Satellite Internet Tested In Antarctica To Aid Research On The Icy Continent |last=Sharma |first=Bharat |website=Indiatimes |date=January 23, 2023 |access-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929081257/https://www.indiatimes.com/technology/news/starlink-satellite-internet-tested-in-antarctica-590988.html |url-status=live}}

In September 2023, the US-based United Against Nuclear Iran started donating subscriptions and terminals to Iranians to allow them to circumvent Iran's internet blackout.{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2023 |title=سازمان "اتحاد علیه ایران هسته‌ای" می‌گوید با "صور فلکی" به‌دنبال "مبارزه با سانسور اینترنت" در ایران است |url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/uani-launches-project-constellation-to-empower-the-iranian-people-against-regime-s-internet-censorship-/7269385.html |access-date=September 16, 2023 |website=صدای آمریکا |language=fa |archive-date=September 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917060415/https://ir.voanews.com/a/uani-launches-project-constellation-to-empower-the-iranian-people-against-regime-s-internet-censorship-/7269385.html |url-status=live}}{{Citation |title=هیوا فیضی: تمام عواید این پروژه برای خرید و اشتراک اینترنت "استارلینک" استفاده می‌شود |date=September 16, 2023 |url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/7270534.html |access-date=September 16, 2023 |language=fa |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213165533/https://ir.voanews.com/a/7270534.html |url-status=live}}

In September 2023, it was reported by some Indian news outlets that Starlink would imminently receive its license to operate in India after Starlink was able to meet all regulatory requirements, but that it would still be required to apply for spectrum allocation in order to provide service.{{Cite web |date=September 28, 2023 |title=Musk's Starlink to get satellite Internet licence next month |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/industry-musks-starlink-to-get-satellite-internet-licence-next-month-3256844/ |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=Financialexpress |language=en |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022071304/https://www.financialexpress.com/business/industry-musks-starlink-to-get-satellite-internet-licence-next-month-3256844/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://advanced-television.com/2023/09/29/india-starlink-approval-imminent/ |title=India: Starlink approval imminent? |date=September 29, 2023 | access-date=October 4, 2023 | archive-date=October 4, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004095406/https://advanced-television.com/2023/09/29/india-starlink-approval-imminent/ | url-status=live}} SpaceX had earlier sold 5000 Starlink preorders in India, and in 2021 had announced that Sanjay Bhargava, who had worked with Musk as part of a team that founded electronic payment firm PayPal, would head the tech billionaire entrepreneur's Starlink satellite broadband venture in India.{{cite news |title=Sanjay Bhargava to head Elon Musk's Starlink satellite broadband venture in India |publisher=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/sanjay-bhargava-to-head-elon-musks-starlink-satellite-broadband-venture-in-india/articleshow/86612212.cms|access-date=October 1, 2021|archive-date=October 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001063840/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/sanjay-bhargava-to-head-elon-musks-starlink-satellite-broadband-venture-in-india/articleshow/86612212.cms|url-status=live}} Three months later, Bhargava resigned "for personal reasons" after the Indian government ordered SpaceX to halt selling preorders for Starlink service until SpaceX gained regulatory approval for providing satellite internet services in the country.{{cite news |last=Rainbow |first=Jason |title=Starlink's head of India resigns as SpaceX refunds preorders |url=https://spacenews.com/starlinks-head-of-india-resigns-as-spacex-refunds-preorders/ |work=SpaceNews |date=January 4, 2022 |access-date=February 9, 2022 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213165302/https://spacenews.com/starlinks-head-of-india-resigns-as-spacex-refunds-preorders/ |url-status=live}} In April 2024, it was reported in some Indian news outlets that Starlink had received its "in-principle government approval" and that the approval now "lies at the desk of communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw".{{Cite news |title=Musk's satellite business Starlink gets in-principle government nod |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/musks-satellite-business-starlink-gets-in-principle-government-nod/articleshow/109324914.cms |access-date=April 16, 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

In November 2023, Starlink received the licenses to operate in Fiji.{{Cite news |url=https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks/15825-fiji-consumer-watchdog-welcomes-news-of-starlink-licences.html |date=November 21, 2023|access-date=May 20, 2024 |title=Fiji consumer watchdog welcomes news of Starlink licences |last=Tanner |first=John |language=en}} The service was launched in Fiji in May 2024.{{Cite news |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Starlink-now-live-across-Fiji-4f85rx/ |title=Starlink now live across Fiji |date=May 20, 2024|access-date=May 20, 2024 |first=Vijay |last=Narayan |language=en}}

In April 2024, it was reported that the company would begin trial service in Indonesia in May.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lightreading.com/satellite/starlink-teams-up-with-indonesian-isps-to-improve-rural-connectivity|title=Starlink teams up with Indonesian ISPs to improve rural connectivity|website=www.lightreading.com}} Starlink received its license to operate in Indonesia in early May.{{Cite web |date=May 8, 2024 |title=SpaceX's unit Starlink secures Indonesia operating permit |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/spacexs-unit-starlink-secures-indonesia-122755897.html |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-SG}}

In May 2024, Starlink service was available for pre-order in Sri Lanka, pending regulatory approval.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-27 |title=Elon Musk's Starlink internet available for pre-order in Sri Lanka |url=https://colombogazette.com/2024/05/27/elon-musks-starlink-internet-available-for-pre-order-in-sri-lanka/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=Colombo Gazette |language=en-US}} Starlink received its license to operate in Sri Lanka in August of the same year.{{Cite web |title=Starlink given license to operate in Sri Lanka from August 12 – Top Story {{!}} Daily Mirror |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/top-story/Starlink-given-license-to-operate-in-Sri-Lanka-from-August-12/155-289411 |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=www.dailymirror.lk |language=English}}

In August 2024, Starlink received the licenses to operate in Yemen.{{Cite news |url=https://www.mofa-ye.org/Pages/28653/ |date=August 13, 2024|access-date=August 6, 2024 |title=Gov't approves the satellite Internet service "Starlink"}} Starlink services will soon be implemented through the corporation's sales points distributed across most governorates. These points will provide a full range of services, including device sales, activation, subscription fee payments, and direct technical support.{{Cite news |url=https://www.yemenmonitor.com/en/Details/ArtMID/908/ArticleID/118888 |access-date=August 7, 2024 |website=Yemen Monitor |language=en |title=Yemen Officially Operates Starlink Satellite Internet Service }} In April 2025, Houthi rebels in Yemen demanded that residents surrender their Starlink devices.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-28 |title=Houthis demand immediate surrender of Starlink devices in Yemen |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250428-houthis-demand-immediate-surrender-of-starlink-devices-in-yemen/ |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=Middle East Monitor}}

In September 2024, United Airlines announced it would install Starlink services on the airline's entire fleet, including mainland and regional aircraft, as part of a plan to offer free high-speed Wi-Fi to all passengers.{{Cite web |last=Abott |first=Rich |date=2024-09-19 |title=Starlink Lands United Deal for the Airline's Full Fleet - Sept. 13 |url=https://www.aviationtoday.com/2024/09/19/starlink-lands-united-deal-for-the-airlines-full-fleet-sept-13/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Avionics International |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Airlines |first=United |date=January 5, 2025 |title=United Announces Accelerated Timeline for Starlink's Industry-Leading Connectivity in the Sky |url=https://www.united.com/en/us/newsroom/announcements/cision-125360 |website=United}} In March 2025, the FAA issued final approval for United to begin equipping its aircraft with Starlink antennas.{{Cite web |last=Sherpardson |first=David |date=March 31, 2025 |title=United receives FAA approval for first Starlink-equipped planes |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/united-receives-faa-approval-first-starlink-equipped-airplanes-2025-03-31/ |access-date=April 2, 2025 |website=Reuters}}

On 22 October 2024, Qatar Airways launched the first Starlink-equipped Boeing 777 flight, flying from Doha to London.{{Cite web |last=Newspaper |first=The |date=2024-10-23 |title=Qatar Airways Launches the World's First Boeing 777 Starlink-Equipped Flight |url=https://thenewspaper.co.za/qatar-airways-launches-starlink-flight/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |language=en-US}} As of November 2024, Morocco is set to give regulatory approval to Starlink by 2025.{{Cite web |title=Exclusif : l'ANRT envisage l'octroi d'autorisations à Starlink et OneWeb dès 2025 |url=https://telquel.ma/2024/11/11/exclusif-lanrt-envisage-loctroi-dautorisations-a-starlink-et-oneweb-des-2025_1903814 |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=Telquel.ma |language=fr}}

On 11 and 12 March 2025, Indian telecom companies Airtel and Jio have partnered with Starlink to bring satellite internet to India, aiming to improve connectivity in remote areas.{{Cite web |title=Opposition To Opportunity: How Jio And Airtel Finally Partnered With Starlink |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/opposition-to-opportunity-how-jio-and-airtel-finally-partnered-with-starlink-7906691 |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=www.ndtv.com |language=en}} However, the service's rollout is dependent on securing necessary government approvals.{{Cite news |date=2025-03-12 |title=Elon Musk's Starlink signs deal with Bharti Airtel, Jio for high speed internet in India: Check likely price, speed, plan, and more |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/elon-musks-starlink-signs-deal-with-bharti-airtel-jio-for-high-speed-internet-in-india-check-likely-price-speed-plan-and-more/articleshow/118915938.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-03-13 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}} These partnerships promise to expand broadband access, especially in underserved regions.{{Cite news |last=Asthana |first=Bhuvnesh |date=2025-03-11 |title=Airtel Announces Agreement with SpaceX to Bring Starlink's High-Speed Internet to its Customers in India |url=https://www.airtel.in/press-release/03-2025/airtel-announces-agreement-with-spacex-to-bring-starlinks-high-speed-internet-to-its-customers-in-india/#:~:text=By%20adding%20Starlink,%20(in%20addition,its%20ability%20to%20offer%20nationwide |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250311142013/https://www.airtel.in/press-release/03-2025/airtel-announces-agreement-with-spacex-to-bring-starlinks-high-speed-internet-to-its-customers-in-india/ |archive-date=2025-03-11 |access-date=2025-03-13 |work=Airtel |language=en-US}}

In March 2025 Musk claimed that Starlink was unavailable in South Africa because he was not black. The South African government argued against this.{{cite web |last1=Khanum |first1=Maryam |title=Elon Musk Claims Starlink Can't Operate in South Africa Because He's 'Not Black' |url=https://www.latintimes.com/elon-musk-claims-starlink-cant-operate-south-africa-because-not-black-579058 |website=latintimes.com |date=March 23, 2025 |publisher=Latin Times |access-date=24 March 2025}} In April 2025, Starlink was given a license to operate in Somalia and Lesotho. {{cite web

|title=Musk says Starlink now available in Somalia

|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/musk-says-starlink-now-available-somalia-2025-04-13/

|website=Reuters

|date=2025-04-13

|access-date=2025-04-13

}}{{Cite web |date=April 2025 |title=Lesotho grants license to Elon Musk's Starlink |url=https://iol.co.za/news/africa/2025-04-15-lesotho-grants-license-to-elon-musks-starlink/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=IOL |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-04-15 |title=Starlink receives 10-year license to operate in Lesotho as South Africa pushback continues |url=https://techpoint.africa/news/starlink-licence-lesotho/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=AFP |title=Lesotho grants license to Musk's Starlink |url=https://www.ewn.co.za/2025/04/14/lesotho-grants-license-to-musks-starlink |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=EWN |language=en}}

In 2022, the U.S. State Department and U.S. Treasury Department updated rules regarding export of technology to Iran, allowing Starlink to be exported to Iran in support of the Iranian protests against compulsory hijab, which had triggered extensive government censorship.{{Cite web |title=Elon Musk greenlit to activate Starlink internet for Iranians |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/24/musk-says-activating-starlink-in-response-to-blinken-on-internet |access-date=May 23, 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} Immediately afterwards, Starlink service was activated in Iran. In 2023, the Iranian government filed a complaint with the ITU against SpaceX for unauthorized Starlink operation in Iran.{{Cite news |last=Einhorn |first=Bruce |date=2024-03-27 |title=Iran Takes Battle to Block Musk's Starlink Internet to UN |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-03-27/why-policing-elon-musk-s-starlink-satellites-is-a-global-challenge |access-date=2024-10-18 |work=Bloomberg News |language=en}} In October 2023 and March 2024, the ITU ruled in favor of Iran, dismissing a SpaceX assertion that it should not be expected to verify the location of every terminal connecting to its satellites. Iran stated that SpaceX was capable of determining their user terminal locations by citing an October 2022 tweet from Musk saying the number of Starlink terminals operating within Iran was "approaching 100".{{cite web|url=https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/md/24/rrb24.1/sp/R24-RRB24.1-SP-0002!!PDF-E.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328163708/https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/md/24/rrb24.1/sp/R24-RRB24.1-SP-0002!!PDF-E.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 28, 2024|title=www.itu.int}} Despite the illegality of Starlink usage in Iran, the number of Starlink users has grown exponentially via sales of the terminals on the black market. Iranian officials have acknowledged that 30,000 terminals in the country, providing access to some 100,000 users.{{Cite news |last=Mehrara |first=Maya |date=2025-01-07 |title=Starlink usage in Iran skyrockets |url=https://www.newsweek.com/starlink-usage-iran-skyrockets-break-internet-law-rebel-restrictions-2011111 |access-date=2025-03-13 |work=Newsweek |language=en}}

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{{Update|date=May 2024}}

File:Starlink 01.webp

The internet communication satellites were expected to be smallsats, {{cvt|100|to|500|kg}} in mass, and were intended to be in low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of approximately {{cvt|1100|km}}, according to early public releases of information in 2015. The first significant deployment of 60 satellites was in May 2019, with each satellite weighing {{cvt|227|kg}}. SpaceX decided to place the satellites at a relatively low {{cvt|550|km}} due to concerns associated with space debris from failures or low fuel in the space environment, as well as letting them use fewer satellites than what was initially needed.{{cite web |last1=Grush |first1=Loren |title=SpaceX wants to fly some internet satellites closer to Earth to cut down on space trash |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/9/18016962/spacex-internet-satellites-space-debris-trash-orbit-closer-earth-distance-atmosphere |publisher=The Verge |date=November 9, 2018|access-date=November 9, 2018|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160255/https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/9/18016962/spacex-internet-satellites-space-debris-trash-orbit-closer-earth-distance-atmosphere|url-status=live}} Initial plans forecasted in January 2015 were for the constellation to be made up of approximately 4,000 cross-linked{{cite AV media |date=July 8, 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmEg95wPiVU |title=ISSRDC 2015 – A Conversation with Elon Musk |publisher=ISS National Lab |via=YouTube |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202091228/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmEg95wPiVU |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |url-status=live}} satellites; more than twice as many operational satellites as were in orbit in January 2015.

The satellites employ optical inter-satellite links and phased array beam-forming and digital processing technologies in the Ku and Ka microwave bands (super high frequency [SHF] to extremely high frequency [EHF]), according to documents filed with the U.S. FCC.{{cite web |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=1158350 |title=SpaceX Non-Geostationary Satellite System – Attachment A |last=Space Exploration Holdings, LLC |date=November 15, 2016 |publisher=FCC Space Station Applications|access-date=February 15, 2018|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160252/http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=1158350|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}}{{cite web |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/ib/forms/reports/swr031b.hts?q_set=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC/File+Number/%3D/SATLOA2016111500118&prepare=&column=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC/File+Number |title=SAT-LOA-20161115-00118 |last=Space Exploration Holdings, LLC |date=November 15, 2016 |publisher=FCC Space Station Applications|access-date=February 15, 2018|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160348/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/ib/forms/reports/swr031b.hts?q_set=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC%2FFile+Number%2F%3D%2FSATLOA2016111500118&prepare=&column=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC%2FFile+Number|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}} While specifics of the phased array technologies have been disclosed as part of the frequency application, SpaceX enforced confidentiality regarding details of the optical inter-satellite links.{{cite web |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=1210294 |title=Re: Space Exploration Holdings, LLC, IBFS File No. SAT-LOA-20161115-00118 |last=Wiltshire |first=William M. |date=April 20, 2017 |publisher=FCC Space Station Application|access-date=February 15, 2018|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160308/http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=1210294|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}} Early satellites were launched without laser links. The inter-satellite laser links were successfully tested in late 2020.{{cite web |last1=Zafar |first1=Ramish |title=SpaceX Successfully Tests Inter-Satellite Starlink Connectivity Via Lasers |url=https://wccftech.com/spacex-starlink-satellite-laser-test/ |website=wccftech.com |date=September 3, 2020|access-date=September 6, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160313/https://wccftech.com/spacex-starlink-satellite-laser-test/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Sheetz |first1=Michael |title=SpaceX's Starlink internet shows fast speeds during early tests, capable of gaming and streaming |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/03/spacex-starlink-satellite-internet-network-early-tests-show-fast-speeds.html |website=cnbc.com |date=September 3, 2020 |publisher=CNBC|access-date=September 6, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160306/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/03/spacex-starlink-satellite-internet-network-early-tests-show-fast-speeds.html|url-status=live}}

The satellites are mass-produced, at a much lower cost per unit of capability than previously existing satellites. Musk said, "We're going to try and do for satellites what we've done for rockets."{{cite news |title=SpaceX chief Elon Musk has high hopes for Seattle office |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2025451224_muskseattlexml.html|access-date=May 25, 2019 |last1=Hull |first1=Dana |last2=Johnsson |first2=Julie |publisher=Seattle Times |date=January 14, 2015|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160329/https://www.seattletimes.com/|url-status=live}} "In order to revolutionize space, we have to address both satellites and rockets." "Smaller satellites are crucial to lowering the cost of space-based Internet and communications".{{cite news |last1=Petersen |first1=Melody |date=January 16, 2015 |title=Elon Musk and Richard Branson invest in satellite-Internet ventures |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-satellite-entrepreneurs-20150117-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730230957/https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-satellite-entrepreneurs-20150117-story.html |archive-date=July 30, 2020}}

In February 2015, SpaceX asked the FCC to consider future innovative uses of the Ka-band spectrum before the FCC commits to 5G communications regulations that would create barriers to entry, since SpaceX is a new entrant to the satellite communications market. The SpaceX non-geostationary orbit communications satellite constellation will operate in the high-frequency bands above 24 GHz, "where steerable Earth station transmit antennas would have a wider geographic impact, and significantly lower satellite altitudes magnify the impact of aggregate interference from terrestrial transmissions".{{cite news |title=In 5G proceeding, SpaceX urges FCC to protect future satellite ventures |url=http://www.fiercewireless.com/tech/story/5g-proceeding-spacex-urges-fcc-protect-future-satellite-ventures/2015-02-22 |last1=Alleven |first1=Monica |publisher=FierceWirelessTech |date=February 22, 2015|access-date=March 3, 2015 |quote=SpaceX pointed out that it recently announced plans to build a network of 4,000 non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) communications satellites, which it will manufacture, launch and operate.|archive-date=February 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226084948/http://www.fiercewireless.com/tech/story/5g-proceeding-spacex-urges-fcc-protect-future-satellite-ventures/2015-02-22|url-status=live}}

Internet traffic via a geostationary satellite has a minimum theoretical round-trip latency of at least 477 milliseconds (ms; between user and ground gateway), but in practice, current satellites have latencies of 600 ms or more. Starlink satellites are orbiting at {{frac|105}} to {{frac|30}} of the height of geostationary orbits, and thus offer more practical Earth-to-satellite latencies of around 25 to 35 ms, comparable to existing cable and fiber networks.{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/02/spacexs-satellite-broadband-nears-fcc-approval-and-first-test-launch/ |title=SpaceX hits two milestones in plan for low-latency satellite broadband |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |publisher=Ars Technica |date=February 14, 2018|access-date=May 13, 2019|archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160316/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/02/spacexs-satellite-broadband-nears-fcc-approval-and-first-test-launch/|url-status=live}} The system uses a peer-to-peer protocol claimed to be "simpler than IPv6"; it also incorporates native end-to-end encryption.{{cite tweet |last=Musk |first=Elon |author-link=Elon Musk |user=elonmusk |number=967712110661615616 |date=February 25, 2018 |title=@andrestaltz Will be simpler than IPv6 and have tiny packet overhead. Definitely peer-to-peer. |language=en |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229202546/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/967712110661615616 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |url-status=live}}

Starlink satellites use Hall-effect thrusters with krypton or argon gas as the reaction mass{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-falcon-9-launch-kick-starts-space-based-internet-starlink-satellites/ |title=High winds scrub SpaceX launch of 60 Starlink internet relay satellites |website=CBS News |date=May 15, 2019 |access-date=May 24, 2019|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160317/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-falcon-9-launch-kick-starts-space-based-internet-starlink-satellites/|url-status=live}} for orbit raising and station keeping.{{cite web |last=Ralph |first=Eric |url=https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starlink-lawyers-oneweb-critique/ |title=SpaceX's Starlink satellite lawyers refute latest "flawed" OneWeb critique |publisher=Teslarati |date=March 22, 2019|access-date=May 2, 2019|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160310/https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starlink-lawyers-oneweb-critique/|url-status=live}} Krypton Hall thrusters tend to exhibit significantly higher erosion of the flow channel compared to a similar electric propulsion system operated with xenon, but krypton is much more abundant and has a lower market price.{{cite conference |title=Krypton Hall Thrusters – Identification, Evaluation and Testing of Alternative Propellants for Electric Propulsion Systems |url=https://artes.esa.int/projects/kht-krypton-hall-thrusters |conference=Project KHT |publisher=European Space Agency |date=September 6, 2017|access-date=May 17, 2019 |quote=The overall outcome is that propellant different from xenon can provide significant economic benefits in the long term for commercial telecom applications. In particular, krypton would allow for a major reduction of qualification and operation costs with minor performance drawbacks.|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160336/https://artes.esa.int/projects/kht-krypton-hall-thrusters|url-status=live}} SpaceX claims that its 2nd generation thruster using argon has 2.4× the thrust and 1.5× the specific impulse of the krypton fueled thruster.{{Cite web |title=SpaceX on Instagram: "Among other enhancements, V2 minis are equipped with new argon Hall thrusters for on orbit maneuvering. Developed by SpaceX engineers, they have 2.4x the thrust and 1.5x the specific impulse of our first gen thrusters. This will also be the first time ever that argon Hall thrusters are operated in space" |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CpImiuwOgsM/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |website=Instagram |language=en |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226185851/https://www.instagram.com/p/CpImiuwOgsM/ |url-status=live}}

File:Steve Jurvetson with Starlink user terminal.jpg holding a Starlink user terminal in June 2020]]

File:Spacex catson-v20 mcmaster mz mit20x2.jpg

The Starlink system has multiple modes of connectivity including direct-to-cell capability as well as broadband satellite internet service. Direct-to-cell provides connectivity to unmodified cellular phones and is being offered globally in partnership with various national cellular service providers.{{Cite web |title=Starlink Business {{!}} Direct To Cell |url=https://www.starlink.com/business/direct-to-cell |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Starlink |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=SpaceX Sends First Text Messages Via Its Newly Launched Direct to Cell Satellites |url=https://api.starlink.com/public-files/DIRECT_TO_CELL_FIRST_TEXT_UPDATE.pdf |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241107183055/https://api.starlink.com/public-files/DIRECT_TO_CELL_FIRST_TEXT_UPDATE.pdf |archive-date=2024-11-07 |website=api.starlink.com |access-date=2025-03-20}} Starlink's broadband internet service is accessed via flat user terminals the size of a pizza box, which have phased array antennas and track the satellites. The terminals can be mounted anywhere, as long as they can see the sky. This includes fast-moving objects like trains.{{cite tweet |last=Musk |first=Elon |author-link=Elon Musk |user=elonmusk |number=1316255322835759105 |date=October 14, 2020 |title=@antonkanerva Yes. Everything is slow to a phased array antenna. |language=en |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202091213/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1316255322835759105 |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |url-status=live}} Photographs of the customer antennas were first seen on the internet in June 2020, supporting earlier statements by SpaceX CEO Musk that the terminals would look like a "UFO on a stick. Starlink Terminal has motors to self-adjust optimal angle to view sky".[https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/ufo-starlink-terminal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622154317/https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/ufo-starlink-terminal|date=June 22, 2020}}, June 19, 2020 The antenna is known internally as "Dishy McFlatface".{{cite news |author=Brodkin |first=Jon |date=April 19, 2021 |title=Dishy McFlatface to become "fully mobile", allowing Starlink use away from home |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2021/04/dishy-mcflatface-to-become-fully-mobile-allowing-starlink-use-away-from-home/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423041140/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2021/04/dishy-mcflatface-to-become-fully-mobile-allowing-starlink-use-away-from-home/ |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |access-date=April 23, 2021 |publisher=Ars Technica}}{{cite news |author=Brodkin |first=Jon |date=December 2, 2020 |title=Teardown of "Dishy McFlatface", the SpaceX Starlink user terminal |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/12/teardown-of-dishy-mcflatface-the-spacex-starlink-user-terminal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423041141/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/12/teardown-of-dishy-mcflatface-the-spacex-starlink-user-terminal/ |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |access-date=April 23, 2021 |publisher=Ars Technica}}

In October 2020, SpaceX launched a paid-for beta service in the U.S. called "Better Than Nothing Beta", charging $499 ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=499|start_year=2020|r=--1|fmt=eq}}) for a user terminal, with an expected service of "50 to 150 Mbit/s and latency from 20 to 40 ms over the next several months".{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanocallaghan/2020/10/27/spacex-reveals-monthly-cost-of-starlink-internet-in-its-better-than-nothing-betabut-is-it-too-expensive/ |title=SpaceX Reveals Monthly Cost Of Starlink Internet In Its 'Better Than Nothing Beta' |last=O'Callaghan |first=Jonathan |newspaper=Forbes |date=October 27, 2020 |access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160314/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanocallaghan/2020/10/27/spacex-reveals-monthly-cost-of-starlink-internet-in-its-better-than-nothing-betabut-is-it-too-expensive/|url-status=live}} From January 2021, the paid-for beta service was extended to other continents, starting with the United Kingdom.{{cite news |url=https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starlink-beta-uk-arrival-europe-australia/ |title=SpaceX Starlink beta arrives in the UK, sets sights on rest of Europe and Australia |last=Ralph |first=Eric |website=Teslarati |date=January 4, 2021|access-date=January 4, 2021|archive-date=January 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104100044/https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starlink-beta-uk-arrival-europe-australia/|url-status=live}}

A larger, high-performance version of the antenna is available for use with the Starlink Business service tier.

In September 2020, SpaceX applied for permission to put terminals on 10 of its ships with the expectation of entering the maritime market in the future.{{cite web |url=https://advanced-television.com/2020/09/21/spacex-to-test-starlink-terminals-on-its-ships/ |title=SpaceX to test Starlink terminals on ships |website=advanced-television.com |date=September 21, 2020|access-date=October 15, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160344/https://advanced-television.com/2020/09/21/spacex-to-test-starlink-terminals-on-its-ships/|url-status=live}}

In August 2022, and in response to an open invitation from SpaceX to have the terminal examined by the security community, security specialist Lennert Wouters presented several technical architecture details about the then-current starlink terminals: the main control unit of the dish is a STMicroelectronics custom designed chip code-named Catson which is a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53-based control processor running the Linux kernel and booted using U-Boot. The main processor uses several other custom chips such as a digital beam former named Shiraz and a front-end module named Pulsarad. The main control unit controls an array of digital beamformers. Each beamformer controls 16 front-end modules. In addition the terminal has a GPS receiver, motor controllers, synchronous clock generation and Power over Ethernet circuits, all manufactured by STMicroelectronics.{{cite conference |url=https://i.blackhat.com/USA-22/Wednesday/US-22-Wouters-Glitched-On-Earth.pdf |title=Glitched on Earth by Humans: A Black-Box Security Evaluation of the SpaceX Starlink User Terminal |last1=Wouters |first1=Lennert| author-link1 = |date=August 10, 2022 |publisher=Black Hat USA 2022| access-date = August 9, 2023| archive-date = July 6, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230706022422/https://i.blackhat.com/USA-22/Wednesday/US-22-Wouters-Glitched-On-Earth.pdf| url-status = live}}

In June 2024, a portable user terminal dubbed "Starlink Mini" was announced to be imminently available. The Mini supports 100 Mbit/s of download speed and will fit in a backpack.{{Cite web |title=Starlink Mini Dish Release Appears to Be Imminent as New Images Surface |url=https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/starlink-mini-dish-release-appears-to-be-imminent-as-new-images-surface/ |access-date=June 18, 2024 |website=CNET |language=en}} Initial rollout was in Latin America at a $200 price point.{{Cite web |title=SpaceX Sells Starlink Mini Dish For $200, But Only In Latin America |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/spacex-sells-starlink-mini-dish-for-200-but-only-in-latin-america |access-date=June 22, 2024 |website=PCMAG |date=June 21, 2024 |language=en}}

SpaceX has made applications to the FCC for at least 32 ground stations in United States, and {{as of|July 2020|lc=y}} has approvals for five of them (in five states). Until February 2023, Starlink used the Ka-band to connect with ground stations.{{cite web |url=https://wccftech.com/spacex-fcc-starlink-lull/ |title=SpaceX Requests FCC Approval For Starlink Earth Stations As Company's Applications Continue To Pile With The Commission|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818103454/https://wccftech.com/spacex-fcc-starlink-lull/ |date=July 6, 2020|archive-date=August 18, 2020|url-status=dead}} {{PD-notice}} With the launch of v2 Mini, frequencies were added in the 71–86 GHz W band (or E band waveguide) range.{{Cite web |title=SpaceX launches Starlink V2 satellites to increase internet capacity |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2361798-spacex-launches-starlink-v2-satellites-to-increase-internet-capacity/ |access-date=March 6, 2023 |website=New Scientist |language=en-US |archive-date=March 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306180107/https://www.newscientist.com/article/2361798-spacex-launches-starlink-v2-satellites-to-increase-internet-capacity/ |url-status=live}}

A typical ground station{{when|date=October 2022}} has nine 2.86 m (9.4 ft) antennas in a 400 m² (4,306 sq ft) fenced in area.{{cite news |url=https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/spacexs-starlink-drops-proposals-for-two-of-three-planned-ground-stations-in-france/ |title=SpaceX's Starlink drops proposals for two of three planned ground stations in France | access-date=May 29, 2022 | archive-date=May 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527183533/https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/spacexs-starlink-drops-proposals-for-two-of-three-planned-ground-stations-in-france/ | url-status=live}}

According to their filing, SpaceX's ground stations would also be installed on-site at Google data-centers world-wide.{{cite news |title=Google wins cloud deal from Elon Musk's SpaceX for Starlink internet connectivity |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/13/google-cloud-wins-spacex-deal-for-starlink-internet-connectivity.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210513202004/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/13/google-cloud-wins-spacex-deal-for-starlink-internet-connectivity.html |date=May 13, 2021 |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |last=Novet |first=Jordan |publisher=CNBC}}

MicroSat-1a and MicroSat-1b were originally slated to be launched into {{cvt|625|km}} circular orbits at approximately 86.4° inclination, and to include panchromatic video imager cameras to film images of Earth and the satellite.{{cite web |url=http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/files/space_x.pdf |title=SpaceX presentation at NOAA|access-date=October 21, 2016|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160243/https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/files/space_x.pdf|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}} The two satellites, "MicroSat-1a" and "MicroSat-1b" were meant to be launched together as secondary payloads on one of the Iridium NEXT flights, but they were instead used for ground-based tests.{{cite web |url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/microsat-1.htm |title=MicroSat 1a, 1b |website=space.skyrocket.de|access-date=June 9, 2018|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160301/https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/microsat-1.htm|url-status=live}}

At the time of the June 2015 announcement, SpaceX had stated plans to launch the first two demonstration satellites in 2016, but the target date was subsequently moved out to 2018.{{cite tweet |number=923205405643329536 |user=CHenry_QA |title=SpaceX's Patricia Cooper: 2 demo sats launching in next few months, then constellation deployment in 2019. Can start service w/ ~800 sats. |date=October 25, 2017|access-date=February 5, 2022 |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101010107/https://twitter.com/CHenry_QA/status/923205405643329536|archive-date=January 1, 2022|url-status=live |last=Henry |first=Caleb}} SpaceX began flight testing their satellite technologies in 2018 with the launch of two test satellites. The two identical satellites were called MicroSat-2a and MicroSat-2b{{cite web |url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/microsat-2.htm |title=MicroSat 2a, 2b (Tintin A, B) |website=space.skyrocket.de|access-date=June 9, 2018|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307233108/https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/microsat-2.htm|url-status=live}} during development but were renamed Tintin A and Tintin B upon orbital deployment on February 22, 2018. The satellites were launched by a Falcon 9 rocket, and they were piggy-back payloads launching with the Paz satellite.

Tintin A and B were inserted into a {{cvt|514|km}} orbit. Per FCC filings,{{cite web |title=Starlink Microsat Experiment Purposes |url=https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=185534 |ref=fcc185534 |publisher=FCC|access-date=September 29, 2018|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160317/https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=185534|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}} they were intended to raise themselves to a {{cvt|1125|km}} orbit, the operational altitude for Starlink LEO satellites per the earliest regulatory filings, but stayed close to their original orbits. SpaceX announced in November 2018 that they would like to operate an initial shell of about 1600 satellites in the constellation at about {{cvt|550|km}} orbital altitude, at an altitude similar to the orbits Tintin A and B stayed in.

The satellites orbit in a circular low Earth orbit at about {{cvt|500|km}} altitude[http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=43216 Tintin A] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160321/https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=43216|date=November 17, 2020}} and [http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=43217 Tintin B] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160354/https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=43217|date=November 17, 2020}} at n2yo.com in a high-inclination orbit for a planned six to twelve-month duration. The satellites communicate with three testing ground stations in Washington State and California for short-term experiments of less than ten minutes duration, roughly daily.{{cite news |last1=Boyle |first1=Alan |title=How SpaceX Plans to Test Its Satellite Internet Service in 2016 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/how-spacex-plans-test-its-satellite-internet-service-2016-n370196|access-date=June 5, 2015 |publisher=NBC News |date=June 4, 2015|archive-date=December 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208025050/https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/how-spacex-plans-test-its-satellite-internet-service-2016-n370196|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/spacex-founder-files-with-government-to-provide-internet-service-from-space/2015/06/09/db8d8d02-0eb7-11e5-a0dc-2b6f404ff5cf_story.html |title=SpaceX founder files with government to provide Internet service from space |first1=Cecilia |last1=Kang |first2=Christian |last2=Davenport |date=June 9, 2015 |newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=September 14, 2017|archive-date=February 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223183501/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/spacex-founder-files-with-government-to-provide-internet-service-from-space/2015/06/09/db8d8d02-0eb7-11e5-a0dc-2b6f404ff5cf_story.html|url-status=live}}

The 60 Starlink v0.9 satellites, launched in May 2019, had the following characteristics:

• Flat-panel design with multiple high-throughput antennas and a single solar array
• Mass: {{cvt|227|kg}}
• Hall-effect thrusters using krypton as the reaction mass, for position adjustment on orbit, altitude maintenance, and deorbit
• Star tracker navigation system for precision pointing
• Able to use U.S. Department of Defense-provided debris data to autonomously avoid collision{{cite web |url=http://www.starlink.com/ |title=Starlink |last=Musk |first=Elon |website=starlink.com|access-date=August 20, 2019|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160327/https://www.starlink.com/|url-status=live}}
• Altitude of {{cvt|550|km}}
• 95% of "all components of this design will quickly burn in Earth's atmosphere at the end of each satellite's lifecycle".

The Starlink v1.0 satellites, launched since November 2019, have the following additional characteristics:{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

• 100% of all components of this design will completely demise, or burn up, in Earth's atmosphere at the end of each satellite's life.{{cite news |title=Digital Connectivity and Low Earth Orbit Satellite Constellations: Opportunities for Asia and the Pacific |last1=Garrity |first1=John |last2=Husar |first2=Arndt |url=https://think-asia.org/handle/11540/13626 |date=April 2021 |work=think-asia.org |access-date=June 3, 2022 |archive-date=July 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721104450/https://think-asia.org/handle/11540/13626 |url-status=dead}}
• K_a-band added{{cite web |last=Krebs |first=Gunter |title=Starlink Block v1.0 |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/starlink-v1-0.htm|url-status=live|access-date=July 15, 2020 |website=space.skyrocket.de|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160326/https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/starlink-v1-0.htm}}
• Mass: {{cvt|260|kg}}
• One of them, numbered 1130 and called DarkSat, had its albedo reduced using a special coating but the method was abandoned due to thermal issues and IR reflectivity.{{cite web |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-working-on-fix-for-starlink-satellites-so-they-dont-disrupt-astronomy/ |title=SpaceX working on fix for Starlink satellites so they don't disrupt astronomy |date=December 7, 2019|access-date=December 10, 2019|archive-date=January 2, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200102000114/https://spacenews.com/spacex-working-on-fix-for-starlink-satellites-so-they-dont-disrupt-astronomy/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.spacex.com/updates/starlink-update-04-28-2020/ |title=Starlink Discussion National Academy Of Sciences |publisher=SpaceX |date=April 28, 2020|access-date=July 15, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160400/https://www.spacex.com/updates/starlink-update-04-28-2020/|url-status=live}}
• All satellites launched since the ninth launch at August 2020 have visors to block sunlight from reflecting from parts of the satellite to reduce its albedo further.{{cite web |date=May 27, 2020 |title=SpaceX to add sunshades to all future Starlink satellites |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-to-add-sunshades-to-all-future-starlink-satellites/ |access-date=February 28, 2022 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213165302/https://spacenews.com/spacex-to-add-sunshades-to-all-future-starlink-satellites/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Mack |first=Eric |title=SpaceX launches first batch of Starlink satellites wearing sun visors |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/spacex-launches-first-batch-of-starlink-satellites-wearing-sun-visors/ |access-date=February 28, 2022 |website=CNET |language=en |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213165543/https://www.cnet.com/science/spacex-launches-first-batch-of-starlink-satellites-wearing-sun-visors/null/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=January 22, 2021 |title=Starlink Satellites Are Fainter Now — But Still Visible |url=https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/starlink-satellites-fainter-but-still-visible/ |access-date=February 28, 2022 |website=Sky & Telescope |language=en-US |archive-date=February 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228121559/https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/starlink-satellites-fainter-but-still-visible/ |url-status=live}}{{cite arXiv |last=Mallama |first=Anthony |date=June 15, 2020 |title=Starlink Satellite Brightness Before VisorSat |class=astro-ph.EP |eprint=2006.08422}}

The Starlink v1.5 satellites, launched since January 24, 2021, have the following additional characteristics:

• Lasers for inter-satellite communication{{cite news |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/04/06/spacex-to-ramp-up-vandenberg-launch-cadence-with-starlink-missions/ |title=SpaceX to ramp up Vandenberg launch cadence with Starlink missions |last=Clark |first=Stephen |publisher=Spaceflight Now |date=April 6, 2021|access-date=April 8, 2021|archive-date=April 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407201524/https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/04/06/spacex-to-ramp-up-vandenberg-launch-cadence-with-starlink-missions/|url-status=live}}
• Mass: ~{{cvt|295|kg}}
• Visors that blocked sunlight were removed from satellites launched from September 2021 onwards.{{cite journal |last1=Witze |first1=Alexandra |title='Unsustainable': how satellite swarms pose a rising threat to astronomy |journal=Nature |date=May 26, 2022 |volume=606 |issue=7913 |pages=236–237 |language=en |doi=10.1038/d41586-022-01420-9 |pmid=35618807 |bibcode=2022Natur.606..236W |s2cid=249096524 |doi-access=free}}

These are satellites buses with two solar arrays derived from Starlink v1.5 and v2.0 for military use and can host classified government or military payloads.{{cite web |date=December 2, 2022 |title=Starshield: Supporting National Security |url=https://www.spacex.com/starshield/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214061704/https://www.spacex.com/starshield/ |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |access-date=December 2, 2022 |publisher=SpaceX}}

SpaceX was preparing for the production of Starlink v2 satellites by early 2021.{{cite news |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/28/spacex-plans-next-generation-starlink-satellites-with-1000-launched.html |title=SpaceX looks to build next-generation Starlink internet satellites after launching 1,000 so far |work=CNBC |date=January 29, 2021 |access-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210129184731/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/28/spacex-plans-next-generation-starlink-satellites-with-1000-launched.html|url-status=live}} According to Musk, Starlink v2 satellites will be "…an order of magnitude better than Starlink 1" in terms of communications bandwidth.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP5k3ZzPf_0&t=695s |title=Go up SpaceX's Starship-catching robotic launch tower with Elon Musk! |date=May 26, 2022 |medium=video |time= 11:35–11:43 |access-date=June 1, 2022 |via=YouTube |people=Everyday Astronaut |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601115235/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP5k3ZzPf_0&t=695s |url-status=live}}

SpaceX hoped to begin launching Starlink v2 in 2022. {{as of|2022|May}}, SpaceX had said publicly that the satellites of second-generation (Gen2) constellation would need to be launched on Starship, as they are too large to fit inside a Falcon 9 fairing. However, in August 2022, SpaceX made formal regulatory filings with the FCC that indicated they would build satellites of the second-generation (Gen2) constellation in two different, but technically identical, form factors: one with the physical structures tailored to launching on Falcon 9, and one tailored for the launching on Starship.[https://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=16832647 SpaceX supplemental filing on IBFS File Nos. SAT-LOA-20200526-00055 and SAT-AMD-20210818-00105], FCC documents website, PDF, August 19, 2022. Starlink v2 is both larger and heavier than Starlink v1 satellites.

Starlink second-generation satellites planned for launch on Starship have the following characteristics:{{cite news |last=Ralph |first=Eric |date=May 30, 2022 |title=SpaceX CEO Elon Musk reveals next-generation Starlink satellite details |work=Teslarati |url= https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-elon-musk-next-gen-starlink-satellite-details/ |access-date=June 5, 2022}}

• Lasers for inter-satellite communication{{cite news |url=https://spacenews.com/all-future-starlink-satellites-will-have-laser-crosslinks/ |title=All future Starlink satellites will have laser crosslinks |last=Rainbow |first=Jason |work=SpaceNews |date=August 26, 2021|access-date=June 6, 2022}}
• Mass: ~{{cvt|1250|kg}}
• Length: ~{{cvt|7|meters}}
• Further improvements to reduce its brightness, including the use of a dielectric mirror film.
• On 2,016 of the initially licensed 7,500 satellites:{{Cite tweet |number=1600595289995345920 |user=thesheetztweetz |title=After the FCC last week authorized SpaceX to deploy 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites, the company yesterday filed a request to put payloads on 2,016 of those satellites for its direct-to-cell system with T-Mobile to enable coverage "by mid-2024." |author= Michael Sheetz |date= December 7, 2022|access-date=December 27, 2022}} Gen2 Starlink satellites will also include an approximately 25 square meter antenna that would allow T-Mobile subscribers to be able to communicate directly via satellite through their regular mobile devices. It will be implemented via a German-licensed hosted payload developed together with SpaceX's subsidiary Swarm Technologies and T-Mobile. This hardware is supplemental to the existing K_u-band and K_a-band systems, and inter-satellite laser links, that have been on the first generation satellites launching as of mid-2022.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}

In October 2022, SpaceX revealed the configuration of early v2s to be launched on Falcon 9.{{cite web |title=Re: IBFS File Nos. SAT-LOA-20200526-00055 and SAT-AMD-20210818-00105. Exhibit B. Satellite dimensions and DAS outputs. |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=17429628 |date= October 4, 2022|access-date=January 21, 2023}} In May 2023, SpaceX introduced two more form factors with direct-to-cellular (DtC) capability.{{cite web |title=Consolidated opposition to petitions and response to comments of SpaceX. Exhibit A. satellite dimensions and DAS outputs. |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=22627897 |date=May 30, 2023|access-date=October 22, 2023}}

• Bus F9-1, 303 kg (668 lbs) mass, having roughly the same dimensions and mass as V1.5 satellites. Deployed in Group 5 (see constellation design section).{{cite news |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/12/spacex-starlink-5-1-launch/ |title=SpaceX begins launching Starlink second generation constellation |last=Romera |first=Alejandro |work=NASASpaceFlight.com |date= December 28, 2022 |access-date=October 22, 2023}}
• Bus F9-2 (typically called "v2 mini"), up to 800 kg (1,764 lbs) mass and measuring {{cvt|4.1|m}} by {{cvt|2.7|m}} with a total array of {{cvt|120|m2}}. The Solar arrays are 2 in number. It could offer around 3–4 times more usable bandwidth per satellite.{{cite web |url=https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-first-starlink-gen2-satellite-launch-2022/ |title=SpaceX might launch first Starlink Gen2 satellites next week |date=December 22, 2022}} They are smaller than Starlink's original ones (and so can be launched on Falcon 9) and have four times the capacity to the ground station to increase speed and capacity. This is due to a more efficient array of antennas and the use of radio frequencies in the W band (E band waveguide) range. They were deployed in Groups 6 and 7 (see constellation design section).{{cite news |url= https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-first-upgraded-starlink-satellites/ |title=SpaceX launches first upgraded Starlink satellites |last=Foust |first=Jeff |work=SpaceNews |date=February 28, 2023 |access-date=October 22, 2023}}
• Bus F9-3, F9-2 with direct-to-cellular capability. The bus length increased to {{cvt|7.4|m}}. Mass increased to 970 kg (2,152 lbs). Deployed in Group 7 (see constellation design section).
• Bus Starship-1 (planned), 2000 kg (4,409 lbs) mass and measuring {{cvt|6.4|m}} by {{cvt|2.7|m}} with a total array of {{cvt|257|m2}}.
• Bus Starship-2 (planned), Starship-1 with direct-to-cellular capability. The bus length increased to {{cvt|10.1|m}}.

The first six F9-3 satellites with direct-to-cellular (DtC) capability were launched on January 2, 2024, in Groups 7–9.{{cite web |title= Starlink Mission |url=https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-9 |access-date=December 31, 2023}}

{{further|List of Starlink launches}}

Between February 2018 and May 2024, SpaceX successfully launched over 6,000 Starlink satellites into orbit, including prototypes and satellites that later failed or were de-orbited before entering operational service. In March 2020, SpaceX reported producing six satellites per day.{{cite news |date=March 9, 2020 |title=SpaceX raising over US$500 million, double what Elon Musk's company planned to bring in |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/09/spacex-raising-500-million-in-new-funding-for-elon-musks-company.html|url-status=live|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160144/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/09/spacex-raising-500-million-in-new-funding-for-elon-musks-company.html|archive-date=November 17, 2020}}

The deployment of the first 1,440 satellites was planned in 72 orbital planes of 20 satellites each,{{cite web |date=September 3, 2020 |title=SpaceX launches more Starlink satellites, beta testing well underway |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/09/03/spacex-launches-more-starlink-satellites-beta-testing-well-underway/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160244/https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/09/03/spacex-launches-more-starlink-satellites-beta-testing-well-underway/ |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=September 4, 2020 |publisher=Spaceflight Now}} with a requested lower minimum elevation angle of beams to improve reception: 25° rather than the 40° of the other two orbital shells.{{rp|17}} SpaceX launched the first 60 satellites of the constellation in May 2019 into a {{cvt|550|km}} orbit and expected up to six launches in 2019 at that time, with 720 satellites (12 × 60) for continuous coverage in 2020.{{cite tweet |author=SpaceX |author-link=SpaceX |user=SpaceX |number=1131946588597829634 |date=May 24, 2019 |title=Falcon 9 launches 60 Starlink satellites to orbit – targeting up to 6 Starlink launches this year and will accelerate our cadence next year to put ~720 satellites in orbit for continuous coverage of most populated areas on Earth https://t.co/HF8bCI4JQD |language=en |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229133542/https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1131946588597829634 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.n2yo.com//satellite/?s=74001 |title=Technical details for satellite Starlink Group |publisher=N2YO.com|access-date=June 1, 2019|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160134/https://www.n2yo.com//satellite/?s=74001|url-status=live}}

Starlink satellites are also planned to launch on Starship, an under-development rocket of SpaceX with a much larger payload capability. The initial announcement included plans to launch 400 Starlink (version 1.0) satellites at a time.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/27/spacex-president-we-will-land-starship-on-moon-before-2022.html |title=SpaceX wants to land Starship on the moon within three years, president says, with people soon after |date=October 27, 2019|access-date=October 28, 2019|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160144/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/27/spacex-president-we-will-land-starship-on-moon-before-2022.html|url-status=live}} Current plans now call for Starship to be the only launch vehicle to be used to launch the much larger Starlink version 2.0.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

File:Starlink SpaceX 1584 satellites 72 Planes 22each.png

In March 2017, SpaceX filed plans with the FCC to field a second orbital shell of more than 7,500 "V-band satellites in non-geosynchronous orbits to provide communications services" in an electromagnetic spectrum that has not previously been heavily employed for commercial communications services. Called the "Very-low Earth orbit (VLEO) constellation", it was to have comprised 7,518 satellites that were to orbit at just {{cvt|340|km}} altitude, while the smaller, originally planned group of 4,425 satellites would operate in the K_a- and K_u-bands and orbit at {{cvt|1200|km}} altitude.{{cite news |last=Henry |first=Caleb |url=http://spacenews.com/fcc-gets-five-new-applications-for-non-geostationary-satellite-constellations/ |title=FCC gets five new applications for non-geostationary satellite constellations |publisher=SpaceNews |date=March 2, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2023}}{{cite news |last=Henry |first=Caleb |url=http://spacenews.com/spacex-asks-fcc-to-make-exception-for-leo-constellations-in-connect-america-fund-decisions/ |title=SpaceX asks FCC to make exception for LEO constellations in Connect America Fund decisions |publisher=SpaceNews |date=September 19, 2017|access-date=May 23, 2019|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200923212553/https://spacenews.com/spacex-asks-fcc-to-make-exception-for-leo-constellations-in-connect-america-fund-decisions/|url-status=live}} By 2022, SpaceX had withdrawn plans to field the 7,518-satellite V-band system, superseding it with a more comprehensive design for a second-generation (Gen2) Starlink network.

In November 2018, SpaceX received U.S. regulatory approval to deploy 7,518 V-band broadband satellites, in addition to the 4,425 approved earlier;{{cite web |date=October 25, 2018 |title=Authorizing SpaceX V-Band Constellation Deployment & Operation |url=https://www.fcc.gov/document/authorizing-spacex-v-band-constellation-deployment-operation|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509084117/https://www.fcc.gov/document/authorizing-spacex-v-band-constellation-deployment-operation|archive-date=May 9, 2021 |website=FCC}}{{cite news |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/11/spacex-gets-fcc-approval-for-7500-more-broadband-satellites/ |title=FCC tells SpaceX it can deploy up to 11,943 broadband satellites |publisher=Ars Technica |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |date=March 30, 2018|access-date=March 25, 2019|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160132/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/11/spacex-gets-fcc-approval-for-7500-more-broadband-satellites/|url-status=live}} however, the V-band plans were subsequently withdrawn by 2022. At the same time, SpaceX also made new regulatory filings with the U.S. FCC to request the ability to alter its previously granted license in order to operate approximately 1,600 of the 4,425 Ka-/Ku-band satellites approved for operation at {{cvt|1150|km}} in a "new lower shell of the constellation" at only {{cvt|550|km}}{{cite web |last=Roulette |first=Joey |date=April 9, 2021 |title=OneWeb, SpaceX satellites dodged a potential collision in orbit |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/9/22374262/oneweb-spacex-satellites-dodged-potential-collision-orbit-space-force|access-date=April 14, 2021 |website=The Verge |language=en|archive-date=April 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414094901/https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/9/22374262/oneweb-spacex-satellites-dodged-potential-collision-orbit-space-force|url-status=live}} orbital altitude.{{citation |contribution=Application for Fixed Satellite Service by Space Exploration Holdings, LLC |title=SAT-MOD-20181108-00083/SATMOD2018110800083|editor-last=Wiltshire|editor-first=William M. |publisher=FCC |url=https://fcc.report |date=November 18, 2018|contribution-url=https://fcc.report/IBFS/SAT-MOD-20181108-00083|access-date=March 24, 2019 |quote=Space Exploration Holdings, LLC seeks to modify its Ku/Ka-band NGSO license to relocate satellites previously authorized to operate at an altitude of {{cvt|1150|km}} to an altitude of {{cvt|550|km}}, and to make related changes to the operations of the satellites in this new lower shell of the constellation|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160126/https://fcc.report/|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}}{{cite web |url=https://fcc.report/IBFS/SAT-MOD-20181108-00083/1569860 |title=SpaceX non-geostationary satellite system, Attachment A, Technical Information to Supplement Schedule S, U.S. Federal Communications Commission |date=November 8, 2018|access-date=November 23, 2018|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160058/https://fcc.report/IBFS/SAT-MOD-20181108-00083/1569860|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}} These satellites would effectively operate in a third orbital shell, a {{cvt|550|km}} orbit, while the higher and lower orbits at approximately {{cvt|1200|km}} and approximately {{cvt|340|km}} would be used only later, once a considerably larger deployment of satellites becomes possible in the later years of the deployment process. The FCC approved the request in April 2019, giving approval to place nearly 12,000 satellites in three orbital shells: initially approximately 1,600 in a {{cvt|550|km}} – altitude shell, and subsequently placing approximately 2,800 Ku- and Ka-band spectrum satellites at {{cvt|1150|km}} and approximately 7,500 V-band satellites at {{cvt|340|km}}.{{cite news |last=Henry |first=Caleb |url=https://spacenews.com/fcc-oks-lower-orbit-for-some-starlink-satellites/ |title=FCC OKs lower orbit for some Starlink satellites |publisher=SpaceNews |date=April 26, 2019|access-date=April 28, 2019 |quote=lower the orbit of nearly 1,600 of its proposed broadband satellites. The Federal Communications Commission said 26 April 2019 it was correct with SpaceX changing its plans to orbit those satellites at {{cvt|550|km}} instead of {{cvt|1150|km}}. SpaceX says the adjustment, requested six months ago, will make a safer space environment, since any defunct satellites at the lower altitude would reenter the Earth's atmosphere in five years even without propulsion. The lower orbit also means more distance between Starlink and competing Internet constellations proposed by OneWeb and Telesat. FCC approval allows satellite companies to provide communications services in the United States. The agency granted SpaceX market access in March 2018 for 4,425 satellites using Ku-band and Ka-band spectrum, and authorized 7,518 V-band satellites in November 2018. SpaceX's modified plans apply to the smaller of the two constellations.|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160100/https://spacenews.com/fcc-oks-lower-orbit-for-some-starlink-satellites/|url-status=live}} In total, nearly 12,000 satellites were planned to be deployed, with (as of 2019) a possible later extension to 42,000.{{cite news |date=October 15, 2019 |title=SpaceX submits paperwork for 30,000 more Starlink satellites |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-submits-paperwork-for-30000-more-starlink-satellites/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191015180034/https://spacenews.com/spacex-submits-paperwork-for-30000-more-starlink-satellites/ |archive-date=October 15, 2019}}

In February 2019, a sister company of SpaceX, SpaceX Services Incorporated, filed a request with the FCC to receive a license for the operation of up to a million fixed satellite Earth stations that would communicate with its non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite Starlink system.{{cite web |url=https://fcc.report/IBFS/SES-LIC-INTR2019-00217/1616678 |title=SpaceX Services Application for Blanket-licensed Earth stations |website=fcc.report |publisher=FCC |date=February 1, 2019|access-date=February 9, 2019|archive-date=May 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529075424/https://fcc.report/IBFS/SES-LIC-INTR2019-00217/1616678|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}}

In June 2019, SpaceX applied to the FCC for a license to test up to 270 ground terminals – 70 nationwide across the United States and 200 in Washington state at SpaceX employee homes{{cite web |title=FCC Form 442 – Application for new or modified radio station under Part 5 of FCC rules – Experimental radio service: 0517-EX-CN-2019 |url=https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/442_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=93257&license_seq=94236 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160150/https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/442_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=93257&license_seq=94236 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=July 4, 2019 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} {{PD-notice}}{{cite web |date=June 2019 |title=0517-EX-CN-2019 – Application Question 7: Purpose of Experiment |url=https://fcc.report/ELS/Space-Exploration-Holdings-LLC/0517-EX-CN-2019/232942.pdf|access-date=July 4, 2019 |publisher=FCC |quote=SpaceX seeks experimental authority for two types of testing: (1) a total of 70 user terminals (mixed between the two types of antennas) so that it can test multiple devices at a number of geographically dispersed locations throughout the United States; and (2) up to 200 phased array user terminals to be deployed within the state of Washington at the homes of SpaceX employees for ongoing testing. Such authority would enable SpaceX to obtain critical data regarding the operational performance of these user terminals and the SpaceX NGSO system.}}{{PD-notice}} – and aircraft-borne antenna operation from four distributed United States airfields; as well as five ground-to-ground test locations.{{cite web |title=FCC Form 442 – Application for New or Modified Radio Station Under Part 5 of FCC Rules – Experimental Radio Service: 0515-EX-CN-2019 |url=https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/442_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=93244&license_seq=94223 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160146/https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/442_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=93244&license_seq=94223 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=July 4, 2019 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} {{PD-notice}}{{cite web |date=June 2019 |title=Application question 7: Purpose of Experiment |url=https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=233157&x |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160127/https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=233157&x= |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=July 4, 2019 |publisher=FCC |quote=SpaceX seeks an experimental authorization to test activities ... tests are designed to demonstrate the ability to transmit and receive information (1) between five ground sites ("Ground-to-Ground") and (2) between four ground sites and an airborne aircraft ("Ground-to-Air") ... This application seeks only to use an Earth station to transmit signals to the SpaceX satellites first from the ground and later from a moving aircraft.}} {{PD-notice}}

On October 15, 2019, the United States FCC submitted filings to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on SpaceX's behalf to arrange spectrum for 30,000 additional Starlink satellites to supplement the 12,000 Starlink satellites already approved by the FCC. That month, Musk publicly tested the Starlink network by using an Internet connection routed through the network to post a first tweet to social media site Twitter.{{cite tweet |last=Musk |first=Elon |author-link=Elon Musk |user=elonmusk |number=1186523464712146944 |date=October 22, 2019 |title=Sending this tweet through space via Starlink satellite 🛰 |language=en |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121222826/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1186523464712146944 |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |url-status=live}}

The chart below contains all v0.9 and first generation satellites (Tintin A and Tintin B, as test satellites, are not included).

Early designs had all phase 1 satellites in altitudes of around {{cvt|1100–1300|km}}. SpaceX initially requested to lower the first 1584 satellites, and in April 2020 requested to lower all other higher satellite orbits to about {{cvt|550|km}}.{{cite news |date=April 21, 2020 |title=SpaceX Seeks FCC Permission for Operating All First-Gen Starlink in Lower Orbit |publisher=SpaceNews |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-seeks-fcc-permission-for-operating-all-first-gen-starlink-in-lower-orbit/|url-status=live|access-date=June 14, 2020|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20200422161329/https://spacenews.com/spacex%2Dseeks%2Dfcc%2Dpermission%2Dfor%2Doperating%2Dall%2Dfirst%2Dgen%2Dstarlink%2Din%2Dlower%2Dorbit/|archive-date=April 22, 2020}}{{cite web |date=April 17, 2020 |title=Application for Fixed Satellite Service by Space Exploration Holdings, LLC [SAT-MOD-20200417-00037] |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/ib/forms/reports/swr031b.hts?q_set=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC/File+Number/%3D/SATMOD2020041700037&prepare=&column=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC/File+Number|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160336/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/ib/forms/reports/swr031b.hts?q_set=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC%2FFile+Number%2F%3D%2FSATMOD2020041700037&prepare=&column=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC%2FFile+Number|archive-date=November 17, 2020|access-date=January 26, 2021 |website=fcc.report |publisher=FCC |quote=Space Exploration Holdings, LLC seeks to modify its Ku/Ka−band NGSO license to relocate satellites previously authorized to operate at altitudes from 1110 km to 1325 km down to altitudes ranging from 540 km to 570 km, and to make related changes.}} {{PD-notice}} In April 2020, SpaceX modified the architecture of the Starlink network.{{cite web |date=April 17, 2020 |title=Spacex V-Band Non-Geostationary Satellite System |url=https://fcc.report/IBFS/SAT-MOD-20200417-00037/2274316.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019221725/https://fcc.report/IBFS/SAT-MOD-20200417-00037/2274316.pdf |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |website=FCC |page=3}} SpaceX submitted an application to the FCC proposing to operate more satellites in lower orbits in the first phase than the FCC previously authorized. The first phase will still include 1,440 satellites in the first shell orbiting at {{cvt|550|km}} in planes inclined 53.0°, with no change to the first shell of the constellation launched largely in 2020.{{cite web |date=April 21, 2020 |title=SpaceX modifies Starlink network design |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/04/21/spacex-modifies-starlink-network-design-as-another-60-satellites-gear-up-for-launch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160117/https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/04/21/spacex-modifies-starlink-network-design-as-another-60-satellites-gear-up-for-launch/ |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=April 22, 2020 |publisher=Spaceflight Now}} SpaceX also applied in the United States for use of the E-band in their constellation{{cite web |date=May 26, 2020 |title=Starlink Gen2 FCC Application Narrative Attachment |url=https://fcc.report/IBFS/SAT-LOA-20200526-00055/2378669 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160150/https://fcc.report/IBFS/SAT-LOA-20200526-00055/2378669 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2020 |publisher=FCC}} {{PD-notice}} The FCC approved the application in April 2021.{{cite news |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |date=April 27, 2021 |title=FCC approves SpaceX change to its Starlink network, a win despite objections from Amazon and others |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/27/fcc-approves-spacex-starlink-modification-despite-objections.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427184844/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/27/fcc-approves-spacex-starlink-modification-despite-objections.html |archive-date=April 27, 2021 |access-date=April 27, 2021 |work=CNBC}}{{cite news |date=April 27, 2021 |title=U.S. FCC approves SpaceX satellite deployment plan |publisher=Yahoo Finance |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fcc-votes-approve-spacex-satellite-135545524.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427140512/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fcc-votes-approve-spacex-satellite-135545524.html |archive-date=April 27, 2021}}

On January 24, 2021 SpaceX released a new group of 10 Starlink satellites, the first Starlink satellites in polar orbits. The launch surpassed ISRO's record of launching the most satellites in one mission (143), taking to 1,025 the cumulative number of satellites deployed for Starlink to that date.{{cite web |date=January 20, 2021 |title=SpaceX surpasses 1,000-satellite mark in latest Starlink launch |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-surpasses-1000-satellite-mark-in-latest-starlink-launch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001025115/https://spacenews.com/spacex-surpasses-1000-satellite-mark-in-latest-starlink-launch/ |archive-date=October 1, 2021 |access-date=January 27, 2021 |website=SpaceNews}}{{cite web |date=January 24, 2021 |title=SpaceX smashes record with launch of 143 small satellites |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/01/24/spacex-launches-record-setting-rideshare-mission-with-143-small-satellites/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125030820/https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/01/24/spacex-launches-record-setting-rideshare-mission-with-143-small-satellites/ |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |access-date=January 25, 2021 |publisher=Spaceflight Now}}

On February 3, 2022, 49 satellites were launched as Starlink Group 4–7. A G2-rated geomagnetic storm occurred on February 4, caused the atmosphere to warm and density at the low deployment altitudes to increase. Predictions were that up to 40 of the 49 satellites might be lost due to drag.{{cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=February 9, 2022 |title=Dozens of Starlink satellites from latest launch to reenter after geomagnetic storm |url=https://spacenews.com/dozens-of-starlink-satellites-from-latest-launch-to-reenter-after-geomagnetic-storm/ |access-date=February 9, 2022 |work=SpaceNews}} After the event, 38 satellites reentered the atmosphere by February 12 while the remaining 11 were able to raise their orbits and avoid loss due to the storm.{{cite tweet |number=1492964347794325506 |user=planet4589 |title=Object 51470, one of the failed Starlink satellites from the recent launch, reentered at 1708 UTC Feb 12 off the coast of California. I believe this to be the last of the failed satellites to reenter; the remaining 11 satellites still being tracked are slowly raising their orbits|author-link=Jonathan McDowell |date=February 13, 2022|access-date=February 19, 2022 |last=McDowell |first=Jonathan}}{{cite news |date=February 3, 2022 |title=Geomagnetic storm and recently deployed Starlink satellites |work=SpaceX |url=https://www.spacex.com/updates/ |access-date=February 8, 2022}}

In March 2023, SpaceX submitted an application to add V-band payload to the second generation satellites rather than fly phase 2 V-band satellites as originally planned and authorized.{{cite web |title=SpaceX seeks to modify its V-band license so that it may deploy and operate up to 7,500 V-band payloads on satellites launched into its Gen2 system |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/ib/forms/reports/swr031b.hts?q_set=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC/File+Number/%3D/SATMOD2023032200062&prepare=&column=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC/File+Number |date=March 22, 2023|access-date=August 23, 2023}} The request is subject to FCC approval.

{{notelist}}

File:STARLINK 12 FEB 2023 LAUNCH PLUS 19 HOURS.ogg

With the unknown of when Starship will be able to launch the second generation satellites, SpaceX modified the original V2 blueprint into a smaller, more compact one named "v2 mini". This adjustment allowed Falcon 9 to transport these satellites, though not as many, into orbit.{{Cite tweet |author-link=SpaceX |user=SpaceX |number=1629898468373192707 |title=We call them "V2 Mini". They represent a step forward in Starlink capability |date=February 26, 2023 |access-date=March 4, 2023}} The first set of 21 of these satellites was launched on February 27, 2023. SpaceX committed to reducing debris by keeping the Starlink tension rods, which hold the V2 mini-satellites together, attached to the Falcon 9 second stage. These tension rods were discarded into orbit while launching earlier versions of Starlink satellites.{{Cite web |title=SpaceX |url=http://www.spacex.com/ |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=SpaceX |language=en}} {{full citation needed|date=July 2023}} Observations confirm these V2 mini-satellites host two solar panels like the Starship V2 satellites.{{Cite tweet |author=GewoonLukas_ |user=GewoonLukas_ |number=1633003628221833216 |title=Image of a Starlink V2 Mini satellite in orbit. This also confirms that V2 Mini satellites gave 2 solar arrays xompared to the V1.5 satellites which have 1 solar array. |date=March 7, 2023 |access-date=March 7, 2023}}

SpaceX planned to test the deployment system for a new version of their Starlink satellites. On 16 January 2025, S33 was also expected to deploy ten Starlink "simulators," which were also expected to reenter over the Indian Ocean.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} Contact with S33 was lost shortly before its engines were scheduled to shut down.{{Cite web |last=Wattles |first=Jackie |date=2025-01-16 |title=SpaceX executes second-ever 'chopsticks' booster catch but Starship spacecraft is lost |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/16/science/spacex-starship-megarocket-test-launch/index.html |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=CNN |language=en}}

File:Starlink Satellites Imaged from CTIO.jpg in November 2019]]

File:Starlink über dem Rathaus in Tübingen.jpg, Germany]]

File:The Case for Space Environmentalism Fig 5.png]]

File:Starlink Satellites Overhead.jpg

The planned large number of satellites has been met with criticism from the astronomical community because of concerns over light pollution.{{cite news |title=After SpaceX Starlink Launch, a Fear of Satellites That Outnumber All Visible Stars |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/01/science/starlink-spacex-astronomers.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 2019|access-date=June 3, 2019|archive-date=August 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821011421/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/01/science/starlink-spacex-astronomers.html|url-status=live |last1=Hall |first1=Shannon}}{{cite news |title=The unexpected brightness of new satellites could ruin the night sky |newspaper=The Economist |date=May 30, 2019 |url=https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2019/05/30/the-unexpected-brightness-of-new-satellites-could-ruin-the-night-sky|access-date=June 3, 2019|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160416/https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2019/05/30/the-unexpected-brightness-of-new-satellites-could-ruin-the-night-sky|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=SpaceX's Starlink Could Change The Night Sky Forever, And Astronomers Are Not Happy |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanocallaghan/2019/05/27/spacexs-starlink-could-change-the-night-sky-forever-and-astronomers-are-not-happy/ |work=Forbes|access-date=June 3, 2019|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160330/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanocallaghan/2019/05/27/spacexs-starlink-could-change-the-night-sky-forever-and-astronomers-are-not-happy/|url-status=live}} Astronomers claim that their brightness in both optical and radio wavelengths will severely impact scientific observations. While astronomers can schedule observations to avoid pointing where satellites currently orbit, it is "getting more difficult" as more satellites come online.{{Cite news |date=February 3, 2022 |title=Megaconstellations like SpaceX's Starlink may interfere with search for life by world's largest radio telescope |language=en-US |work=Space.com |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-affects-search-for-life-radio-observatory|access-date=February 8, 2022}} The International Astronomical Union (IAU), National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), and Square Kilometre Array Organization (SKAO) have released official statements expressing concern on the matter. Recent studies have proved that the "unintended electromagnetic radiation" affects radio telescopes creating distortions and excessive noise and the IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference was created to manage these new man-made obstacles to space exploration.{{cite web |url=https://www.iau.org/news/announcements/detail/ann19035/ |title=IAU's statement on satellite constellations |publisher=International Astronomical Union|access-date=June 3, 2019|archive-date=May 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527073625/https://www.iau.org/news/announcements/detail/ann19035/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Statement on Starlink and "Constellations" of Communication Satellites |url=https://public.nrao.edu/news/nrao-statement-commsats/ |publisher=National Radio Astronomy Observatory|access-date=June 3, 2019|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160310/https://public.nrao.edu/news/nrao-statement-commsats/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=SKAO needs corrective measures from satellite "mega-constellation" operators to minimise impact on its telescopes |url=https://www.skatelescope.org/news/skao-satellite-impact-analysis/ |publisher=Square Kilometre Array Organization |date=October 7, 2020|access-date=October 15, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160310/https://www.skatelescope.org/news/skao-satellite-impact-analysis/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=New observations confirm unintended emissions from satellite constellations {{!}} SKAO |url=https://www.skao.int/index.php/en/news/478/new-observations-confirm-unintended-emissions-satellite-constellations |access-date=June 24, 2024 |website=www.skao.int |language=en}}

On November 20, 2019, the four-meter (13') Blanco telescope of the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) recorded strong signal loss{{clarify|date=December 2023}} and the appearance of 19 white lines on a DECam shot (right image). This image noise was correlated to the transit of a Starlink satellite train, launched a week earlier.{{cite web |url=https://nationalastro.org/news/starlink-satellites-imaged-from-ctio/ |title=Starlink Satellites Imaged from CTIO — IOTW1946 |work=NOIRLab |date=November 20, 2019|access-date=May 3, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160314/https://noirlab.edu/public/images/iotw1946a/|url-status=live}}

SpaceX representatives and Musk have claimed that the satellites will have minimal impact, being easily mitigated by pixel masking and image stacking.{{cite web |title=Sightings of SpaceX's Starlink satellites spark awe — and astronomical angst |date=May 25, 2019 |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2019/sightings-spacexs-starlink-satellites-spark-awe-astronomical-angst/ |publisher=Geek Wire|access-date=June 3, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160333/https://www.geekwire.com/2019/sightings-spacexs-starlink-satellites-spark-awe-astronomical-angst/|url-status=live}} However, professional astronomers have disputed these claims based on initial observation of the Starlink v0.9 satellites on the first launch, shortly after their deployment from the launch vehicle.{{cite tweet |user=markmccaughrean |first=Mark |last=McCaughrean |number=1132394346945421317 |date=May 25, 2019 |title=If predictions are correct that 400–500 Starlink satellites about that bright will also be visible *all the time*}}{{cite tweet |last=Mack |first=Katie |user=AstroKatie |number=1132377572170452992 |date=May 25, 2019 |title=SpaceX just launched 60 new satellites, which have been spotted as a chain of bright lights across the sky. As more are launched and orbits change, this could be a very big problem for ground-based astronomy. Musk's offhand "they can't be seen at night" is not true or reassuring. https://t.co/OwbsPJOw9H |language=en |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229190706/https://twitter.com/AstroKatie/status/1132377572170452992 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite tweet |number=1132408926811643905 |user=jrlomax |title=@AstroKatie Even if they were only visible at dusk and dawn as claimed, they would still affect our data because we take calibrations then. Dusk/dawn flats are hard enough to take as is. Having a subset of 12,000 bright things running through those exposures would be infuriating. |author=Jamie R. Lomax |date=May 25, 2019 |access-date=February 5, 2022 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207195715/https://twitter.com/jrlomax/status/1132408926811643905 |archive-date=February 7, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite tweet |last=Parker |first=Alex |user=Alex_Parker |number=1132163931378610178 |date=May 25, 2019 |title=I know people are excited about those images of the train of SpaceX Starlink satellites, but it gives me pause. They're bright, and there are going to be a lot of them. If SpaceX launches all 12,000, they will outnumber stars visible to the naked eye. |language=en |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222150705/https://twitter.com/Alex_Parker/status/1132163931378610178 |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |url-status=live}} In later statements on Twitter, Musk stated that SpaceX will work on reducing the albedo of the satellites and will provide on-demand orientation adjustments for astronomical experiments, if necessary.{{cite tweet |last=Musk |first=Elon |author-link=Elon Musk |user=elonmusk |number=1132902372458418176 |date=May 27, 2019 |title=@13ericralph31 @varunversion1 @Erdayastronaut @SpaceX If we need to tweak sat orientation to minimize solar reflection during critical astronomical experiments, that's easily done. Most orbital objects are close to Earth btw, as shown by this NASA density map. https://t.co/83MwIZAEP6 https://t.co/NllMXregRg |language=en |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108101158/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1132902372458418176 |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite tweet |last=Musk |first=Elon |author-link=Elon Musk |user=elonmusk |number=1132908689860415488 |date=May 27, 2019 |title=@Cosmic_Penguin Agreed, sent a note to Starlink team last week specifically regarding albedo reduction. We'll get a better sense of value of this when satellites have raised orbits & arrays are tracking to the sun. |language=en |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107005704/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1132908689860415488 |archive-date=January 7, 2022 |url-status=live}} One Starlink satellite (Starlink 1130 / DarkSat) launched with an experimental coating to reduce its albedo. The reduction in g-band magnitude is 0.8 magnitude (55%).{{cite arXiv |eprint=2003.07805 |last1=Mallama |first1=Anthony |title=A Flat-Panel Brightness Model for the Starlink Satellites and Measurement of their Absolute Visual Magnitude |year=2020 |class=astro-ph.IM}}{{cite journal |arxiv=2003.07251 |doi=10.1051/0004-6361/202037958 |title=First observations and magnitude measurement of Starlink's Darksat |year=2020 |last1=Tregloan-Reed |first1=J. |last2=Otarola |first2=A. |last3=Ortiz |first3=E. |last4=Molina |first4=V. |last5=Anais |first5=J. |last6=González |first6=R. |last7=Colque |first7=J. P. |last8=Unda-Sanzana |first8=E. |s2cid=212725531 |journal=Astronomy & Astrophysics |volume=637 |page=L1 |bibcode=2020A&A...637L...1T}} Despite these measures, astronomers found that the satellites were still too bright, thus making DarkSat essentially a "dead end".{{cite web |last=Zhang |first=Emily |title=SpaceX's Dark Satellites Are Still Too Bright for Astronomers |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spacexs-dark-satellites-are-still-too-bright-for-astronomers/|access-date=December 24, 2020 |publisher=Scientific American|archive-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102065559/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spacexs-dark-satellites-are-still-too-bright-for-astronomers/|url-status=live}}

On April 17, 2020, SpaceX wrote in an FCC filing that it would test new methods of mitigating light pollution, and also provide access to satellite tracking data for astronomers to "better coordinate their observations with our satellites".{{cite web |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/04/28/spacex-to-debut-satellite-dimming-sunshade-on-starlink-launch-next-month/ |title=SpaceX to debut satellite-dimming sunshade on Starlink launch next month |publisher=Spaceflight Now |date=April 28, 2020|access-date=April 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160219/https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/04/28/spacex-to-debut-satellite-dimming-sunshade-on-starlink-launch-next-month/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/04/22/spacexs-starlink-network-surpasses-400-satellite-mark-after-successful-launch/ |title=SpaceX's Starlink network surpasses 400-satellite mark after successful launch |first1=Stephen |last1=Clark |date=April 22, 2020 |publisher=Spaceflight Now|access-date=April 28, 2020|archive-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430031030/https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/04/22/spacexs-starlink-network-surpasses-400-satellite-mark-after-successful-launch/|url-status=live}} On April 27, 2020, Musk announced that the company would introduce a new sunshade designed to reduce the brightness of Starlink satellites. {{As of|2020|October|15}}, over 200 Starlink satellites had a sunshade. An October 2020 analysis found them to be only marginally fainter than DarkSat.{{cite journal |title=A Sky Brightness Model for the Starlink "Visorsat" Spacecraft |year=2020 |doi=10.3847/2515-5172/abc0e9 |last1=Cole |first1=Richard E. |journal=Research Notes of the AAS |volume=4 |issue=10 |page=182 |arxiv=2107.06026 |bibcode=2020RNAAS...4..182C |s2cid=228996341|doi-access=free}} A January 2021 study pinned the brightness at 31% of the original design.{{cite arXiv |eprint=2101.00374 |class=astro-ph.IM |first=Anthony |last=Mallama |title=The Brightness of VisorSat-Design Starlink Satellites |date=January 2, 2021}}

According to a May 2021 study, "A large number of fast-moving transmitting stations (i.e. satellites) will cause further interference. New analysis methods could mitigate some of these effects, but data loss is inevitable, increasing the time needed for each study and limiting the overall amount of science done".{{Cite journal |last1=Boley |first1=Aaron C. |last2=Byers |first2=Michael |date=May 20, 2021 |title=Satellite mega-constellations create risks in Low Earth Orbit, the atmosphere and on Earth |journal=Scientific Reports |volume=11 |issue=1 |page=10642 |doi=10.1038/s41598-021-89909-7 |pmid=34017017 |issn=2045-2322 |pmc=8137964 |bibcode=2021NatSR..1110642B}}

In February 2022, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) established a center to help astronomers deal with the adverse effects of satellite constellations such as Starlink. Work will include the development of software tools for astronomers, advancement of national and international policies, community outreach and work with industry on relevant technologies.{{cite web |date=February 5, 2022 |title=New center to coordinate work to mitigate the effect of satellite constellations on astronomy |url=https://spacenews.com/new-center-to-coordinate-work-to-mitigate-effect-of-satellite-constellations-on-astronomy/|access-date=February 7, 2022 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}

In June 2022, the IAU released a website for astronomers to deal with some adverse effects via satellite tracking. This will enable astronomers to be able to track satellites to be able to avoid and time them for minimal impact on current work.

The first batch of Generation 2 spacecraft was launched in February 2023. These satellites are referred to as "Mini" because they are smaller than the full-sized Gen 2 spacecraft that will come later. SpaceX uses brightness mitigation for Gen 2 that includes a mirror-like surface which reflects sunlight back into space and they orient the solar panels so that observers on the ground only see the dark sides.{{Cite web |url=https://api.starlink.com/public-files/BrightnessMitigationBestPracticesSatelliteOperators.pdf |title=Brightness mitigation best practices for satellite operators}}

The Minis are fainter than Gen 1 spacecraft despite being four times as large according to an observational study published in June 2023. They are 44% as bright as VisorSats, 24% compared to V1.5 and 19% compared to the original design which had no brightness mitigation.{{Rp|Table 3}} Minis appear 12 times brighter before they reach the target orbit.{{cite report |author1=Mallama, A. |author2=Cole, R. E. |author3=Harrington, S. |author4=Hornig, A. |author5=Respler, J. |author6=Worley, A. |author7=Lee, R. |date=June 11, 2023 |title=Starlink Generation 2 Mini satellites: photometric characterization |arxiv=2306.06657}}

In October 2023, research published in "Astronomy and Astrophysics Letters" had reportedly found that Starlink satellites were "leaking radio signals" finding that at the site of the future Square Kilometer Array, radio emissions from Starlink satellites were brighter than any natural source in the sky.{{Cite web |last=Tingay |first=Steven |date=October 13, 2023 |title=Starlink satellites are 'leaking' signals that interfere with our most sensitive radio telescopes |url=http://theconversation.com/starlink-satellites-are-leaking-signals-that-interfere-with-our-most-sensitive-radio-telescopes-215250 |access-date=November 19, 2023 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}} The paper concluded that these emissions will be "detrimental to key SKA science goals without future mitigation".{{Cite journal |title=Detection of intended and unintended emissions from Starlink satellites in the SKA-Low frequency range, at the SKA-Low site, with an SKA-Low station analog |journal=International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research |date=2023 |doi=10.1051/0004-6361/202347654 |arxiv=2309.15672 |last1=Grigg |first1=D. |last2=Tingay |first2=S. J. |last3=Sokolowski |first3=M. |last4=Wayth |first4=R. B. |last5=Indermuehle |first5=B. |last6=Prabu |first6=S. |volume=678 |pages=L6 |bibcode=2023A&A...678L...6G |s2cid=263152648}}

The large number of satellites employed by Starlink may create the long-term danger of space debris resulting from placing thousands of satellites in orbit and the risk of causing a satellite collision, potentially triggering a cascade phenomenon known as Kessler syndrome.{{cite web |last=O'Callaghan |first=Jonathan |date=May 13, 2019 |title=SpaceX's Starlink Could Cause Cascades of Space Junk |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spacexs-starlink-could-cause-cascades-of-space-junk/ |publisher=Scientific American|url-status=live|access-date=August 2, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160329/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spacexs-starlink-could-cause-cascades-of-space-junk/}}[https://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/starlink-space-debris/ Does Starlink Pose a Space Debris Threat? An Expert Answers.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160315/https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/starlink-space-debris/|date=November 17, 2020}} Jan Hattenbach, Sky & Telescope, June 3, 2019 SpaceX has said that most of the satellites are launched at a lower altitude, and failed satellites are expected to deorbit within five years without propulsion.{{cite web |last1=Foust |first1=Jeff |title=Starlink failures highlight space sustainability concerns |date=July 2, 2019 |url=https://spacenews.com/starlink-failures-highlight-space-sustainability-concerns/ |publisher=SpaceNews|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=July 7, 2020|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20200707123031/https://spacenews.com/starlink%2Dfailures%2Dhighlight%2Dspace%2Dsustainability%2Dconcerns/|url-status=live}}Stephen Chen, SCMP [https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3211438/china-aims-launch-nearly-13000-satellites-suppress-elon-musks-starlink-researchers-say (24 Feb 2023) China aims to launch nearly 13,000 satellites to 'suppress' Elon Musk's Starlink, researchers say] in near-Earth orbit

Early in the program, a near-miss occurred when SpaceX did not move a satellite that had a 1 in 1,000 chance of colliding with a European one, ten times higher than the ESA's threshold for avoidance maneuvers. SpaceX subsequently fixed an issue with its paging system that had disrupted emails between the ESA and SpaceX. The ESA said it plans to invest in technologies to automate satellite collision avoidance maneuvers.{{cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/Safety_Security/ESA_spacecraft_dodges_large_constellation |title=ESA spacecraft dodges large constellation |website=esa.int|access-date=April 8, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160315/https://www.esa.int/Safety_Security/ESA_spacecraft_dodges_large_constellation|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/09/spacex-satellite-was-on-collision-course-until-esa-satellite-was-re-routed |title=SpaceX satellite was on "collision course" until ESA satellite was re-routed |website=arstechnica.com |date=September 3, 2019 |publisher=Ars Technica|access-date=April 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160331/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/09/spacex-satellite-was-on-collision-course-until-esa-satellite-was-re-routed/|url-status=live}} In 2021, Chinese authorities lodged a complaint with the United Nations, saying their space station had performed evasive maneuvers that year to avoid Starlink satellites.{{cite news |title=China anger after space station forced to move to avoid Elon Musk Starlink satellites |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/28/china-complains-to-un-after-space-station-is-forced-to-move-to-avoid-starlink-satellites|access-date=December 28, 2021 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=December 27, 2021}} In the document, Chinese delegates said that the continuously maneuvering Starlink satellites posed a risk of collision, and two close encounters with the satellites in July and October constituted dangers to the life or health of astronauts aboard the Chinese Tiangong space station.{{cite news |title=Elon Musk Faces Backlash In China After "Close Encounters" Between His Starlink Satellites And Chinese Space Station |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sergeiklebnikov/2021/12/27/elon-musk-faces-backlash-in-china-after-close-encounters-between-his-starlink-satellites-and-chinese-space-station/?sh=d6843031a614|access-date=December 28, 2021 |work=Forbes |date=December 27, 2021}}

All these reported issues, plus current plans for the extension of the constellation, motivated a formal letter from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on behalf of NASA and the NSF, submitted to the FCC on February 8, 2022, warning about the potential impact on low Earth orbit, increased collision risk, impact on science missions, rocket launches, International Space Station and radio frequencies.{{cite web |url=https://spaceref.com/status-report/nasa-letter-to-fcc-regarding-spacex-starlink-gen-2-system/ |title=NASA Letter to FCC Regarding SpaceX Starlink Gen 2 System |date=February 14, 2022}}

SpaceX satellites will maneuver if the probability of collision is greater than {{10^|-5}} (1 in 100,000 chance of collision), as opposed to the industry standard of {{10^|-4}} (1 in 10,000 chance of collision).{{cite web |title=SpaceX Constellation Status Report. December 1, 2021 – May 31, 2022. |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=16644318 |date=July 1, 2022|access-date=February 4, 2023}} SpaceX has budgeted sufficient propellant to accommodate approximately 5,000 propulsive maneuvers over the life of a Gen2 satellite, including a budget of approximately 350 collision avoidance maneuvers per satellite over that time period.

As of May 2022, the average Starlink satellite had conducted fewer than three collision-avoidance maneuvers over the 6 preceding months.

{{See also|Satellite constellation#Communications satellite constellations|Satellite internet constellation}}

In addition to the OneWeb constellation, announced nearly concurrently with the SpaceX constellation, a 2015 proposal from Samsung outlined a 4,600-satellite constellation orbiting at {{cvt|1400|km}} that could provide a zettabyte per month capacity worldwide, an equivalent of 200 gigabytes per month for 5 billion users of Internet data,{{cite news |last1=Gershgorn |first1=Dave |title=Samsung Wants To Blanket The Earth In Satellite Internet |url=http://www.popsci.com/samsung-wants-launch-thousands-satellites-bring-everyone-earth-internet|access-date=August 21, 2015 |publisher=Popular Science |date=August 17, 2015|archive-date=August 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820193642/http://www.popsci.com/samsung-wants-launch-thousands-satellites-bring-everyone-earth-internet|url-status=live}}{{cite arXiv |last1=Khan |first1=Farooq |title=Mobile Internet from the Heavens |eprint=1508.02383 |class=cs.NI |year=2015}} but by 2020, no more public information had been released about the Samsung constellation. Telesat announced a smaller 117 satellite constellation in 2015 with plans to deliver initial service in 2021.{{cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |url=http://spacenews.com/telesat-to-announce-manufacturing-plans-for-leo-constellation-in-coming-months/ |title=Telesat to announce manufacturing plans for LEO constellation in coming months |publisher=SpaceNews |date=February 18, 2018|access-date=January 1, 2023}} Amazon announced a large broadband internet satellite constellation in April 2019, planning to launch 3,236 satellites in the next decade in what the company calls "Project Kuiper", a satellite constellation that will work in concert{{cite news |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/04/amazon-project-kuiper-broadband-internet-small-satellite-network.html |title=Amazon wants to launch thousands of satellites so it can offer broadband internet from space |publisher=CNBC |date=April 4, 2019|access-date=April 4, 2019|archive-date=April 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404151556/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/04/amazon-project-kuiper-broadband-internet-small-satellite-network.html|url-status=live}} with Amazon's previously announced large network of twelve satellite ground station facilities (the "AWS ground station unit") announced in November 2018.{{cite news |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/27/amazon-launches-aws-ground-station-satellite-data-collection-service.html |title=Amazon cloud business reaches into space with satellite connection service |publisher=CNBC |date=November 27, 2018|access-date=April 4, 2019|archive-date=April 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407001146/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/27/amazon-launches-aws-ground-station-satellite-data-collection-service.html|url-status=live}}

In February 2015, financial analysts questioned established geosynchronous orbit communications satellite fleet operators as to how they intended to respond to the competitive threat of SpaceX and OneWeb LEO communication satellites.{{Cite news |last1=de Selding |first1=Peter B. |date=February 23, 2015 |title=Wall Street Grills Fleet Operators Over Mega-Constellation Threat |url=https://spacenews.com/wall-st-grills-fleet-operators-over-mega-constellation-threat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150224023647/http://spacenews.com/wall-st-grills-fleet-operators-over-mega-constellation-threat/ |archive-date=February 24, 2015 |access-date=February 24, 2015 |work=SpaceNews }} In October 2015, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell indicated that while development continues, the business case for the long-term rollout of an operational satellite network was still in an early phase.{{cite web |last=Boyle |first=Alan |date=October 27, 2015 |title=SpaceX's Gwynne Shotwell signals go-slow approach for Seattle satellite plan |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2015/spacexs-gwynne-shotwell-signals-go-slow-approach-for-seattle-satellite-operation/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160244/https://www.geekwire.com/2015/spacexs-gwynne-shotwell-signals-go-slow-approach-for-seattle-satellite-operation/|archive-date=November 17, 2020|access-date=October 28, 2015}}

By October 2017, the expectation for large increases in satellite network capacity from emerging lower-altitude broadband constellations caused market players to cancel some planned investments in new geosynchronous orbit broadband communications satellites.{{cite web |last=de Selding |first=Peter B. |url=https://www.spaceintelreport.com/panasonic-avionics-surprising-conversion-satellite-mega-constellation-believer/ |title=Panasonic Avionics' surprising conversion into a satellite mega-constellation believer |publisher=Space Intel Report |date=October 5, 2017|url-access=subscription|access-date=October 13, 2017|archive-date=October 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013120725/https://www.spaceintelreport.com/panasonic-avionics-surprising-conversion-satellite-mega-constellation-believer/ |url-status=live}}

SpaceX was challenged regarding Starlink in February 2021 when the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), a political interest group representing traditional rural internet service providers, urged the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to "actively, and aggressively, and thoughtfully vet" the subsidy applications of SpaceX and other broadband providers. At the time, SpaceX had provisionally won $886 million for a commitment to provide service to approximately 643,000 locations in 35 states as part of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF).{{cite web |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/musk-broadband-space-subsidy-irks-070000411.html |title=Musk's Internet-From-Space Subsidy at Risk as Rivals Protest |last=Shields |first=Todd |website=Yahoo!Finance |date=February 4, 2021|access-date=February 5, 2021|archive-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215060017/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/musk-broadband-space-subsidy-irks-070000411.html|url-status=live}} The NRECA criticisms included that the funding allocation to Starlink would include service to locations—such as Harlem and terminals at Newark Liberty International Airport and Miami International Airport—that are not rural, and because SpaceX was planning to build the infrastructure and serve any customers who request service with or without the FCC subsidy. Additionally, Jim Matheson, chief executive officer of the NRECA voiced concern about technologies that had not yet been proven to meet the high speeds required for the award category. Starlink was specifically criticized for being still in beta testing and for unproven technology.{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/starlink-spacex-fcc-rural-america-2021-2 |title=Small internet service providers say SpaceX's Starlink shouldn't get federal funds to expand internet access |last=Khaled |first=Fatma |publisher=Business Insider |date=February 4, 2021|access-date=February 5, 2021|archive-date=February 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205125109/https://www.businessinsider.com/starlink-spacex-fcc-rural-america-2021-2|url-status=live}}

While Starlink is deployed worldwide, it has encountered trademark conflicts in some countries such as Mexico{{Cite web |last=americanpost |date=September 1, 2021 |title=Elon Musk fights with Mexican businessman over StarLink trademark registration |url=https://www.americanpost.news/elon-musk-fights-with-mexican-businessman-over-starlink-trademark-registration/ |access-date=December 7, 2022 |website=American Post |language=en-US}} and Ukraine.{{Cite news |editor-last=Borysenko |editor-first=Ivan |date=April 14, 2023 |title=SpaceX to appeal losing Starlink trademark in Ukraine |url=https://english.nv.ua/business/spacex-to-appeal-losing-starlink-trademark-in-ukraine-news-50317991.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415110129/https://english.nv.ua/business/spacex-to-appeal-losing-starlink-trademark-in-ukraine-news-50317991.html |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |access-date=January 4, 2024 |work=The New Voice of Ukraine }}

{{Main|Satellite internet constellation|Satellite constellation#Two-way communication}}

• AST SpaceMobile – a satellite-to-mobile-phone satellite constellation working with large mobile network operators such as Vodafone, AT&T, Orange, Rakuten, Telestra, Telefónica, etc. with the objective to provide broadband internet coverage to existing unmodified mobile phones

• China national satellite internet project – a planned satellite internet offering for the Chinese market.{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Andrew |date=July 27, 2021 |title=Chinese rocket company Space Pioneer secures major funding ahead of first launch |url=https://spacenews.com/chinese-rocket-company-space-pioneer-secures-major-funding-ahead-of-first-launch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241004185611/https://spacenews.com/chinese-rocket-company-space-pioneer-secures-major-funding-ahead-of-first-launch/ |archive-date=October 4, 2024 |access-date=July 27, 2021 |work=SpaceNews }}

• Globalstar – an operational low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation for satellite phone and low-speed data communications, covering most of the world's landmass

• Hughes Network Systems – a broadband satellite provider providing fixed, cellular backhaul, and airborne antennas.

• Iridium – an operational constellation of 66 cross-linked satellites in a polar orbit, used to provide satellite phone and low-speed data services over the entire surface of Earth

• Inmarsat – a satellite based nautical distress network for transmitting telex, fax, and other text messages since 1979 – typically used in nautical scenarios and disaster scenarios

• Kuiper Systems – a planned 3,276 LEO satellite Internet constellation by an Amazon subsidiary.

• Lynk Global – a satellite-to-mobile-phone satellite constellation with the objective to coverage to traditional low-cost mobile devices

• O3b and O3b mPOWER – medium Earth orbit constellations that provide maritime, aviation and military connectivity, and cellular backhaul; coverage between latitudes 50°N and 50°S.

• OneWeb satellite constellation – a satellite constellation project that began operational deployment of satellites in 2020.{{Cite news |last=Wattles |first=Jackie |date=February 6, 2020 |title=The race for space-based broadband: OneWeb launches 34 more internet satellites |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/06/tech/oneweb-satellite-internet-launch-scn/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815055818/https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/06/tech/oneweb-satellite-internet-launch-scn/index.html |archive-date=August 15, 2021 |access-date=February 7, 2020 |work=CNN }}

• Orbcomm – an operational constellation used to provide global asset monitoring and messaging services from its constellation of 29 LEO communications satellites orbiting at 775 km (480 miles)

• Teledesic – a former (1990s) venture to accomplish broadband satellite internet services

• Viasat, Inc. – a broadband satellite provider providing fixed, ground mobile, and airborne antennas.

• Project Loon – former concept to provide internet access via balloons in the stratosphere
• Satellite Internet
• Satellite internet constellation
• Satellite Flare

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