Hundreds of thousands of internet users continue to wait for access to SpaceX’s satellite broadband network, Starlink. So how will the company keep up with the demand?
SpaceX has revealed a few more tidbits about its second-generation Starlink network, which will be made up of nearly 30,000 satellites—or about 17 times larger than the existing network.
The company revealed the plans in a presentation last week to the FCC, which was first spotted by CNBC. The documents say Starlink is “rapidly rolling out internationally," and is now serving 90,000 users in 12 countries, up from 69,000 in late June. In addition, the company has launched 1,740 Starlink satellites to expand the network, which can currently deliver download speeds from 50Mbps to 150Mbps or higher.
However, the demand for Starlink is massive. The same presentation notes “over half a million” have placed orders or submitted deposits to sign up for the service.
To meet the demand, SpaceX says its second-generation Starlink network will be capable of serving more people while also delivering faster internet speeds at lower latencies. A slide in the presentation shows the company envisions placing thousands of satellites at various orbits around the Earth from 340 kilometers up to 614 kilometers.
To create the constellation, SpaceX says its upcoming Starship vehicle will be able to deploy the second-gen Starlink satellites at a faster rate. The company has previously said Starship will be able to carry 400 satellites per launch, an increase from the 60 satellites for a typical Starlink launch on the Falcon 9 rocket.
This is all good news for Starlink users, assuming SpaceX can receive regulatory approval. The presentation was made after the company last year applied for a new license with the FCC to operate the second-generation satellite network. SpaceX’s current license allows it to operate 4,408 Starlink satellites in orbit.