SpaceX’s plan to upgrade Starlink with nearly 30,000 second-generation satellites is facing some new resistance from rival Amazon.
Last Friday, Amazon told the FCC it should only let SpaceX operate a “small subset” of the 30,000 satellites for the time being. “Granting a small subset of its nearly 30,000 satellite system would offer SpaceX a path to begin deploying, while also providing the Commission time to carefully address the issues raised by its larger constellation,” Amazon wrote in a letter.
Like other companies, Amazon has some reservations with Starlink’s second-generation network due to its sheer size. There are currently over 4,800 active satellites in orbit around the planet, so what SpaceX is proposing will increase that by more than five-fold.
SpaceX plans on using the satellites to improve the speeds and coverage for Starlink, which is already serving nearly 500,000 users across the globe. However, Amazon is worried the growing Starlink constellation risks stifling its own satellite internet service, which it’s aiming to roll out in the coming years.
“The Commission should proceed carefully to ensure that SpaceX’s deployment does not come at the expense of competition and innovation from other emerging NGSO FSS (non-geostationary fixed service satellite) systems. Once launched, satellites remain in orbit for years, or even decades,” Amazon wrote.
According to Amazon, “potentially more than 10,000” second-gen Starlink satellites could operate at the same altitudes of its own satellites. However, Amazon noted it isn’t asking the FCC to deny SpaceX’s second-generation network. “Instead, it asks only for reasonable and targeted conditions designed to ensure that SpaceX’s nearly 30,000 satellites do not unduly interfere with Amazon’s planned deployment or foreclose future NGSO FSS systems from deploying,” the company wrote.
As an example, Amazon suggested the FCC grant one of the 18 filings SpaceX made with the International Telecommunication Union for the second-gen Starlink constellation. Doing so would give SpaceX time to demonstrate the satellites don’t pose a threat to orbital safety or radio interference. “At the same time, such a grant would enable SpaceX’s near-term deployment,” Amazon added.
SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But the company is hoping to begin launching the second-gen Starlink satellites soon using its new Starship craft, pending approvals from US regulators. However, other companies and groups, including NASA, have submitted concerns with the FCC about the potential risks of such a large satellite constellation.