SpaceX Is Asking for Permission to Position Starlink Satellites at Lower Altitudes. This Is the First Step Toward 1 Gbps Internet Connections

When SpaceX CEO Elon Musk introduced Starlink, he said that the satellite constellation would provide users with connections of 1 Gbps once the final deployment began. Thanks to Starship, that moment is finally approaching.

A new filing with the FCC. SpaceX recently requested permission from the Federal Communications Commission to launch its second-generation satellites at lower altitudes than usual.

The company plans to reduce the altitude of the Starlink Gen2 satellites from the current 326-332 miles range to 295-301 miles. If the request is approved, the number of satellites per orbital plane will increase, but the total will remain below the permitted maximum of 29,988.

Starlink is getting closer to achieving its goal. When SpaceX submitted a plan to the government to deploy a constellation of satellites, it promised to provide broadband Internet services of 1 Gbps per user worldwide upon final deployment.

Currently, Starlink customers experience download speeds ranging from 25 to 220 Mbps, with an average speed of around 100 Mbps. Thanks to advancements with Starship, the transition to gigabit speeds seems imminent.

Starship will launch the satellites. Before it can make any changes, SpaceX must first demonstrate that its plans won’t negatively impact other satellite operators and users of the electromagnetic spectrum. Once approved, the new second-generation satellites will begin launching aboard Starship rockets.

The new Starlink Gen2 model is said to provide ten times the bandwidth and lower latency. However, it’ll be significantly larger than the v2 minis. Consequently, SpaceX will be unable to launch them using the Falcon 9 rocket as it has previously. Fortunately, Starship is already capable of reaching orbit, and technically, SpaceX doesn’t need to resolve the re-entry challenge to start launching the larger Starlink satellites with the new rocket.

The goose that lays the golden egg. In May, Starlink surpassed 3 million customers. With more than 7,000 satellites launched and 4,700 active ones, the service is now available in over a hundred countries and on various cruise lines and commercial airlines.

Starlink is projected to end 2024 with revenues of $6.6 billion, and this figure is expected to improve further next year due to carrier agreements. These agreements will utilize Starlink’s Direct to Cell cellular connectivity to serve underserved areas. As a result, Starlink has significantly boosted SpaceX’s valuation to more than $200 billion.

Image | SpaceX

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