SpaceX gets FCC approval to launch 7,500 more Starlink satellites

The Federal Communications Commission announced Friday that it gave SpaceX permission to launch another 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites, for a total of 15,000 satellites worldwide.

Beyond just allowing SpaceX to launch more satellites and expand its high-speed internet coverage, the FCC says its decision also means Starlink satellites can operate on five frequencies and provide direct connectivity to cells outside the United States, as well as additional coverage within the United States.

Reuters reports that SpaceX had requested approval for an additional 15,000 satellites, but the FCC said it would “defer authorization of the remaining 14,988 proposed Gen2 Starlink satellites.”

SpaceX must launch 50% of approved Starlink satellites by December 1, 2028 and the remaining 50% by December 2031, the FCC says.