Elon Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX has received approval to launch 7,500 additional second-generation Starlink satellites, a decision that brings the total number of authorized satellites in its network to 15,000. The authorization was granted by the U.S. communications authority, which stated that the expansion will enable next-generation satellite broadband capabilities and support advanced connectivity services, including the potential for direct mobile phone connections outside the United States.
The newly approved satellites are part of SpaceX’s broader strategy to expand global internet coverage, particularly in regions with limited or nonexistent terrestrial infrastructure. The company views this expansion as a key step toward reducing the digital divide and improving access to reliable communications worldwide. Under the terms of the approval, SpaceX must launch and deploy at least half of the authorized satellites by December 1, 2028, with the remaining satellites required to be operational by December 2031.
These milestones are intended to ensure a phased and controlled rollout of the expanded constellation. SpaceX had originally sought approval for nearly 30,000 satellites, but regulators decided to defer a ruling on roughly half of that request, leaving the evaluation process open for future consideration.
At present, SpaceX is already the largest satellite operator in the world, with its Starlink network consisting of approximately 9,400 active satellites, giving the company a dominant position in the rapidly growing satellite internet market.
This dominance has drawn regulatory attention in recent years, with officials emphasizing the importance of encouraging greater competition in the sector and raising concerns about the concentration of satellite infrastructure under a single provider.
The latest approval further strengthens SpaceX’s role as a central player in global communications infrastructure, while continuing to fuel broader discussions about innovation, regulation, and competition in the evolving satellite broadband industry.
