Elon Musk’s Starlink: 30,000 Satellites Proposal

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Elon Musk plans to deploy 30,000 Starlink satellites globally.
SpaceX seeks FCC approval for 29,988 satellites in its second-generation network.
The expansion could enhance global internet coverage and reduce latency.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Elon Musk has unveiled an ambitious vision to deploy nearly 30,000 Starlink satellites around Earth through SpaceX’s advanced Starship rocket. This plan includes a formal proposal filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking permission to launch up to 29,988 satellites for its second-generation Starlink system. This expansion represents a dramatic increase from the 7,500 satellites currently authorized by the FCC.

The new filing builds on SpaceX’s earlier attempts to modify its second-generation Starlink network. The company aims to utilise additional radio spectrum and operate its satellites in lower orbits, significantly enhancing network performance. Specifically, SpaceX plans to use E-band frequencies and position satellites between 480 and 530 kilometers above Earth. In a bold step, the proposal also suggests even lower orbits, ranging from 340 to 365 kilometers, aligning with Musk’s goal of reducing Starlink’s latency to below 20 milliseconds. This advancement could revolutionise satellite internet service.

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If approved, this ambitious constellation could drastically increase global internet coverage and capacity, matching SpaceX’s initial request for its second-generation network. This request was significantly reduced by the FCC in 2022. Musk emphasizes the importance of SpaceX’s Starship rocket in realising this vision, viewing it as a vital step towards enabling humanity to harness vast solar power through advanced space-based infrastructure.

However, the proposal is expected to face scrutiny from regulators, astronomers, and other satellite operators, all concerned about orbital congestion and the potential for interference with scientific observations. The FCC will have to carefully balance the benefits of expanded global connectivity against these concerns.

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SpaceX’s filing marks a significant escalation in the company’s ambitions for satellite-based internet services. If approved, this expanded Starlink network could reshape global communications and bring high-speed internet to even the most remote areas of the world. As the FCC reviews this proposal, industry observers and competitors will closely monitor how regulators balance innovation with sustainable use of Earth’s orbital environment.