Catenaa, Monday, January 19, 2026- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized SpaceX to deploy 7,500 additional Gen2 Starlink satellites, bringing the company’s total in orbit to 15,000.
The approval will support SpaceX’s direct-to-cell service and enable broader high-speed, low-latency satellite internet coverage worldwide.
The FCC emphasized that the authorization is incremental. SpaceX has requested permission for a total of nearly 30,000 satellites, but the regulator has deferred approval for 14,988 remaining units, including those intended for operations above 600 km.
The decision follows performance evaluations of existing Gen2 satellites, which remain largely untested on orbit.
The order also grants a temporary waiver on power limits while the FCC finalizes rules for equivalent power flux density, requiring SpaceX to comply with new regulations once enacted.
Deployment milestones include launching 50% of the newly-approved satellites by December 1, 2028, with the remainder to follow three years later.
SpaceX currently operates over 10,000 satellites and reported 9.2 million connected customers at the start of 2026, adding 4.6 million users in 2025 alone.
The service has expanded into 35 new markets, covering 155 countries and a population of 3.2 billion, with 27 mobile network operator partnerships leveraging Starlink’s direct-to-cell capabilities.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr described the approval as a “game-changer” for satellite broadband, noting the potential to expand service, strengthen competition, and ensure connectivity for underserved communities.
SpaceX’s incremental approach reflects regulatory caution and ongoing technical and operational considerations, while signaling significant growth for global satellite internet services over the next decade.
