FCC approves extensive Starlink Gen2 satellite expansion amid safety and spectrum concerns

The US Federal Communications Commission has authorised SpaceX to deploy up to 15,000 new Gen2 Starlink satellites, significantly enhancing global connectivity efforts while maintaining oversight to mitigate space debris and spectrum conflicts.

The US Federal Communications Commission has granted SpaceX permission to deploy an additional 7,500 next‑generation (Gen2) Starlink satellites, doubling its prior Gen2 authorisation to 15,000 and, if fully deployed alongside existing craft, bringing the constellation to almost 20,000 satellites in orbit, according to Total Telecom. ^[1]

The approval is partial: the FCC deferred authorisation for the remainder of SpaceX’s broader application, which had sought permission for many more Gen2 craft. Tom’s Hardware and Ars Technica report the commission explicitly withheld clearance for satellites proposed to operate above 600 km and retained oversight authority to pause further deployments if debris risks grow. ^[2][7]

The FCC authorised most of the newly approved satellites to operate in lower orbital shells between about 340 km and 485 km, a change SpaceX says should reduce latency and boost coverage compared with existing Starlink hardware that commonly orbits near 500 km. Tom’s Hardware and Technology.org note the lower altitudes also reduce long‑term orbital lifetimes for defunct objects, shortening debris residence times from years to weeks. ^[2][5]

SpaceX has said it will lower the orbits of roughly half its current fleet, about 4,400 satellites, to the newly authorised altitudes as an additional collision‑risk mitigation measure, a move highlighted by Total Telecom and TechRadar after late‑year incidents raised concerns about chain‑reaction breakups in busy orbital bands. Total Telecom added that one defunct satellite involved in a “kinetic accident” has been pushed 4 km off its planned orbit and is expected to burn up in the atmosphere by month‑end. ^[1][3]

The FCC also cleared the new satellites to operate across multiple frequency ranges, Ku, Ka, V, E and W bands, and granted an Equivalent Power Flux Density waiver permitting higher signal intensity, steps the agency and industry outlets say should enable more consistent gigabit‑class services and bolster Starlink’s direct‑to‑device ambitions. Technology.org, Tom’s Hardware and Ars Technica report these capabilities are central to Starlink’s plans for fixed broadband and Mobile Satellite Service offerings, and underpin partnerships such as supplemental‑coverage arrangements with US carriers. ^[5][2][7]

As part of the approval, the FCC imposed deployment milestones and operational conditions: SpaceX must have 50% of the authorised Gen2 satellites launched and operational by 1 December 2028, with the remainder in place by 1 December 2031, and must meet ongoing reporting requirements on collision avoidance and satellite disposal, Tom’s Hardware and TechRadar state. The commission’s chairman Brendan Carr described the move as “a game‑changer for enabling next‑generation services,” saying the authorisation will “deliver unprecedented satellite broadband capabilities, strengthen competition, and help ensure that no community is left behind,” remarks reported by Total Telecom. ^[2][3][1]

The expansion has drawn scrutiny from competitors and regulators. Technology.org, Ars Technica and other outlets note opposition filings from rival satellite operators such as Viasat against further approvals, and reporting warns that SpaceX continues to seek additional authorisations for tens of thousands more satellites in separate applications, a prospect that industry critics say could heighten spectrum and congestion challenges. The FCC’s partial approval thereby advances SpaceX’s Gen2 ambitions while preserving regulatory levers to address safety, coordination and international spectrum considerations as deployment proceeds. ^[5][7][2]

📌 Reference Map:

• ^[1] (Total Telecom) – Paragraph 1, Paragraph 4, Paragraph 6
• ^[2] (Tom’s Hardware) – Paragraph 2, Paragraph 3, Paragraph 6, Paragraph 7
• ^[3] (TechRadar) – Paragraph 4, Paragraph 6
• ^[5] (Technology.org) – Paragraph 3, Paragraph 5, Paragraph 7
• ^[7] (Ars Technica) – Paragraph 2, Paragraph 5, Paragraph 7

Source: Noah Wire Services