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SpaceX Starlink becomes first US mega-constellation to gain FCC approval

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Sans fanfare, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has made SpaceX the first US-based entity authorized to launch and operate a massive broadband internet satellite constellation in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

The Starlink constellation authorization comes a bit less than five weeks after SpaceX launched its first two prototype communications satellites as co-passengers with the Spanish PAZ imaging satellite. CEO Elon Musk confirmed that they had safely made it to orbit and were communication with ground control in Hawthorne, CA, but SpaceX’s lips have remained sealed beyond Musk’s brief mention.

Unofficially, sources in the loop were told that Musk forwarded a memo to all hands soon after launch, confirming that the Starlink prototypes had successfully sent their “Hello, world” message to ground control. In the month since launch, the Tintin twins appear to have both raised their orbits slightly, suggesting that their propulsion systems were/are at least partially functional. Per FCC licenses for the experimental satellites, the Tintins are expected to eventually raise their orbits from 500km to approximately 1100km over the course of testing, maneuvering that would require their SpaceX-designed ion propulsion modules to function properly.

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Gwynne Shotwell, COO of SpaceX, gave an official statement on the FCC’s authorization of Starlink, reiterating the company’s awareness of a huge amount of work ahead of any operational constellation.

“We appreciate the FCC’s thorough review and approval of SpaceX’s constellation license. Although we still have much to do with this complex undertaking, this is an important step toward SpaceX building a next-generation satellite network that can link the globe with reliable and affordable broadband service, especially reaching those who are not yet connected.”

As the SpaceX’s first foray into true electric propulsion and dedicated communications satellites, not to mention an array of cutting-edge technologies (optical/laser-based interlinks, advanced antenna tech, and more) presumed to be on board, it’s fair to assume that the public silence is indicative of a heads-down work ethic while Starlink engineers and technicians get a handle on the tasks before them and learn volumes about the manufacture and operation of advanced satellites. If they were to occur, failures or serious problems with these first two prototypes would, in fact, benefit SpaceX and strengthen all future prototype testing efforts, ultimately resulting in a more successful final product and happier customers in the long term.

SpaceX’s first two Starlink prototype satellites are pictured here before their inaugural launch, showing off a thoroughly utilitarian bus and several advanced components. (SpaceX)

Although the FCC’s approval carries with it a number of conditional requirements of SpaceX, it is all but guaranteed that SpaceX will be able to satisfy those conditions and ensure that Starlink remains authorized, barring any significant and unforeseen legal challenges. Of those conditions, the most significant condition of note relates to a request for additional information from SpaceX on the company’s end-of-life and deorbit practices in order to guarantee that the constellation’s 4,000+ satellites do not become a space debris risk. The most serious threat to Starlink as it stands proposed today is the FCC’s decision to deny SpaceX a waiver for the requirement that 50% of any given LEO internet constellation must be launched six years after approval. In the case of the 4400+ satellite Starlink constellation, this would require SpaceX to launch more than 30 satellites a month for every month between now and March of 2024. Thankfully, the FCC approval acknowledges that it will reconsider SpaceX’s request for a waiver of this requirement in the future, once the design of Starlink has been finalized. 

Correction: While the FCC’s final license grant appeared to deny a waiver requested by SpaceX for the requirement of launching 50% of the constellation within six years of licensing, the FCC has in fact already reconsidered this requirement [PDF] for uniquely large constellations out of its sheer impracticality. SpaceX should thus have some added flexibility in the pace of its deployment of Starlink.

Limited internet service from SpaceX’s Starlink constellation is not expected to begin before 2020 at the earliest. The FCC’s announcement can be read in the news release here [PDF]  or in the full application approval here [PDF].

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5-WCwZ4cSE

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Eric Ralph is Teslarati's senior spaceflight reporter and has been covering the industry in some capacity for almost half a decade, largely spurred in 2016 by a trip to Mexico to watch Elon Musk reveal SpaceX's plans for Mars in person. Aside from spreading interest and excitement about spaceflight far and wide, his primary goal is to cover humanity's ongoing efforts to expand beyond Earth to the Moon, Mars, and elsewhere.

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Starship Flight 9 nears as SpaceX’s Starbase becomes a Texan City

SpaceX’s launch site is officially incorporated as Starbase, TX. Starship Flight 9 could launch on May 27, 2025. 

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(Credit: Jenny Hautmann/Wikimedia Commons)

SpaceX’s Starbase is officially incorporated as a city in Texas, aligning with preparations for Starship Flight 9. The newly formed city in Cameron County serves as the heart of SpaceX’s Starship program.

Starbase City spans 1.5 square miles, encompassing SpaceX’s launch facility and company-owned land. A near-unanimous vote by residents, who were mostly SpaceX employees, led to its incorporation. SpaceX’s Vice President of Test and Launch, Bobby Peden, was elected mayor of Starbase. The new Texas city also has two SpaceX employees as commissioners. All Starbase officials will serve two-year terms unless extended to four by voters.

As the new city takes shape, SpaceX is preparing for the Starship Flight 9 launch, which is tentatively scheduled for May 27, 2025, at 6:30 PM CDT from Starbase, Texas.

SpaceX secured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for up to 25 annual Starship and Super Heavy launches from the site. However, the FAA emphasized that “there are other licensing requirements still to be completed,” including policy, safety, and environmental reviews.

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On May 15, the FAA noted SpaceX updated its launch license for Flight 9, but added: “SpaceX may not launch until the FAA either closes the Starship Flight 8 mishap investigation or makes a return to flight determination. The FAA is reviewing the mishap report SpaceX submitted on May 14.”

Proposed Texas legislation could empower Starbase officials to close local highways and restrict Boca Chica Beach access during launches. Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino, Jr., opposes the Texas legislation, insisting beach access remain under county control. This tension highlights the balance between SpaceX’s ambitions and local interests.

Starbase’s incorporation strengthens SpaceX’s operational base as it gears up for Starship Flight 9, a critical step in its mission to revolutionize space travel. With growing infrastructure and regulatory hurdles in focus, Starbase is poised to become a cornerstone of SpaceX’s vision, blending community development with cutting-edge aerospace innovation.

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United Airlines debuts Starlink Wi-Fi on Detroit flight

United’s first passenger flight with Starlink Wi-Fi just landed in Detroit. Mainline flights to follow by year-end.

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(Credit: United Airlines)

United Airlines debuted Starlink Wi-Fi on its first passenger flight to Detroit, marking a milestone in in-flight connectivity with SpaceX’s satellite internet.

On Thursday, the morning flight from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport introduced high-speed, gate-to-gate Starlink internet for United Airlines passengers. The Starlink-equipped United Embraer E-175, tail number UA5717, departed at 7:35 a.m. for Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

United announced the rollout on X, stating, “That lightning-fast Wi-Fi we told you about? It’s here. Our first customers just found out what it’s like to break the Wi-Fi barrier and stream, scroll, shop, and game just like at home with Starlink. And it’s FREE for MileagePlus members. Rolling out across our fleet now.”

The service leverages Starlink’s 7,000+ low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver broadband globally, including in remote areas. United is the only major U.S. airline currently offering Starlink. The airline plans to expand the service across its two-cabin regional fleet and introduce it on mainline flights by year-end.

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Sean Cudahy from The Points Guy tested Starlink’s Wi-Fi pre-launch, praising its ease and reliability. “I ran a speed test, and it clocked the Wi-Fi at 217 Mbps of download speed, and 26.8 Mbps of upload speed,” Cudahy shared, noting its suitability for long flights.

Beyond aviation, SpaceX is pitching Starlink as a GPS alternative, emphasizing its potential for Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services. This dual capability underscores Starlink’s versatility.

In a letter to the FCC, SpaceX wrote, “One opportunity stands out as a particularly ripe, low-hanging fruit: facilitating the rapid deployment of next-generation low-Earth orbit (‘LEO’) satellite constellations that can deliver PNT as a service alongside high-speed, low-latency broadband and ubiquitous mobile connectivity.”

As SpaceX expands Starlink’s applications, from aviation to navigation, United’s adoption signals a broader shift toward satellite-driven connectivity on long flights. With plans to equip more aircraft, United and Starlink are redefining in-flight internet, promising seamless digital access at 30,000 feet.

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SpaceX touts Starlink as GPS alternative in FCC PNT push

SpaceX highlighted Starlink’s potential to deliver PNT services alongside its broadband offerings.

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SpaceX is positioning its Starlink constellation as a viable GPS alternative. In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), SpaceX stated that it could leverage Starlink satellites for next-generation Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions.

GPS has been run through a single provider in the United States, the Defense Department. The FCC intends to use Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions to complement GPS technologies. In its letter, SpaceX highlighted Starlink’s potential to deliver PNT services alongside its broadband offerings in its letter to the FCC.

“As the Commission identifies specific actions to contribute to the whole-of-government PNT system resilience effort, one opportunity stands out as a particularly ripe, low-hanging fruit: facilitating the rapid deployment of next-generation low-Earth orbit (‘LEO’) satellite constellations that can deliver PNT as a service alongside high-speed, low-latency broadband and ubiquitous mobile connectivity,” SpaceX wrote.

SpaceX also emphasized its ongoing work to integrate PNT into its cellular Starlink service, which is expected to be launched with T-Mobile in July. The private space provider also stated that Starlink satellites already operate independently of GPS. This lays the groundwork for resilient PNT delivery across authorized frequencies, SpaceX noted in its letter.

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“SpaceX has also been actively working to integrate PNT solutions into its direct-to-device commercial service offerings. In so doing, SpaceX can advance the Commission’s goal in this proceeding to maintain American leadership in next-generation PNT services both here at home and in over 130 countries it serves around the world.

“SpaceX looks forward to playing an integral role in creating a more robust, resilient, and secure PNT ecosystem for Americans and people around the world,” SpaceX noted.

SpaceX also advocated for a “technology-neutral approach” to GPS alternatives in its letter, while critiquing EchoStar’s unused 2GHz spectrum for mobile satellite services. Meanwhile, Globalstar, Apple’s satellite provider, also pitched its services as a GPS complement, stating that its services “can function as either an alternative or a complement to GPS.”

“Notably, Globalstar’s satellites transmit outside of the L-band, which provides PNT users with added immunity from GPS jamming and spoofing. In addition, Globalstar’s satellite transmissions at 2.4GHz are stronger than GPS signals, bolstering resilience, performance, and reliability,” GlobalStar noted.

SpaceX’s letter to the FCC can be viewed below.

Starlink GPS FCC by maria on Scribd

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