SpaceX cleared to add 7,500 next‑gen Starlink satellites to orbit.

The FCC approved SpaceX's request to increase its Starlink Gen2 fleet from 7,500 to 15,000 satellites, and requires half of the newly authorized satellites to be launched and in position by December 1, 2028.

SpaceX has received approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to launch an additional 7,500 Starlink Gen2 satellites, increasing the Gen2 fleet from 7,500 to 15,000. FCC chairman Brendan Carr announced the decision and characterized it as enabling improved internet services. The company’s Gen2 design is reported to offer about 20x the throughput of first‑generation satellites and easier connectivity via Starlink dishes. The FCC also authorized broader frequency use and a greater set of orbital configurations for the system. Key facts: - The FCC approved adding 7,500 Starlink Gen2 satellites, bringing the Gen2 total to 15,000. - Brendan Carr announced the decision and said it would enable faster and more advanced internet services in the country. - Gen2 satellites are reported to provide roughly 20x the throughput of first‑generation models and improved connectivity. - The FCC authorized operation across a wider range of frequencies and additional orbital configurations. - Deployment deadlines require half of the newly approved satellites to be launched and in position by December 1, 2028, and the remainder to be operational by December 2031. Summary: The FCC’s approval expands SpaceX’s authorized Starlink Gen2 fleet and formalizes permissions on frequencies and orbital arrangements. The ruling includes specific deployment deadlines and follows SpaceX’s recent moves to lower the altitude of some satellites, actions that were noted as part of the regulatory context.