The next generation of the Starlink internet megaconstellation has been given the green light.
The FCC gave the go-ahead for the deployment of 7,500 Starlink 2.0 satellites.
"Our action will allow the deployment of Gen2 Starlink, which will bring next- generation satellite broadband to Americans nationwide, including those living and working in areas traditionally unserved or underserved by terrestrial systems," FCC officials wrote in Thursday's decision order. The action will help to close the digital divide on a global scale.
The Starlink megaconstellation was photographed.
The company had applied for permission to deploy 29,988 Starlink 2.0 satellites around the world. The FCC is holding off on making a decision about the rest of the project.
The FCC granted limited approval to address concerns about orbital debris and space safety. The Starlink 2.0 application was filed in 2020 by the company.
According to the FCC document, there are requirements that require SpaceX to report actions taken to avoid collision in space, coordinate and collaborate with NASA to ensure continued availability of launch windows and pause deployment of new satellites if satellite failures exceed a certain threshold.
People are concerned about Starlink. Astronomers worry about the impact of the megaconstellation on their work and some dark-sky advocates worry that it's changing our view of the heavens.
The FCC gave the go-ahead for the deployment of 12,000 first-generation Starlink satellites.
More than 3,200 Starlink satellites are providing internet service to users around the world at the moment, and the company has lofted a significant portion of that number.
The new Starlink satellites will be bigger and more capable than their predecessors, according to Musk. The new craft will be able to beam service directly to cellphones, tipping the scales at about 1.2 tons. Indeed, a few months ago, SpaceX announced plans to do just that, via a partnership with T- Mobile.
The lion's share of the new Starlink satellites will be lofted by the new Mars and moon rocket from the company. The enormous vehicle could launch on its first test flight in the near future.
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