In 2024, SpaceX’s Starlink reached new heights, expanding its coverage to 27 additional markets and now serving areas home to 2.8 billion people worldwide, including some of the most remote regions on the planet.
To support the surging demand for high-speed internet, SpaceX opened a new 700,000-square-foot factory in Bastrop, Texas, and launched two major hardware upgrades: the Starlink Mini and an enhanced version of the Starlink Standard kit.
The year also marked an unprecedented milestone for SpaceX’s launch cadence, with 134 Falcon launches, 89 of which were dedicated to expanding the Starlink constellation. These launches, combined with the deployment of V2 Mini satellites, added over 300 Tbps of capacity to the Starlink network, significantly enhancing its performance and reach.
In January 2024, SpaceX conducted its first launch of Starlink satellites equipped with Direct to Cell capability, aiming to eliminate cell-phone dead zones. Today, the Direct to Cell constellation is nearly ten times larger than all other operators pursuing similar technology combined, positioning Starlink as a leader in this emerging market.
The year also showcased the potential of Starship, with breathtaking views of Earth from its atmospheric reentry powered by Starlink.
As SpaceX gears up for the next phase, Starship will soon deploy V3 Starlink satellites, expected to add 60 Tbps of capacity per launch—over 20 times the capacity of a single Falcon 9 launch.
The V3 Starlink satellite, designed specifically for SpaceX’s Starship vehicle, represents a significant leap in capacity and technology for the Starlink network. Each Starship launch of V3 satellites will add 60 Tbps of capacity, more than 20 times the capacity provided by a V2 Mini launch on Falcon 9. These satellites will deliver 1 Tbps of downlink speed and 160 Gbps of uplink capacity, offering more than 10 times the downlink and 24 times the uplink capacity of their V2 Mini predecessors.
Starlink says V3 satellites will feature nearly 4 Tbps of combined RF and laser backhaul capacity and integrate SpaceX’s next-generation technologies, including advanced computers, modems, beamforming, and switching, to enhance performance and connectivity.
This is going to be incredible.
And with a glimpse of the future, views from Starship entering Earth’s atmosphere were made possible by Starlink.
Soon, Starship will launch our V3 Starlink satellites, which will add 60 Tbps of capacity to the network per launch – more than 20x per Falcon 9 launch today pic.twitter.com/wgxU1Bpe1h
— Starlink (@Starlink) December 31, 2024
We can’t wait to see the “Pez dispenser” shoot out Starlink V3 satellites. At this point, I don’t think anyone else can catch up or even match Starlink.
