SpaceX

SpaceX Launches First Starlink Direct to Cell Satellites

On Tuesday, January 2, at 7:44 p.m. PT, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched 21 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit from the Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This launch was notable for including the first six Starlink satellites equipped with Direct to Cell capabilities, marking a significant […]

Starlink Launches Referral Program in Australia and New Zealand

SpaceX has introduced a Starlink referral program exclusively for customers in Australia and New Zealand. This program allows both new and existing users to earn service credits, applicable to Residential and Roam subscriptions. For new users, utilizing a referral link is straightforward. Upon visiting the Starlink website through a referral link, a banner confirms the […]

SpaceX’s Record-Setting Falcon 9 Booster Ends Career in Mishap

Images via Jenny Hautmann Spaceflight photographer and videographer Jenny Hautmann, also the content manager for SuperclusterHQ, reported a significant event in the history of space exploration. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster B1058, after completing a record-breaking 19th mission on December 23, 2023, met an unexpected end when it tipped over on the droneship during its return […]

Starlink Tops 2.3 Million Customers, Life-changing Stories Shared

SpaceX’s Starlink has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 2.3 million customers worldwide, announced the company on Thursday. The service, now operational in over 70 countries, has expanded its reach to all seven continents and oceans, marking a new era in global connectivity. Starlink’s website has introduced a new section dedicated to sharing stories from […]

SpaceX Starlink Gen 3 Dish Now Available Without Invite

SpaceX has updated its offerings, allowing US customers to purchase the third-generation Starlink dish directly from Starlink.com without needing an invitation. The new “standard” Starlink dish is priced at $599, matching the cost of the second-generation “standard actuated” dish, reports PCMag. However, to acquire the new dish, consumers are required to subscribe to the “Roam” […]

FCC Lets SpaceX Test Starlink Cellphone Service

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized SpaceX to commence experimental testing of its Starlink cellular system, designed to transmit data directly to smartphones. This temporary authorization, issued on Thursday, allows SpaceX to conduct tests over a six-month period, ending June 14, in more than two dozen locations across the United States, reports PCMag. SpaceX’s […]

Air New Zealand Partners with Starlink for In-Flight Internet

Air New Zealand has announced a groundbreaking partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink to introduce high-speed, low-latency internet on its domestic flights. This initiative, set to redefine domestic air travel in Aotearoa, will see the first installation of Starlink internet on a domestic jet and an ATR, marking a world-first for the latter, in late 2024. The […]

Amazon’s Project Kuiper Internet Satellites to Have 100 Gbps Laser Links

Amazon’s Project Kuiper, after successfully launching two prototype satellites in October 2023, has now confirmed the inclusion of laser links on every satellite in its constellation, forming a high-speed mesh network in space. This development follows extensive testing of the project’s end-to-end communications payload and network, including the recently disclosed optical inter-satellite link (OISL) capabilities. […]

FCC Denies SpaceX $886M Funding for Rural Starlink Expansion

The Federal Communications Commission has reaffirmed its decision to deny SpaceX $886 million in federal funding aimed at expanding Starlink’s internet service in rural US areas. The ruling, a 3-2 vote, upheld the FCC’s 2022 decision, citing SpaceX’s failure to demonstrate its capability to provide high-speed internet across 35 states, according to PCMag. SpaceX sought […]

SpaceX Falcon Heavy to Launch U.S. Military’s Secretive Spaceplane

The U.S. military’s secretive X-37B robot spaceplane is scheduled for a historic launch from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center atop SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket. The launch, planned for Monday night during a 10-minute window starting at 8:14 p.m. EST, marks the vehicle’s seventh mission to orbit and its first launch using the Falcon Heavy, which is […]

Starlink Kits Now Sold at Costco USA, Canada and UK

Back in August, SpaceX’s Starlink hardware made its way into Costco warehouses in Japan, and now we’re seeing an expansion of the latter’s availability. Costco warehouses in Canada, specifically in Toronto, Canada, are now selling Starlink hardware for $499.99 CAD, product number 3030630. Buying your Starlink kit from Costco includes two months of service credit, […]

FCC Grants SpaceX Limited Approval for Starlink Cellular Tests

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has partially granted SpaceX’s request to deploy its cellular Starlink system, intended for T-Mobile smartphones. This decision, made on Friday, allows SpaceX to perform short tests to verify the functionality of the satellite service’s radios. SpaceX is authorized to deploy a modified version of its Gen2 Starlink satellites, the FCC […]

SpaceX Seeks FCC Approval for Starlink Cellular Testing

SpaceX is preparing to test its Starlink cellular system, potentially as early as next month, using 840 satellites. This development comes from a recent filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where the company seeks an experimental license for the venture. The application, filed this week, requests “special temporary authority” for a 180-day testing period […]

SpaceX Acquires Parachute Vendor Pioneer Aerospace

SpaceX has recently expanded its in-house capabilities by acquiring parachute vendor Pioneer Aerospace. The acquisition, valued at $2.2 million, was facilitated following the bankruptcy of Pioneer’s parent company, as reported first by The Information. This marks SpaceX’s second significant acquisition after integrating small satellite startup Swarm in 2021. Pioneer Aerospace has been a crucial supplier […]

Israel Says Starlink Can Only Operate with its Approval in Gaza

In a recent development, Israel has stipulated that Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network will require Israeli approval to operate in the Gaza Strip. This announcement was made as Musk, the chief executive of SpaceX and Tesla, engaged with Israeli officials during his visit to the country this week, which occurred amidst heightened tensions over claims […]