FCC’s Green Light for SpaceX: A Significant Boost for Starlink Gen2 and Apple’s Cosmic Ambitions

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States has granted SpaceX the approval to operate up to 15,000 second-generation (Gen2) Starlink satellites. This move allows Elon Musk to launch an additional 7,500 satellites, ultimately completing the formation of the new network. Image generated by ChatGPT.

The Gen2 satellites are significantly different from their predecessors. Firstly, the bandwidth is increased by 20 times compared to previous satellites. Secondly, they enable direct internet distribution to regular smartphones, eliminating the need for “dishes.” Finally, the new satellites feature enhanced maneuverability and have an autonomous system to evade space debris.

There are rumors that the new satellites will allow SpaceX to become a space communication provider for Apple smartphones. Insider Mark Gurman claims that Apple plans to implement full-fledged satellite 5G Internet in the iPhone by 2026, as well as open satellite access to third-party applications through an API. This step could potentially revolutionize global mobile communication, granting coverage in areas previously unreachable by traditional networks.