{"id":17915,"date":"2019-10-15T20:26:04","date_gmt":"2019-10-15T12:26:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/spacex-seeks-to-reserve-spots-for-30000-more-starlink-broadband-internet-satellites\/"},"modified":"2019-10-15T20:26:04","modified_gmt":"2019-10-15T12:26:04","slug":"spacex-seeks-to-reserve-spots-for-30000-more-starlink-broadband-internet-satellites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/spacex-seeks-to-reserve-spots-for-30000-more-starlink-broadband-internet-satellites\/","title":{"rendered":"SpaceX seeks to reserve spots for 30,000 more Starlink broadband internet satellites"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A stack of 60 Starlink satellites is in position for orbital deployment during a SpaceX Falcon 9 mission in May. (SpaceX Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SpaceX has filed paperwork with the International Telecommunication Union to add up to 30,000 Starlink broadband data satellites to the 12,000 it\u2019s already been cleared to put in orbit.<\/p>\n

The filings reflect SpaceX\u2019s bullishness on the prospects for expanding high-speed internet access to the billions of people around the world who are currently underserved \u2014 and its determination to stay ahead of competitors who have their own plans to launch thousands more broadband satellites.<\/p>\n

SpaceX\u2019s requests came to light in the form of 20 coordination requests passed along to the ITU on Oct. 7 by the Federal Communications Commission, with 1,525 orbital planes specified in each request. Such requests generally come in the early stages of the regulatory process, with follow-up action taken by the ITU and the FCC.<\/p>\n

The filings set off a seven-year countdown for getting clearances and launching the specified satellites, and then operating them for at least 90 days. SpaceX wouldn\u2019t be required to launch all 30,000 satellites, but laying out its plan now could give it a regulatory advantage if other satellite operators were to go after the same orbital slots and frequencies.<\/p>\n

SpaceX has received FCC approval to put up to 12,000 satellites in a variety of orbital locations, at altitudes of 340 miles and 710 miles. The first 60 satellites of the operational constellation were put into low Earth orbit in May and have been going through a shakedown. Dozens more could be launched by the end of this year, and commercial services could begin by the end of next year.<\/p>\n

The satellites described in the ITU filings would go into orbits ranging from 203 miles to 360 miles, with the aim of giving a further boost to broadband service.<\/p>\n

In an emailed statement, SpaceX said it was just thinking ahead.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs demand escalates for fast, reliable internet around the world, especially for those where connectivity is non-existent, too expensive or unreliable, SpaceX is taking steps to responsibly scale Starlink\u2019s total network capacity and data density to meet the growth in users\u2019 anticipated needs,\u201d the company said.<\/p>\n

Starlink\u2019s satellites are being developed and built at SpaceX\u2019s facilities in Redmond, Wash. Back in 2015, when SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced the satellite project in Seattle, he said he\u2019s counting on revenue from Starlink to fund his grand vision of building a city on Mars and sending thousands of settlers to the Red Planet.<\/p>\n