SpaceX begins launching second-generation Starlink satellites with four times the network capacity

Elon Musk's SpaceX has launched the archetypal batch of its next-generation Starlink net satellites arsenic the institution upgrades and further builds retired its orbiting network.

A Falcon 9 rocket carried 21 of the satellites, known arsenic "V2 Mini" satellites, into orbit connected Monday. The satellites correspond the archetypal iteration nether Starlink's "Gen2" plans, which the Federal Communications Commission authorized successful December.

Musk shared a video of the V2 Mini satellites releasing from the rocket into orbit. While launches of its first-generation models carried astir 50 to 60 satellites astatine a time, the caller spacecraft are larger and heavier than before, meaning each Falcon 9 motorboat carries fewer. The institution plans to yet usage its Starship rocket, which is successful development, for aboriginal second-generation Starlink missions.

SpaceX highlighted the improved capabilities of the V2 Minis earlier the launch, specified arsenic "more almighty phased array antennas" and "new argon Hall thrusters" for maneuvering successful orbit. The institution said the V2 Mini satellites adhd astir 4 times arsenic overmuch web capableness per outer compared to anterior iterations.

Notably, Monday besides represented the 100th consecutive juncture that SpaceX has successfully attempted and landed a Falcon 9 rocket booster aft a motorboat – a streak dating backmost to Feb. 16, 2021. The institution is conducting orbital rocket launches astatine an unprecedented rate, with a ngo astir each 4 days connected mean successful 2023.

The institution has launched astir 4,000 Starlink satellites to date, with its web reaching 1 cardinal subscribers successful December across a assortment of merchandise offerings – with services for residential, business, RV, maritime and aviation customers.

Last week, SpaceX adjusted the pricing of its residential Starlink work based connected capableness demands.