SpaceX Seeks FCC Approval for 100,000 Gen3 Satellites

Between July 6 and July 9, 2026, Space Exploration Technologies Corp. moved to significantly expand its orbital infrastructure through both regulatory filings and active launches. The company applied to the Federal Communications Commission for authorization to deploy up to 100,000 third-generation (Gen3) Starlink satellites. These spacecraft, weighing between 2,000 and 2,500 kilograms, would operate in very low Earth orbit shells between 323 and 477.5 kilometers to provide high-capacity internet backhaul for consumers and AI devices, offering downlink throughput of 1 terabit per second per satellite.

On July 9, SpaceX launched 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station using a Falcon 9 rocket. The mission's first-stage booster, Booster 1067, successfully completed its 36th flight and landed on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas.

Elon Musk emphasized that the Starship launch system is essential for deploying the larger Gen3 fleet. Musk has also outlined plans for a million-satellite AI megaconstellation called Starmind to support orbital data centers. To assist with fleet management, SpaceX is pursuing a $60 billion acquisition of the coding-assistant developer Anysphere. These developments occur ahead of a July 22 FCC vote on a Space Modernization Order intended to streamline satellite licensing.