When SpaceX’s Starlink service first launched, one of the complaints customers had about the service was slow speeds and disconnects. A lot of this was due to the limited number of satellites in space. Now, Starlink has over 5,000 satellites in space, with the first set of second-generation satellites now live. These new satellites are now finally making a noticeable improvement to the service.
One example of this is in Alaska, where reports are coming in that SpaceX’s internet service has noticeably improved. One example of that is from SomersInAlaska on YouTube, who reported that the quality of the service has improved 5x since they got it. Other reports point to how in just a few months, Starlink has transformed internet connectivity in some of the most remote parts of Alaska.
Recently, the total number of Starlink satellites in space to over 5,000, and the spaceflight company isn’t slowing down. Space X has authorization to launch 12,000 more Starlink spacecraft and is waiting on permission to launch an additional 30,000.
Recently, SpaceX started to launch second-gen satellites that offer faster internet and cover a large area. Starlink already has permission to launch 7,500 second-gen satellites. So far SpaceX has launched hundreds of second-gen satellites that are now ready to offer internet.
Not only is SpaceX planning to launch more second-gen satellites soon but also improving its remaining first-gen satellites. SpaceX is also hoping to use some of this upgraded technology for the remaining first gen-satellites it has yet to launch of the 4408 that the FCC approved.
As SpaceX launches more second-gen satellites, customers should continue to see improved internet speeds. That and the addition of more first-gen satellites should help SpaceX limit dead zones and speed up its service.