SpaceX Seeks Permission to Launch Gen3 Satellites With 1 Terabit Speeds

SpaceX has filed a new request with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking permission to deploy up to 100,000 next-generation Gen3 Starlink satellites, marking a major expansion of its satellite internet network.

The proposed Gen3 satellites introduce significant upgrades over the current Gen2 constellation. Each satellite is expected to weigh 2,000 kilograms, compared to 575 kilograms for Gen2 satellites, and will operate in very-low Earth orbit (VLEO) at an altitude of around 350 kilometers. Due to their larger size and weight, the new satellites will require SpaceX’s Starship rocket for launch.

Performance Improvements

According to the FCC filing, the Gen3 satellites have been redesigned from the ground up instead of being a simple upgrade to the existing Gen2 platform.

SpaceX says the new satellites are expected to deliver a 10-fold increase in downlink capacity, reaching 1 terabit per second (Tbps). Uplink capacity is also expected to improve by 22 times, reaching 160–200 gigabits per second (Gbps).

Each satellite will support a combined radio frequency (RF) and laser backhaul capacity of approximately 4 Tbps. The larger satellite bus will accommodate advanced phased-array antennas, longer solar panels, next-generation onboard computers and modems, and Argon Hall thrusters for station-keeping.

The constellation will also use advanced phased-array beamforming, electronic beam steering, optical inter-satellite links, and dynamic power control to improve spectrum sharing and reduce interference.

Testing Underway

SpaceX has already begun testing the Gen3 satellites ahead of full deployment.

According to the filing, the constellation will operate at nominal altitudes of 323–327.5 kilometers and 473–477.5 kilometers, with orbital inclinations ranging from 26 degrees to 96.9 degrees.

The network will use a wide range of radio spectrum, including Ku-, Ka-, V-, E-, W-, and D-band frequencies. Downlink bands will include 10.7–13.4 GHz, 17.3–21.2 GHz, and 37.5–42.5 GHz, alongside multiple uplink bands extending up to 231.5–275 GHz.

Previous Starlink Improvements

The upcoming Gen3 constellation follows the introduction of SpaceX’s Gen2 Starlink satellites, which already offered significant improvements over the original generation.

Compared to Gen1, the Gen2 satellites increased network throughput by 20 times, reduced latency, introduced Direct-to-Cell connectivity for unmodified mobile phones, and improved orbital maneuverability with autonomous collision avoidance capabilities.

Hardware Upgrades Needed

Because of the substantial improvements planned for the Gen3 network, existing Starlink user terminals and satellite dishes are expected to require hardware upgrades to take full advantage of the higher download capacity and gigabit-class internet speeds.

AI Satellite Also Unveiled

Separately, SpaceX recently introduced its first satellite specifically designed for artificial intelligence workloads.

Known as the AI1 satellite, the design supports up to 150 kilowatts of peak computing capacity and features liquid cooling radiators, meteoroid shielding, a centralized compute module, and deployable solar arrays. The satellites are expected to be manufactured at SpaceX’s Gigasat facility in Texas.

Although AI1 satellites are not yet in production, SpaceX’s latest FCC filing indicates the company is preparing to begin mass production of its Gen3 Starlink satellites.

The latest FCC request is separate from another recent SpaceX proposal seeking authorization to eventually launch up to one million satellites as part of a long-term vision toward what the company described as a “Kardashev II-level civilization.” The two filings are unrelated and are being considered independently.