SpaceX files for Starlink Gen 3: 100,000 satellites to power AI infrastructure worldwide

Starlink 'Gen 3' to Span 100K Satellites, for Gigabit Broadband But Also AI

It's only been six months since Starlink received US regulatory approval for a gigabit speed upgrade, but SpaceX is already developing a next-generation Starlink constellation meant to be far larger, at 100,000 satellites, and offer even faster speeds. On Monday, the company filed an application with the FCC for the "Gen 3" constellation, dwarfing the current Starlink system, which consists of around 10,000 satellites. The Gen 3 constellation goes beyond gigabit speeds, with the goal of offering "ultra low-latency, multi-gigabit broadband service to orders of magnitude more users around the world," SpaceX says. But it also stands out for seeking to supply high-speed satellite broadband not only to consumers, enterprises, and governments, but also to "billions of AI-powered devices around the world," a document in the application says. "The Gen3 system will provide the communications backbone of the AI age," SpaceX writes. "AI requires massive uplink capacity to support high-definition spatial and auditory data necessary for real-time decision-making and industrial automation," the application adds. "Without it, the United States cannot compete in the AI revolution." "While downlink capacity will remain essential to deliver broadband to end users, the rapid rise of real-time communications and audiovisual data processing for AI-enabled devices -- including industrial automation, precision agriculture, telemedicine, and personal robotics -- will also require a significant expansion of end-user uplink capacity," the company adds. Hence, the Gen 3 system appears to be tied to SpaceX's proposal to launch an orbiting data-center constellation that could span up to a staggering 1 million satellites. Those orbiting data centers would use optical lasers to connect with Starlink to route data to users below. Currently, the FCC is reviewing the proposal, which has drawn widespread opposition from concerned groups, including astronomers and environmentalists. We also wonder if the Gen 3 Starlink constellation might involve SpaceX's rumored smartphone-like device built to leverage AI, which the company has been secretly showing to investors. That said, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has called reports of the device's development "utterly false." In the meantime, SpaceX's application says the Gen 3 system will meet AI capacity needs by harnessing a swath of radio spectrum for which Starlink has already received regulatory approval in the Ku-, Ka-, V-, and E-bands. However, SpaceX also wants to pioneer tapping into the "W- and D-band frequencies between 92 and 275 GHz" to drastically improve backhaul capacity. In addition, SpaceX wants to orbit the satellite as low as 323 kilometers from the Earth's surface; its approval for the gigabit upgrades allows for orbits as low as 340km. The company explains: "By deploying these satellites at very low altitudes, the Gen3 system will achieve unprecedented satellite diversity -- ensuring multiple satellites are always visible from any point on Earth." For now, SpaceX has regulatory authority to launch and operate up to 19,400 satellites across the second-gen and first-gen Starlink constellations, a clearance granted years earlier. Later this year, the company plans on launching the first V3 satellites with gigabit connectivity. However, it looks like 20,000 satellites isn't enough; the company wants to operate even more, explaining, "with dozens of satellites visible from any location, the Gen3 system can dynamically route traffic, avoid interference, and maintain continuous high-quality service even as spectrum use intensifies globally." Currently, Starlink has over 12 million active customers. SpaceX is urging the FCC to greenlight the Gen 3 constellation, saying it'll ensure the US leads in "space, spectrum, robotics, and artificial intelligence for years to come by providing the capacity, coverage, and service quality necessary to connect billions of devices to real-time, AI-powered tools, including constellations of advanced AI satellites." Currently, Starlink offers median speeds of around 120 Mbps or higher in the US. But the resulting Gen 3 system could make Starlink an even faster alternative to ground-based fiber, if it can pull off the multi-gigabit performance. Still, we wouldn't be surprised if the Gen 3 constellation faces resistance from astronomers and environmentalists over potential light pollution and atmospheric effects.

SpaceX Asks The FCC For Permission To Launch 100,000 Gen3 Satellites That Sport Advanced Phased-Array Beamforming And Electronic Beam Steering Capabilities

SpaceX is now putting its cash-rich coffers to good use by significantly ramping up the planned launch cadence for its Gen3 (alternatively called the V3) constellation of satellites, as evidenced by a recent FCC filing that seeks authorization for launching as many as 100,000 satellites. SpaceX now wants to place 100,000 Gen3 satellites in very-low Earth orbit shells, with each satellite weighing as much as 2,000 kg For the benefit of those who might not be aware, SpaceX's Gen2 Starlink satellites currently offer a higher capacity and lower latency vs. their Gen1 counterparts, while allowing for: Also, SpaceX recently unveiled its first dedicated satellite design for AI compute. Dubbed the AI1 satellite, it can support up to 150kW of peak compute payload, replete with liquid radiators, meteoride shielding, a centralized compute module, and deployable solar arrays. These satellites will be manufactured at SpaceX's Gigasat facility in Texas. While AI1 satellites are currently not in production, SpaceX appears ready to commence the mass production of its Gen3 satellites, as evidenced by its latest FCC filing. Here is what we know so far about these Gen3 satellites: According to SpaceX's FCC filing, the Gen3 constellation will operate at nominal altitudes of 323-327.5 km and 473-477.5 km with inclinations from 26° to 96.9°. The system will leverage Ku-, Ka-, V-, E-, W-, and D-band spectrum, including 10.7-13.4 GHz, 17.3-21.2 GHz, 37.5-42.5 GHz downlink bands as well as multiple uplink ones up to 231.5-275 GHz. Of course, given the significant amount of changes that SpaceX is bringing with its Gen3 satellites, existing Starlink user terminals and dish hardware will need an upgrade to fully leverage the constellation's enhanced downlink capacity and gigabit speeds. Finally, do note that SpaceX recently also asked for an authorization to launch as many as 1 million satellites as the first tangible step towards a "Kardashev II-level civilization." That filing is separate from this one and the two remain unrelated for now. Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.