FCC opens 30-day review for SpaceX’s 15,000-Satellite VLEO Constellation, at ~325 km altitude.
For D2D service to unmodified smartphones.
Lower altitude, smaller footprint, smaller antennas, more satellites, ...
The application was submitted on Sept 19, 2025, and amended on Nov 25, 2025.
Comments/petitions are due by January 5, 2026, just around the holiday season.
@sundogplanets
https://news.satnews.com/2025/12/09/fcc-opens-review-for-spacexs-15000-satellite-vleo-constellation/
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-25-1018A1.pdf
1/n
In March 2024, the FCC had rejected a similar application from SpaceX for a VLEO constellation below 360 km altitude. That filing was intended as a lower latency Starlink data service.
But it appears that in Nov 2024, the FCC granted permission for 7,500 satellites at 340-360 km altitude, for D2D service, subject to some conditions. Permission for an additional 22,488 satellites was deferred.
🤔
https://spectrum.ieee.org/starlink-vleo-below-iss
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-24-222A1.pdf
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-24-1193A1.pdf
"SpaceX's plan to launch an additional 15,000 satellites for its Starlink cellular system has sparked opposition and concern from rival companies and environmentalists."
Such as Viasat, Globalstar, DarkSky International, Blue Origin, Iridium, Ligado, and the Mobile Satellite Services Association.
"The big question is whether the pushback sways the FCC. The Commission's Republican chairman, Brendan Carr, is a supporter of SpaceX ..."
@AkaSci It's really stupid that one US agency can approve a plan that affects all of humanity
