The FCC has cleared the launch of 7,500 of SpaceX’s second-generation Starlink satellites

SpaceX committed on several fronts to ensure the sustainability of its commercial development. Many funds are used for the construction of the new heavy carrier Starship (consisting of Ship and Super Heavy) which will be fundamental for the future strategy of the US company. Tests are continuing in Boca Chica (Texas) and the first orbital launch could be between the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023. A modified version of this system will also be used as a lunar lander for the Artemis missions.

Meanwhile the company of Elon Musk is taking advantage of the reliable space rocket Falcon 9 (also in Falcon Heavy version) to launch governmental and commercial payloads so as to embezzle additional funds. Among the most frequent launches are those of his own Starlink satellites. This is also a way to make profits useful for sustaining the business and, thanks to the authorization of the FCC (Federal Communications Commission), will now be able to expand its satellite mega constellation thanks to second generation units.

SpaceX receives clearance to launch 7,500 Starlink satellites

The official document was published on December 1 on the website of the FCC and represents permission to launch 7500 Starlink satellites second generation in low Earth orbit (LEO). These new satellites have been designed for launch with Starship, guaranteeing higher performance than the current ones. If the development of the new vector should be slower than expected, SpaceX could also adopt a revised version of the second generation of Starlink satellites in order to be included in the fairing of a Falcon 9.

Obviously, by increasing the total number of units it will be possible to have better global coverage as well as support a greater number of users. To date, 3558 first generation satellites have been launched with 3268 currently in orbit, of which 3231 are functional.

According to theFCC for the second generation they can be launched up to 7500 satellites, however a lower number than the company had hoped (which should have been 29,988 satellites). This does not mean that the US agency will not be able to approve further expansion in the future mega constellation from SpaceX.

The new satellites will be placed in different orbits. Some will be at 525 km with an inclination of 53, others at 530 km and 43 and finally at 535 km and 33. In general, even with some variations in the expected altitude, the 580 km cannot be exceeded as they would conflict with the satellites Amazon’s Project Kuiper (which are yet to be launched). The organization also underlined how this number of satellites was chosen to guarantee a SpaceX to be able to begin the deployment of the new generation but, being limited in the number of units, it will protect other satellite and terrestrial operators from harmful interference and will maintain a safe space environment, promoting competition also in view of the future exploitation of space for commercial purposes.

To improve safety, satellites will need to be able to return within five years in the event of a failure or at the end of their operational life. This will make it possible to avoid having satellites in orbit that are no longer useful and potentially dangerous for other missions. Thanks to a new design, while larger than the previous ones, these models should be dimmer so as to interfere less (or not at all) with astronomical observations.