History of Starlink in Timeline
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, LLC, a subsidiary of SpaceX. It provides internet coverage to approximately 150 countries and territories and aims to offer global mobile broadband. Starlink has been crucial to SpaceX's expansion and growth.
2004: SpaceX Opens Washington DC Office
In 2004, Larry Williams, SpaceX VP of Strategic Relations, opened the SpaceX Washington DC office.
2005: Provisions of the South African Electronic Communications Act
In March 2025, Musk claimed that "Starlink can't get a license to operate in South Africa simply because I'm not black", Musk's claim references the provisions of the South African Electronic Communications Act, 2005, which require telecom licensees to allocate at least 30% equity ownership to historically disadvantaged groups.
2012: Inspiration for the Starlink Name
In 2012, the name Starlink was inspired by the novel "The Fault in Our Stars".
January 2015: Initial Starlink plans forecasted
In January 2015, initial plans for the Starlink constellation forecasted approximately 4,000 cross-linked satellites, which was more than twice the number of operational satellites in orbit at the time. The satellites were expected to be smallsats, weighing between 100 to 500 kg, and operate in low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 1,100 km.
February 2015: SpaceX asked the FCC to consider future innovative uses of the Ka-band spectrum
In February 2015, SpaceX asked the FCC to consider future innovative uses of the Ka-band spectrum before the FCC commits to 5G communications regulations that would create barriers to entry, since SpaceX is a new entrant to the satellite communications market.
February 2015: Analysts Question GEO Satellite Operators About LEO Competition
In February 2015, financial analysts questioned established geosynchronous orbit communications satellite fleet operators on how they intended to respond to the competitive threat of SpaceX and OneWeb LEO communication satellites.
June 2015: SpaceX announcement of demonstration satellite launch plans
At the time of the June 2015 announcement, SpaceX stated plans to launch the first two demonstration satellites in 2016, but the target date was later moved out to 2018.
October 2015: SpaceX Indicates Early Phase of Business Case for Satellite Network
In October 2015, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell indicated that the business case for the long-term rollout of an operational satellite network was still in an early phase.
2015: Samsung and Telesat Announce Satellite Constellation Plans
In 2015, Samsung outlined a 4,600-satellite constellation, and Telesat announced a smaller 117 satellite constellation with plans to deliver initial service in 2021.
July 2016: SpaceX Acquires Creative Space in Irvine, California
In July 2016, SpaceX acquired an additional creative space in Irvine, California, which would include signal processing, RFIC, and ASIC development for the satellite program.
October 2016: Focus on Low-Cost User Equipment Design
In October 2016, SpaceX's satellite division was focusing on achieving a sufficiently low-cost design for the user equipment.
November 2016: SpaceX Applies to FCC for License
In November 2016, SpaceX applied to the FCC for a license to operate a "non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite system in the fixed-satellite service using the Ku- and Ka- frequency bands".
2016: SpaceX Confirms Starlink Connection
In 2016, SpaceX confirmed the connection in the application to license Starlink with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
2016: Initial target date for demonstration satellite launch
In June 2015, SpaceX stated that the target date for the launch of the first two demonstration satellites was 2016, but the launch was subsequently moved out to 2018.
January 2017: SpaceX Expected Revenue from Starlink
In January 2017, SpaceX expected annual revenue from Starlink to reach $12 billion by 2022 and exceed $30 billion by 2025.
January 2017: Expansion of SpaceX Facility in Redmond
In January 2017, SpaceX had taken on a second facility in Redmond, Washington.
March 2017: SpaceX filed plans for a second orbital shell of V-band satellites
In March 2017, SpaceX filed plans with the FCC to field a second orbital shell of more than 7,500 "V-band satellites in non-geosynchronous orbits to provide communications services" in an electromagnetic spectrum that has not previously been heavily employed for commercial communications services. This VLEO constellation was to comprise 7,518 satellites orbiting at 340 km altitude.
September 2017: FCC Grants License to SpaceX
In September 2017, the FCC granted SpaceX a license requiring half of the Starlink constellation to be in orbit within six years and the full system operating within nine years from the date of the license.
October 2017: Market Players Cancel Investments in GEO Broadband Satellites
By October 2017, the expectation for large increases in satellite network capacity from emerging lower-altitude broadband constellations caused market players to cancel some planned investments in new geosynchronous orbit broadband communications satellites.
2017: SpaceX Files Space Debris Mitigation Plan
In late 2017, SpaceX filed documents with the FCC to clarify their space debris mitigation plan.
February 2018: SpaceX started launching Starlink satellites into orbit
Between February 2018 and May 2024, SpaceX successfully launched over 6,000 Starlink satellites into orbit, including prototypes and satellites that later failed or were de-orbited before entering operational service.
February 2018: Launch of Test Satellites
In February 2018, SpaceX launched two test satellites.
February 22, 2018: Launch of Tintin A and Tintin B test satellites
On February 22, 2018, SpaceX began flight testing their satellite technologies with the launch of two test satellites, initially called MicroSat-2a and MicroSat-2b, but renamed Tintin A and Tintin B upon orbital deployment. They launched as piggy-back payloads with the Paz satellite on a Falcon 9 rocket.
March 2018: FCC Approves Initial Satellites
In March 2018, the FCC granted SpaceX approval for the initial 4,425 satellites, with conditions, including obtaining separate approval from the ITU and achieving a high level of de-orbiting reliability.
May 2018: SpaceX Estimates Starlink Constellation Cost
In May 2018, SpaceX estimated the cost of designing, building, and deploying the Starlink constellation to be at least US$10 billion.
May 2018: SpaceX Estimates Total Development Cost
In May 2018, SpaceX estimated the total cost of designing, building and deploying the constellation would be at least US$10 billion.
August 2018: SpaceX Consolidates Seattle-Area Operations
In August 2018, SpaceX consolidated all their Seattle-area operations with a move to a larger three-building facility at Redmond Ridge Corporate Center to support satellite manufacturing and R&D.
November 2018: Amazon Announces Large Network of Satellite Ground Station Facilities
In November 2018, Amazon announced a large network of twelve satellite ground station facilities (the "AWS ground station unit").
November 2018: SpaceX announced initial shell plans for Starlink constellation
In November 2018, SpaceX announced plans to operate an initial shell of about 1600 satellites in the constellation at approximately 550 km orbital altitude, an altitude similar to the orbits of Tintin A and B.
November 2018: SpaceX Receives Regulatory Approval for V-Band Satellites and Files to Alter License
In November 2018, SpaceX received U.S. regulatory approval to deploy 7,518 V-band broadband satellites, in addition to the previously approved 4,425. SpaceX also filed a request to alter its license to operate approximately 1,600 Ka-/Ku-band satellites at a lower orbital altitude of 550 km.
February 2019: SpaceX Services Inc. Files for Earth Station License
In February 2019, SpaceX Services Incorporated, a sister company of SpaceX, filed a request with the FCC to receive a license for the operation of up to a million fixed satellite Earth stations to communicate with its Starlink system.
April 2019: Amazon Announces "Project Kuiper" Satellite Constellation
In April 2019, Amazon announced a large broadband internet satellite constellation, "Project Kuiper," planning to launch 3,236 satellites in the next decade, working in concert with Amazon's previously announced network of satellite ground station facilities.
April 2019: FCC Approves SpaceX Request for Satellite Placement
In April 2019, the FCC approved SpaceX's request to place nearly 12,000 satellites in three orbital shells: initially approximately 1,600 in a 550 km altitude shell, subsequently placing approximately 2,800 Ku- and Ka-band spectrum satellites at 1,150 km and approximately 7,500 V-band satellites at 340 km.
May 2019: Launch of Starlink v0.9 satellites
In May 2019, 60 Starlink v0.9 satellites were launched.
May 2019: First 60 Starlink satellites launched
In May 2019, SpaceX launched the first 60 Starlink satellites into a 550 km orbit. These satellites were part of a planned deployment of 1,440 satellites in 72 orbital planes.
May 2019: Launch of First Batch of Operational Satellites
In May 2019, the first batch of 60 operational Starlink satellites were launched.
May 2019: First significant Starlink deployment
In May 2019, the first significant deployment of 60 Starlink satellites occurred. Each satellite weighed 227 kg (500 lb) and was placed at an altitude of 550 km (340 mi).
June 2019: SpaceX Applies for License to Test Ground Terminals
In June 2019, SpaceX applied to the FCC for a license to test up to 270 ground terminals across the United States and at SpaceX employee homes in Washington state, as well as aircraft-borne antenna operation and ground-to-ground test locations.
October 15, 2019: FCC Submits Filings for Additional Starlink Satellites; Musk Tests Starlink Network
On October 15, 2019, the United States FCC submitted filings to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on SpaceX's behalf to arrange spectrum for 30,000 additional Starlink satellites. Also that month, Elon Musk publicly tested the Starlink network by using an Internet connection routed through the network to post a tweet on Twitter.
November 2019: Initial launch of Starlink v1.0 satellites
The Starlink v1.0 satellites were initially launched in November 2019.
November 20, 2019: Blanco Telescope Records Signal Loss Due to Starlink Transit
On November 20, 2019, the Blanco telescope of the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) recorded strong signal loss and the appearance of 19 white lines due to the transit of a Starlink satellite train, launched a week earlier.
2019: Transition to Manufacturing and Launch Rate Target
By late 2019, SpaceX was transitioning their satellite efforts from research and development to manufacturing, with a planned high launch rate to meet FCC spectrum allocation license assignment deadlines.
2019: Start of Starlink Satellite Launches
In 2019, SpaceX began launching Starlink satellites.
2019: Bus design for Starlink satellites has varied considerably since the first units were deployed in space
Since the first Starlink satellite units were deployed in space in 2019, the bus design for the satellites has undergone considerable variations.
March 2020: SpaceX reported producing six satellites per day
In March 2020, SpaceX reported producing six Starlink satellites per day.
April 2020: SpaceX Requests to Lower Satellite Orbits and Modifies Architecture
In April 2020, SpaceX requested to lower all higher satellite orbits to about 550 km (340 mi) and modified the architecture of the Starlink network. SpaceX submitted an application to the FCC proposing to operate more satellites in lower orbits in the first phase.
April 17, 2020: SpaceX Announces Testing of Light Pollution Mitigation Methods
On April 17, 2020, SpaceX announced in an FCC filing that it would test new methods of mitigating light pollution and provide access to satellite tracking data for astronomers to better coordinate their observations with SpaceX satellites.
June 2020: SpaceX Formally Requested Authorization for Canada
In June 2020, SpaceX formally requested authorization for Canada.
June 2020: Customer antenna photos appear online
In June 2020, photographs of the Starlink customer antennas, also known as "Dishy McFlatface", were first seen on the internet, confirming CEO Musk's earlier statements that the terminals would resemble a "UFO on a stick."
July 2020: FCC approval for five Starlink ground stations
As of July 2020, SpaceX had approvals from the FCC for five ground stations in five states in United States, out of at least 32 ground stations applied for.
July 2020: Limited Beta Internet Service Launch
In July 2020, Starlink's limited beta internet service was opened to invitees from the public.
September 2020: SpaceX applied for permission to put terminals on ships
In September 2020, SpaceX applied for permission to install Starlink terminals on 10 of its ships, anticipating entry into the maritime market.
October 2020: Starlink Beta service launched in the U.S.
In October 2020, SpaceX launched a paid-for beta service called "Better Than Nothing Beta" in the U.S., charging $499 for a user terminal. The service was expected to provide speeds of 50 to 150 Mbit/s and latency of 20 to 40 ms.
October 2020: Wider Public Beta Launch
In October 2020, a wider public beta was launched, where beta testers were charged the full monthly cost and could speak freely about their experience.
October 2020: Sunshade Implementation on Starlink Satellites
As of October 2020, over 200 Starlink satellites had a sunshade. However, an analysis in October 2020 found them to be only marginally fainter than DarkSat.
November 6, 2020: Canada Approves Starlink Satellite Constellation
On November 6, 2020, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada announced regulatory approval for the Starlink low Earth orbit satellite constellation. Canada was the first outside country to approve the service.
November 2020: Canada Approved SpaceX Authorization Request
In November 2020, the Canadian regulatory authority approved SpaceX's authorization request.
2020: Lack of Public Information on Samsung Constellation
By 2020, no more public information had been released about the Samsung constellation.
2020: Successful testing of inter-satellite laser links
In late 2020, Starlink successfully tested the inter-satellite laser links, which were not present in the early satellite launches.
2020: Expected continuous coverage with 720 satellites
SpaceX expected to have 720 satellites (12 × 60) in orbit for continuous coverage by 2020.
2020: Global Chip Shortage
The 2020 global chip shortage delayed Starlink terminal production, but this was soon resolved.
January 2021: Study Assesses Brightness Reduction of Sunshade Design
A January 2021 study pinned the brightness of Starlink satellites with sunshades at 31% of the original design, indicating some reduction in brightness.
January 2021: Starlink Beta service expanded to the United Kingdom
From January 2021, the paid-for beta service for Starlink was extended to other continents, starting with the United Kingdom.
January 2021: SpaceX Rolled Out Services in Canada
In January 2021, SpaceX rolled out services in Canada, two months after the Canadian regulatory authority approved its authorization request in November 2020.
January 24, 2021: Initial launch of Starlink v1.5 satellites
On January 24, 2021, the Starlink v1.5 satellites were initially launched.
February 2021: NRECA challenges Starlink FCC subsidy application
In February 2021, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) urged the FCC to vet SpaceX's subsidy applications for Starlink, raising concerns about serving non-rural locations and the unproven nature of the technology, which was still in beta testing.
March 2021: FCC Application for Mobile Terminals
In March 2021, SpaceX submitted an application to the FCC for mobile variations of their terminal designed for vehicles, vessels and aircraft.
April 2021: FCC Approves SpaceX Application for E-Band Use
In April 2021, the FCC approved SpaceX's application for the use of the E-band in their constellation.
May 2021: Study Highlights Interference Caused by Satellite Constellations
According to a May 2021 study, a large number of fast-moving transmitting stations (i.e. satellites) will cause further interference, potentially leading to data loss and increased time needed for studies.
May 2021: Mobile Starlink Transceivers Tested on Rocket Prototype
In May 2021, SpaceX tested high-altitude low-velocity mobile use on a rocket prototype.
November 2021: Impact of Kosmos 1408 Destruction on Starlink Operations
In November 2021, the destruction of the Russian satellite Kosmos 1408 impacted Starlink operations, leading to numerous collision avoidance maneuvers.
December 1, 2021: Starlink Collision Avoidance Maneuvers to Avoid Kosmos 1408 Debris
According to SpaceX reports, over 1,700 out of 6,873 collision avoidance maneuvers performed by Starlink satellites between December 1, 2021, and May 31, 2022, were to avoid Kosmos 1408 debris.
2021: Chinese Authorities Lodge Complaint with UN Regarding Starlink Satellites
In 2021, Chinese authorities lodged a complaint with the United Nations, saying their space station had performed evasive maneuvers that year to avoid Starlink satellites, citing a risk of collision and dangers to astronauts aboard the Chinese Tiangong space station.
2021: Sanjay Bhargava to Head Starlink Venture in India
In 2021, Sanjay Bhargava, who had worked with Musk as part of a team that founded electronic payment firm PayPal, was announced to head the tech billionaire entrepreneur's Starlink satellite broadband venture in India.
2021: Public Pre-Orders Opened in the United States and Canada
In early 2021, pre-orders were first opened to the public in the United States and Canada.
2021: Starlink Terminal Production Delay
Starlink terminal production being delayed by the global chip shortage led to only 5,000 subscribers for the last two months of 2021 but this was soon resolved.
2021: Telesat Plans to Deliver Initial Service
Telesat announced a smaller 117 satellite constellation in 2015 with plans to deliver initial service in 2021.
February 3, 2022: Launch of Starlink Group 4-7
On February 3, 2022, 49 satellites were launched as Starlink Group 4–7. A geomagnetic storm caused the atmosphere to warm, potentially leading to the loss of up to 40 satellites due to drag.
February 8, 2022: NTIA Warns FCC About Potential Impact of Starlink Constellation
On February 8, 2022, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on behalf of NASA and the NSF, submitted a formal letter to the FCC, warning about the potential impact of the Starlink constellation on low Earth orbit, increased collision risk, science missions, rocket launches, the International Space Station, and radio frequencies.
February 2022: IAU Establishes Center to Address Satellite Constellation Effects
In February 2022, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) established a center to help astronomers deal with the adverse effects of satellite constellations such as Starlink.
April 25, 2022: Hawaiian Airlines Announces Agreement with Starlink
On April 25, 2022, Hawaiian Airlines announced an agreement with Starlink to provide free internet access on its aircraft, becoming the first airline to use Starlink.
May 2022: Increased Frequency of Collision-Avoidance Maneuvers
As of May 2022, the frequency of collision avoidance maneuvers has increased substantially, with over 1,700 out of 6,873 maneuvers being performed to avoid Kosmos 1408 debris alone.
May 2022: Starlink Enters the Philippine Market
In May 2022, Starlink entered the Philippine market, its first deployment in Asia, due to legislative changes allowing all-foreign company ownership in utility entities. Starlink got provisional permission from the country's Department of Information and Communication Technologies (DICT), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and soon began commercial services, aimed at regions with lower internet connectivity.
May 2022: Regulatory Approval Granted for Nigeria, Mozambique, and the Philippines
In May 2022, it was announced that regulatory approval had been granted for Nigeria, Mozambique, and the Philippines.
May 31, 2022: Starlink Collision Avoidance Maneuvers to Avoid Kosmos 1408 Debris
According to SpaceX reports, over 1,700 out of 6,873 collision avoidance maneuvers performed by Starlink satellites between December 1, 2021, and May 31, 2022, were to avoid Kosmos 1408 debris.
June 2022: IAU Releases Website for Satellite Tracking
In June 2022, the IAU released a website for astronomers to deal with some adverse effects via satellite tracking, enabling them to avoid and time satellites for minimal impact on their work.
July 2022: Starlink Internet Service Available in 36 Countries
By July 2022, Starlink internet service was available in 36 countries and 41 markets.
August 2022: SpaceX filed plans for two Gen2 Starlink form factors
In August 2022, SpaceX made formal regulatory filings with the FCC that indicated they would build satellites of the second-generation (Gen2) constellation in two different, but technically identical, form factors: one tailored for launching on Falcon 9, and one tailored for launching on Starship.
August 2022: Starlink Secures Contract with Royal Caribbean Group
In August 2022, SpaceX secured its first contract for services in the passenger shipping industry. Royal Caribbean Group added Starlink internet to Freedom of the Seas and planned to offer the service on 50 ships under its Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises brands by March 2023.
August 2022: Security specialist examined Starlink terminals
In August 2022, security specialist Lennert Wouters presented technical architecture details about the then-current Starlink terminals. The main control unit of the dish is a STMicroelectronics custom designed chip code-named Catson which is a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53-based control processor running the Linux kernel and booted using U-Boot. The main processor uses several other custom chips such as a digital beam former named Shiraz and a front-end module named Pulsarad.
August 2022: FCC Revokes Federal Subsidies
In August 2022, the FCC revoked the $885.5 million aid package, stating that Starlink "failed to demonstrate" its ability to deliver the promised service.
September 2022: Starlink Services Offered in 40 Countries
As of September 2022, Starlink services were on offer in 40 countries, with applications pending regulatory approval in many more.
September 2022: Trials Begin at McMurdo Station in Antarctica
In September 2022, trials began at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Antarctica has no ground stations, so polar-orbiting satellites with optical interlinks are used to connect to ground stations in South America, New Zealand, and Australia.
October 2022: Musk tweeted about the number of Starlink terminals in Iran
In October 2022, Elon Musk tweeted that the number of Starlink terminals operating within Iran was approaching 100. This tweet was later cited by Iran as evidence that SpaceX could determine the location of its user terminals.
December 1, 2022: FCC Approves Launch of Gen2 Satellites
On December 1, 2022, the FCC issued an approval for SpaceX to launch the initial 7500 satellites for its second-generation (Gen2) constellation, in three low-Earth-orbit orbital shells.
December 2022: Trials Began on Field Missions in Antarctica
From December 2022, Starlink trials began on field missions in Antarctica. Antarctica has no ground stations, so polar-orbiting satellites with optical interlinks are used to connect to ground stations in South America, New Zealand, and Australia.
December 2022: Starlink Reaches 1 Million Subscribers
In December 2022, SpaceX announced that Starlink had reached over 1 million subscribers.
2022: Starlink Operating Unlawfully in South Africa
Although Starlink was officially unavailable in South Africa, it was found in June 2025 that Starlink has been operating unlawfully in South Africa since 2022, through its roaming service.
2022: Characteristics of Starlink second-generation satellites planned for launch on Starship
As of 2022, the second-generation Starlink satellites planned for launch on Starship were to have the following characteristics.
2022: SpaceX withdrew plans for the V-band system
By 2022, SpaceX had withdrawn plans to field the 7,518-satellite V-band system, superseding it with a more comprehensive design for a second-generation (Gen2) Starlink network.
2022: Starlink Revenues and Net Loss
In 2022, Revenues from Starlink were reportedly $1.4 billion accompanied by a net loss.
2022: Announcement of Starlink Business Service Tier
In 2022, SpaceX announced the Starlink Business service tier, a higher-performance version of the service, with a larger antenna.
2022: SpaceX Withdraws V-Band Plans
In 2022, SpaceX withdrew its plans for V-band satellites.
2022: Single Cash-Flow-Positive Quarter
In 2022, the Starlink business unit had a single cash-flow-positive quarter.
2022: Contact with Russian officials
Since late 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk had been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other high ranking Russian government officials.
February 2023: Launch of First Batch of Generation 2 Spacecraft
In February 2023, the first batch of Generation 2 "Mini" spacecraft was launched. SpaceX uses brightness mitigation for Gen 2 that includes a mirror-like surface which reflects sunlight back into space and orients the solar panels so that observers on the ground only see the dark sides.
February 2023: Starlink started using W band for ground station communication
Until February 2023, Starlink used the Ka-band to connect with ground stations. With the launch of v2 Mini, frequencies were added in the 71–86 GHz W band (or E band waveguide) range.
February 22, 2023: Commercial Availability of Starlink Begins in the Philippines
Commercial availability of Starlink began on February 22, 2023, in the Philippines, following regulatory approval granted in May 2022.
February 27, 2023: Launch of First Set of V2 Mini Satellites
On February 27, 2023, the first set of 21 v2 mini Starlink satellites was launched on Falcon 9 due to delays with Starship development. SpaceX committed to reducing debris by keeping the Starlink tension rods attached to the Falcon 9 second stage.
March 2023: Royal Caribbean Group to Offer Starlink on 50 Ships
By March 2023, Royal Caribbean Group planned to offer Starlink internet service on 50 ships under its Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises brands.
March 2023: SpaceX Applies to Add V-Band Payload to Second Generation Satellites
In March 2023, SpaceX submitted an application to add V-band payload to the second-generation satellites rather than fly phase 2 V-band satellites as originally planned and authorized, subject to FCC approval.
March 2023: Starlink v2 Mini Satellite Production
In March 2023, the company reported manufacturing six Starlink "v2 mini" satellites per day as well as thousands of user terminals.
May 2023: Introduction of form factors with direct-to-cellular capability
In May 2023, SpaceX introduced two more Starlink form factors with direct-to-cellular (DtC) capability.
June 2023: Observational Study Finds Minis Fainter Than Gen 1 Spacecraft
According to an observational study published in June 2023, The Minis are fainter than Gen 1 spacecraft despite being four times as large.
June 2023: Starlink Granted License to Offer Internet Services in Zambia
In June 2023, Starlink was granted a license to offer internet services in Zambia by the Zambian Government through its Electronic Government Division – SMART Zambia, following trial projects.
July 2023: Report of Failed Attempt to Sell Starlink Service to Taiwan
In July 2023, Bloomberg reported that attempts to sell Starlink service to Taiwan in 2022 fell through when SpaceX insisted on 100% ownership of the Taiwan subsidiary, conflicting with Taiwanese law requiring local control of internet service providers.
July 2023: Mongolian Government Issues Licenses to SpaceX
In July 2023, the Mongolian government issued two licenses to SpaceX, allowing them to provide internet access in the country.
September 2023: Reports of Imminent Starlink License in India
In September 2023, some Indian news outlets reported that Starlink would imminently receive its license to operate in India after meeting all regulatory requirements, but would still be required to apply for spectrum allocation.
September 2023: United Against Nuclear Iran Donates Starlink Subscriptions to Iranians
In September 2023, the US-based United Against Nuclear Iran started donating Starlink subscriptions and terminals to Iranians to allow them to circumvent Iran's internet blackout.
October 2023: Starlink Officially Goes Live in Zambia
In October 2023, Starlink officially launched its services in Zambia.
October 2023: Research Finds Starlink Satellites "Leaking Radio Signals"
In October 2023, research published in "Astronomy and Astrophysics Letters" reportedly found that Starlink satellites were "leaking radio signals," which could be detrimental to key SKA science goals.
November 2023: Starlink Receives Licenses to Operate in Fiji
In November 2023, Starlink received the licenses to operate in Fiji.
December 1, 2023: Starlink Satellites Performed Approximately 50,000 Collision-Avoidance Maneuvers between December 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024
According to SpaceX's semiannual reports filed with the Federal Communications Commission, Starlink satellites performed approximately 50,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers between December 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024, about double the number from the previous six-month period.
December 2023: FCC Denies SpaceX's Appeal for Federal Subsidies
In December 2023, the FCC formally denied SpaceX's appeal since "Starlink had not shown that it was reasonably capable of fulfilling RDOF's requirements".
2023: Starlink Net Loss
In 2023, Starlink posted a loss of $30.7 million.
2023: Brazilian Criminal Groups Use Starlink in the Amazon
In 2023, the Associated Press reported that Brazilian organized criminal groups were heavily using Starlink to exploit remote regions of the Amazon rainforest.
2023: Global Chip Shortage
The 2023 global chip shortage delayed Starlink terminal production, but this was soon resolved.
March 2024: ITU ruled in favor of Iran regarding Starlink operation
In March 2024, the ITU ruled in favor of Iran, dismissing a SpaceX assertion that it should not be expected to verify the location of every terminal connecting to its satellites. The ruling further solidified Iran's stance against unauthorized Starlink operation within its borders.
April 2024: Announcement of Trial Service in Indonesia
In April 2024, it was reported that the company would begin trial service in Indonesia in May. Starlink received its license to operate in Indonesia in early May.
April 2024: Reports of Starlink Receiving "In-Principle Government Approval" in India
In April 2024, some Indian news outlets reported that Starlink had received its "in-principle government approval" in India and that the approval now "lies at the desk of communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw".
May 2024: SpaceX successfully launched over 6,000 Starlink satellites into orbit
Between February 2018 and May 2024, SpaceX successfully launched over 6,000 Starlink satellites into orbit, including prototypes and satellites that later failed or were de-orbited before entering operational service.
May 2024: Starlink Launches Service in Fiji
In May 2024, Starlink service was launched in Fiji.
May 2024: Starlink Service Available for Pre-Order in Sri Lanka
In May 2024, Starlink service was made available for pre-order in Sri Lanka, pending regulatory approval.
May 2024: Starlink Revenue Predictions
In May 2024, Starlink's revenue was expected to reach $6.6 billion, but by December the prediction was raised to $7.7 billion.
May 31, 2024: Starlink Satellites Performed Approximately 50,000 Collision-Avoidance Maneuvers between December 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024
According to SpaceX's semiannual reports filed with the Federal Communications Commission, Starlink satellites performed approximately 50,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers between December 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024, about double the number from the previous six-month period.
June 2024: Announcement of Starlink Mini
In June 2024, a portable user terminal dubbed "Starlink Mini" was announced, offering 100 Mbit/s download speed and designed to fit in a backpack. Initial rollout was planned for Latin America at a $200 price point.
August 2024: Starlink Granted License in Sri Lanka
In August 2024, Starlink Lanka (Private) Limited was granted a Telecommunications Service Provider License by TRCSL, allowing it to operate satellite internet services in the country.
August 2024: Starlink Receives Licenses to Operate in Yemen
In August 2024, Starlink received licenses to operate in Yemen. Starlink services will be implemented through the corporation's sales points distributed across most governorates. These points will provide a full range of services, including device sales, activation, subscription fee payments, and direct technical support.
September 2024: Starlink Reaches 4 Million Subscribers
In September 2024, SpaceX announced that Starlink had reached 4 million subscribers.
September 2024: United Airlines to Install Starlink Services
In September 2024, United Airlines announced it would install Starlink services on its entire fleet, including mainland and regional aircraft, to offer free high-speed Wi-Fi to all passengers.
October 2024: Musk's contact with Putin and Russian officials
The Wall Street Journal reported in October 2024 that Musk had been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other high ranking Russian government officials since late 2022.
November 2024: Morocco Set to Give Regulatory Approval to Starlink
As of November 2024, Morocco is set to give regulatory approval to Starlink by 2025.
November 2024: Musk Pledges Continued Support for Ukraine
In a November 2024 call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Musk said he will continue supporting Ukraine through Starlink.
2024: Starlink Net Profit
In 2024 Starlink posted a net profit of $72.7 million, marking the first year of profitability for the service.
2024: Tensions Between Brazil and Elon Musk's Business Ventures
In 2024, tensions between Brazil and Elon Musk's business ventures escalated, with Anatel threatening to sanction Starlink after Brazil's top court upheld a ban on X.
2024: Starlink Used by Azawadi Separatist Group
In 2024, the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) adopted Starlink to coordinate operations, share intelligence, and communicate its narrative. During the Battle of Tinzaouaten in 2024, Starlink allowed the FLA to maintain secure communication across its dispersed units and release updates on social media, increasing its visibility.
2024: Cost estimation of Starlink
In 2024, the cost estimation of the development of Starlink was $12,270,000,000.
2024: Value of the Beta service fee in 2020 adjusted for inflation in 2024
In October 2020, SpaceX charged $499 for a user terminal for its "Better Than Nothing Beta". This is equivalent to $594.2 in 2024.
March 2025: Musk Claims Licensing Issues in South Africa Due to Race
Earlier in March 2025, Musk claimed that "Starlink can't get a license to operate in South Africa simply because I'm not black", referencing the South African Electronic Communications Act, 2005, which requires telecom licensees to allocate at least 30% equity ownership to historically disadvantaged groups.
March 2025: FAA Approves United to Equip Aircraft with Starlink Antennas
In March 2025, the FAA issued final approval for United Airlines to begin equipping its aircraft with Starlink antennas.
March 2025: Starlink Rollout Placed on Hold in Sri Lanka
In March 2025, the government placed the Starlink rollout on hold in Sri Lanka due to concerns over the absence of lawful interception provisions in the license.
March 2025: Indian Telecom Companies Partner with Starlink
On 11 and 12 March 2025, Indian telecom companies Airtel and Jio have partnered with Starlink to bring satellite internet to India, aiming to improve connectivity in remote areas.
April 2025: Houthi Rebels Demand Surrender of Starlink Devices in Yemen
In April 2025, Houthi rebels in Yemen demanded that residents surrender their Starlink devices.
May 2025: Starlink Constellation Status
In May 2025, the Starlink constellation consisted of over 7,600 mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit, comprising 65% of all active satellites.
June 2, 2025: All Regulatory Conditions Fulfilled for Starlink Launch in Sri Lanka
By June 2, 2025, the Deputy Minister of Technology confirmed that all regulatory conditions had been fulfilled for Starlink launch in Sri Lanka, including the integration of oversight mechanisms, clearing the way for the launch.
June 2025: Starlink Suspends Roaming Services in South Africa
In June 2025 Starlink began notifying its users of its Roam Unlimited and Global Roaming plans in South Africa that their service had been suspended, where it has been operating unlawfully since 2022.
July 2, 2025: Starlink Officially Launches Services in Sri Lanka
On July 2, 2025, Starlink officially launched its services in Sri Lanka.
July 2025: Starlink Broadband Service Available in 115 Countries
As of July 2025, Starlink broadband services are available in 115 countries, due to International Telecommunication Union (ITU) regulations requiring landing rights granted by each country, though the Starlink network has near-global reach at latitudes below approximately 60°.
August 2025: Starlink tested mini laser for connectivity
In August 2025, Starlink tested a “mini laser” to allow connectivity for third party satellites and space stations with the Starlink constellation.
October 2025: Starship Tests with Starlink Simulators
As of October 2025, SpaceX has conducted multiple tests of the Starlink deployment system on Starship, carrying up to 10 Starlink "simulators" as payload on each test flight.
October 22, 2025: SpaceX Cuts Off Starlink Devices Used in Myanmar Scamming Centers
On October 22, 2025, SpaceX announced that access to at least 2,500 Starlink devices used in Myanmar scamming centers was cut off, following reports that the devices were supplying key support to scam centers in Southeast Asia.
November 2025: Starlink Reaches 8 Million Subscribers
In November 2025, SpaceX announced that Starlink had reached 8 million subscribers.
2025: Morocco Set to Give Regulatory Approval to Starlink
As of November 2024, Morocco is set to give regulatory approval to Starlink by 2025.
2025: SpaceX Expects Revenue from Starlink
In 2025, SpaceX expected annual revenue from Starlink to exceed $30 billion.
2025: Starlink Revenue Prediction
In 2025, Starlink revenue was expected to reach $11.8 billion.
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