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 over 100 countries and territories and aims to provide global mobile broadband. Starlink has been instrumental to SpaceX's growth.
January 2015: Initial Plans for Starlink Constellation
As of January 2015, initial plans outlined the Starlink constellation to consist of approximately 4,000 cross-linked satellites, more than doubling the total number of operational satellites then in orbit.
February 2015: SpaceX Asks FCC to Consider Innovative Uses of Ka-Band
In February 2015, SpaceX requested the FCC to consider future innovative uses of the Ka-band spectrum before committing to 5G regulations that might create barriers to entry.
June 2015: SpaceX Announces Plans to Launch Demonstration Satellites
At the time of the June 2015 announcement, SpaceX had stated plans to launch the first two demonstration satellites in 2016, but the target date was subsequently moved out to 2018.
2016: Original Target Date for Launch of Demonstration Satellites
In June 2015, SpaceX announced plans to launch the first two demonstration satellites in 2016, but the target date was subsequently moved out to 2018.
October 2017: Market shift due to lower-altitude constellations
In October 2017, the anticipation of increased satellite network capacity from emerging lower-altitude broadband constellations led market players to cancel investments in new geosynchronous orbit broadband communications satellites.
February 22, 2018: Launch of Tintin A and Tintin B Test Satellites
On February 22, 2018, SpaceX commenced flight testing of its satellite technologies with the launch of two test satellites, MicroSat-2a and MicroSat-2b, renamed Tintin A and Tintin B, which launched with the Paz satellite on a Falcon 9 rocket.
May 2018: Cost of Development Estimated
In May 2018, SpaceX estimated the total cost of development and buildout of the Starlink constellation to approach $10 billion.
November 2018: SpaceX Announces Initial Shell Configuration
In November 2018, SpaceX announced its intention to operate an initial shell of approximately 1600 satellites in the constellation at an orbital altitude of about 550 km (340 mi).
May 2019: Launch of 60 Starlink v0.9 Satellites
In May 2019, SpaceX launched 60 Starlink v0.9 satellites.
May 2019: First Significant Deployment of Starlink Satellites
In May 2019, SpaceX launched its first major deployment of 60 Starlink satellites, each weighing 227 kg (500 lb).
May 2019: First Batch of Satellites Launched
In May 2019, the first batch of 60 operational Starlink satellites were launched.
November 2019: Launch of Starlink v1.0 Satellites
Since November 2019, Starlink v1.0 satellites have been launched, with additional characteristics.
July 2020: FCC Approves Five Starlink Ground Stations
As of July 2020, SpaceX had received approvals from the FCC for five of at least 32 ground stations in the United States.
September 2020: SpaceX Applies to Put Terminals on Ships
In September 2020, SpaceX applied for permission to install Starlink terminals on 10 of its ships, signaling its intention to enter the maritime market.
October 2020: SpaceX Launches "Better Than Nothing Beta" Service
In October 2020, SpaceX initiated a paid beta service in the U.S. called "Better Than Nothing Beta," charging $499 for a user terminal and promising speeds of 50 to 150 Mbit/s.
2020: Successful Testing of Inter-Satellite Laser Links
In late 2020, Starlink successfully tested its inter-satellite laser links after launching early satellites without them.
January 2021: Paid-For Beta Service Extended to the United Kingdom
From January 2021, the paid-for beta service initially launched in the U.S. was extended to other continents, beginning with the United Kingdom.
January 24, 2021: Launch of Starlink v1.5 Satellites
Since January 24, 2021, Starlink v1.5 satellites have been launched, with additional characteristics.
February 2021: NRECA challenges Starlink's FCC subsidy application
In February 2021, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) urged the FCC to vet SpaceX's subsidy applications, questioning the allocation of funds to non-rural areas and the unproven nature of Starlink's technology, which was still in beta testing at the time.
2021: SpaceX Preparing for Starlink v2 Production
By early 2021, SpaceX was preparing for the production of Starlink v2 satellites.
April 25, 2022: Hawaiian Airlines Agrees to Offer Free Starlink Internet
On April 25, 2022, Hawaiian Airlines announced an agreement with Starlink to provide free internet access on its aircraft, becoming the first airline to adopt Starlink.
May 2022: Regulatory Approvals Granted for Nigeria, Mozambique, and the Philippines
In May 2022, Starlink announced that it had received regulatory approval to operate in Nigeria, Mozambique, and the Philippines.
May 2022: Starlink Gen2 Satellites Require Starship Launch
As of May 2022, SpaceX stated that second-generation (Gen2) satellites would need to be launched on Starship due to their size.
July 2022: Starlink Available in 36 Countries and 41 Markets
By July 2022, Starlink internet service had expanded its availability to 36 countries and 41 markets worldwide.
August 2022: SpaceX Secures First Passenger Shipping Contract
In August 2022, SpaceX obtained its first contract in the passenger shipping sector with Royal Caribbean Group, planning to install Starlink internet on 50 ships by March 2023.
August 2022: Security Specialist Presents Starlink Terminal Technical Architecture
In August 2022, in response to an open invitation from SpaceX, security specialist Lennert Wouters presented technical architecture details about the then-current Starlink terminals, revealing that the dish's main control unit is a STMicroelectronics custom chip.
August 2022: FCC Revokes Federal Subsidies
In August 2022, the FCC revoked the $885.5 million aid package for Starlink, stating that Starlink "failed to demonstrate" its ability to deliver the promised service.
September 2022: Starlink Trials Begin at McMurdo Station in Antarctica
In September 2022, trials of Starlink services commenced at McMurdo Station in Antarctica, utilizing polar-orbiting satellites with optical interlinks due to the absence of local ground stations.
December 2022: Starlink Field Missions Begin in Antarctica
From December 2022, Starlink services were deployed on field missions in Antarctica, relying on polar-orbiting satellites with optical interlinks to connect to ground stations in other regions.
February 2023: Frequencies Added in the 71-86 GHz W Band
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: Starlink Commercial Availability Begins in the Philippines
On February 22, 2023, Starlink officially launched commercial availability of its internet services in the Philippines.
March 2023: Royal Caribbean to offer Starlink on 50 ships
By March 2023, the Royal Caribbean Group planned to offer Starlink internet service on 50 ships across its Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises brands.
May 2023: SpaceX Introduces Form Factors with Direct-to-Cell Capability
In May 2023, SpaceX introduced two additional Starlink form factors equipped with direct-to-cellular (DtC) capability.
June 2023: Starlink Receives License in Zambia
In June 2023, the Zambian Government granted Starlink a license to provide internet services following successful trial projects across the country.
July 2023: Mongolian Government Issues Licenses to SpaceX
In July 2023, the Mongolian government granted two licenses to SpaceX, enabling the company to offer internet access within the country.
September 2023: Reports of Imminent Starlink License in India
In September 2023, Indian news outlets reported that Starlink was expected to imminently receive its license to operate in India, contingent on spectrum allocation.
September 2023: Donations to Iran to circumvent internet blackout
In September 2023, United Against Nuclear Iran started donating Starlink subscriptions and terminals to Iranians to circumvent Iran's internet blackout.
October 2023: Starlink Officially Launches in Zambia
In October 2023, Starlink officially began providing internet services in Zambia after receiving the necessary licenses and completing trial projects.
November 2023: Starlink Receives Licenses to Operate in Fiji
In November 2023, Starlink was granted licenses to operate in Fiji, paving the way for the launch of services in the country.
December 2023: FCC Denies SpaceX's Appeal
In December 2023, the FCC formally denied SpaceX's appeal to reinstate the $885.5 million aid package, stating that "Starlink had not shown that it was reasonably capable of fulfilling RDOF's requirements to deploy a network of the scope, scale, and size" required to win the subsidy.
April 2024: Report of Starlink Government Approval in India Awaits Final Signature
In April 2024, Indian news reported Starlink received "in-principle government approval", awaiting final approval from the communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
April 2024: Starlink Trial Service to Begin in Indonesia in May
In April 2024, it was announced that Starlink would begin a trial service in Indonesia in May, preceding the acquisition of its license to operate.
May 2024: Starlink Launches Service in Fiji
In May 2024, Starlink officially launched its internet service in Fiji, expanding its global reach.
May 2024: Starlink Service Available for Pre-Order in Sri Lanka
In May 2024, Starlink service became available for pre-order in Sri Lanka, pending regulatory approval for its operation in the country.
May 2024: Revenue Expectations
In May 2024, Starlink's revenue was expected to reach $6.6 billion, but later in that year the prediction was raised to $7.7 billion.
June 2024: Starlink Mini Portable Terminal Announced
In June 2024, "Starlink Mini", a portable user terminal supporting 100 Mbit/s download speeds and fitting in a backpack, was announced with initial rollout in Latin America at $200.
July 2024: Testing Starlink with Romanian Ministry of Defense
Starting in July 2024, SpaceX began conducting tests on Starlink in cooperation with the Romanian Ministry of National Defense and National Authority for Communications Administration and Regulation (ANCOM) to test improvement to speed and coverage.
August 2024: Starlink Receives Licenses to Operate in Yemen
In August 2024, Starlink secured licenses to operate in Yemen, with plans to implement services through distributed sales points providing device sales, activation, and technical support.
September 2024: Over 4 Million Subscribers
In September 2024, Starlink announced that they reached 4 million subscribers.
October 2024: Musk's contact with Putin Reported
In October 2024, the Wall Street Journal reported that Musk had been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other high ranking Russian government officials since late 2022, discussing personal topics, business and geopolitical matters.
November 2024: Morocco Set to Approve Starlink by 2025
As of November 2024, Morocco is anticipated to grant regulatory approval to Starlink by 2025, paving the way for Starlink services in the region.
November 2024: Musk Promises to Continue Supporting Ukraine
In November 2024, Musk had a call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy where he promised to continue supporting Ukraine through Starlink.
2025: Morocco set to give regulatory approval to Starlink
By 2025, Morocco is set to give regulatory approval to Starlink.
