History of Starlink in Timeline
Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, is a satellite internet constellation providing coverage to approximately 150 countries and territories, with aspirations for global mobile broadband. It's a crucial component of SpaceX's overall business strategy and growth. The service aims to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet access, particularly to underserved areas around the globe.
2005: Reference to 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, which likely 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, has been disputed by officials within the South African government.
2012: Starlink Name Inspiration
In 2012, the name Starlink was inspired by the novel "The Fault in Our Stars".
January 2015: Starlink Public Announcement
In January 2015, Starlink was publicly announced with the opening of the SpaceX satellite development facility in Redmond, Washington.
January 2015: Initial Plans for Starlink Constellation
In January 2015, initial plans forecasted a constellation of approximately 4,000 cross-linked satellites, more than twice the number of operational satellites in orbit at that time.
February 2015: SpaceX Asks FCC to Consider Innovative Uses of Ka-Band Spectrum
In February 2015, SpaceX requested the FCC to consider future innovative uses of the Ka-band spectrum before committing to 5G communications regulations that could create barriers to entry for new satellite communications market entrants.
February 2015: Analysts question satellite operators about LEO competition
In February 2015, financial analysts questioned established geosynchronous orbit communications satellite fleet operators about how they intended to respond to the competitive threat of SpaceX and OneWeb LEO communication satellites.
June 2015: SpaceX Announces Plans to Launch First Demonstration Satellites
At the time of the June 2015 announcement, SpaceX had stated plans to launch the first two demonstration satellites in 2016.
October 2015: SpaceX indicates satellite network business case in early phase
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, despite ongoing development.
2015: Samsung and Telesat announce satellite constellation plans
In 2015, Samsung proposed a 4,600-satellite constellation, and Telesat announced plans for a smaller 117 satellite constellation.
July 2016: SpaceX Acquires Creative Space in Irvine
In July 2016, SpaceX acquired an additional 740 m (8,000 sq ft) creative space in Irvine, California, for signal processing, RFIC, and ASIC development for the satellite program.
October 2016: Focus on Low-Cost User Equipment Design
By October 2016, the satellite division was focusing on the business challenge of 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.
2016: Target Date for Launching Demonstration Satellites Moved Out
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: SpaceX Confirms Connection in FCC Application
In 2016, SpaceX confirmed the connection to the STEAM application in its application to license Starlink with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
January 2017: SpaceX Takes on Second Facility in Redmond
By January 2017, SpaceX had expanded its operations in Redmond, Washington, by acquiring a second 2,800 m (30,000 sq ft) facility.
January 2017: Revenue Prediction
In January 2017, SpaceX expected annual revenue from Starlink to reach $12 billion by 2022 and exceed $30 billion by 2025.
March 2017: SpaceX files plans for V-band satellites
In March 2017, SpaceX filed plans with the FCC for a second orbital shell of more than 7,500 V-band satellites in non-geosynchronous orbits to provide communications services, called the "Very-low Earth orbit (VLEO) constellation", 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 constellation to be in orbit within six years and the full system operating within nine years.
October 2017: Market players cancel geosynchronous orbit satellite investments
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: Launch of Two Test Satellites
In February 2018, SpaceX launched two test satellites for Starlink.
March 2018: FCC Approves Initial SpaceX 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 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: Cost Estimation
In May 2018, SpaceX estimated the total cost of designing, building and deploying the constellation would be at least US$10 billion.
May 2018: SpaceX Expects Development Cost to Approach $10 Billion
In May 2018, SpaceX expected the total cost of development and buildout of the Starlink constellation to approach $10 billion.
August 2018: SpaceX Consolidates Seattle-area Operations
In August 2018, SpaceX consolidated its 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 AWS ground station unit
In November 2018, Amazon announced a large network of twelve satellite ground station facilities, known as the "AWS ground station unit".
November 2018: SpaceX Plans Initial Shell of 1600 Satellites at 550 km Altitude
In November 2018, SpaceX announced its plan to operate an initial shell of about 1600 satellites in the constellation at approximately 550 km orbital altitude.
November 2018: Regulatory approval to deploy V-band satellites
In November 2018, SpaceX received U.S. regulatory approval to deploy 7,518 V-band broadband satellites, in addition to the 4,425 approved earlier and also requested the ability to alter its previously granted license in order to operate approximately 1,600 of the 4,425 Ka-/Ku-band satellites approved for operation at 1,150 km in a new lower shell of the constellation at only 550 km orbital altitude.
February 2019: Request for fixed satellite Earth station license
In February 2019, SpaceX Services Incorporated, filed a request with the FCC to receive a license for the operation of up to a million fixed satellite Earth stations that would communicate with its non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite Starlink system.
April 2019: Amazon announces Project Kuiper
In April 2019, Amazon announced "Project Kuiper", a plan to launch 3,236 satellites over the next decade to create a broadband internet satellite constellation working with Amazon's existing ground station network.
April 2019: FCC approves satellite deployment
In April 2019, the FCC approved SpaceX's request to place nearly 12,000 satellites in three orbital shells.
May 2019: First 60 satellites launched
In May 2019, SpaceX launched the first 60 Starlink satellites into a 550 km orbit.
May 2019: Launch of Starlink v0.9 Satellites
In May 2019, the 60 Starlink v0.9 satellites were launched.
May 2019: First Batch of Operational Starlink Satellites Launched
In May 2019, the first batch of 60 operational Starlink satellites were launched.
May 2019: First Significant Deployment of 60 Satellites
In May 2019, the first significant deployment of 60 Starlink satellites occurred, with each satellite weighing 227 kg.
June 2019: FCC License Application for Ground Terminal Testing
In June 2019, SpaceX applied to the FCC for a license to test up to 270 ground terminals across the United States.
October 15, 2019: FCC filings for additional satellites
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.
November 2019: Initial Launch of Starlink v1.0 Satellites
In November 2019, the Starlink v1.0 satellites were initially launched.
November 20, 2019: Signal loss recorded at Cerro Tololo Observatory
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 on a DECam shot, correlated to the transit of a Starlink satellite train.
2019: Transition to Manufacturing
By late 2019, SpaceX transitioned its satellite efforts from research and development to manufacturing, planning the first large-group satellite launch and targeting a high launch rate.
2019: Starlink Satellites Launch Begins
In 2019, SpaceX began launching Starlink satellites.
2019: US Air Force Research Laboratory demonstrates data link through Starlink
In 2019, tests by the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) demonstrated a 610 Mbit/s data link through Starlink to a Beechcraft C-12 Huron aircraft in flight. Additionally, in late 2019, the United States Air Force successfully tested a connection with Starlink on an AC-130 Gunship.
2019: Variations in Bus Design Since First Units Deployed
Since the first units were deployed in space in 2019, the bus design for Starlink satellites has varied considerably.
March 2020: SpaceX reports producing six satellites per day
In March 2020, SpaceX announced that they were producing six Starlink satellites per day.
April 2020: Request to lower satellite orbits
In April 2020, SpaceX requested to lower all other higher satellite orbits to about 550 km. SpaceX also modified the architecture of the Starlink network and submitted an application to the FCC proposing to operate more satellites in lower orbits in the first phase.
April 17, 2020: SpaceX to test methods of mitigating light pollution
On April 17, 2020, SpaceX wrote in an FCC filing that it would test new methods of mitigating light pollution, and also provide access to satellite tracking data for astronomers to better coordinate their observations with our satellites.
April 27, 2020: Musk announces new sunshade design
On April 27, 2020, Musk announced that the company would introduce a new sunshade designed to reduce the brightness of Starlink satellites.
June 2020: Customer Antenna Photographs Surface
In June 2020, photographs of Starlink customer antennas appeared on the internet, confirming statements by SpaceX CEO Musk that the terminals would resemble a "UFO on a stick".
June 2020: SpaceX Formally Requests Authorization for Canada
SpaceX formally requested authorization for Canada in June 2020.
July 2020: Approval of Five Ground Stations
As of July 2020, SpaceX had approvals for five Starlink ground stations in the United States.
July 2020: Limited Beta Internet Service Opens
In July 2020, Starlink's limited beta internet service was opened to invitees from the public, who had to sign non-disclosure agreements.
September 2020: SpaceX Applies to Put Terminals on Ships
In September 2020, SpaceX applied for permission to install terminals on 10 of its ships, anticipating entry into the maritime market.
October 2020: Sunshade introduced on over 200 satellites
As of October 2020, over 200 Starlink satellites had a sunshade. An October 2020 analysis found them to be only marginally fainter than DarkSat.
October 2020: SDA awards SpaceX contract to develop satellites for missile detection
In October 2020, SDA awarded SpaceX an initial $150 million contract to develop 4 satellites to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.
October 2020: Starlink Launches "Better Than Nothing Beta"
In October 2020, SpaceX launched a paid-for beta service in the U.S. called "Better Than Nothing Beta", charging $499 for a user terminal with expected service of 50 to 150 Mbit/s and latency from 20 to 40 ms.
October 2020: Wider Public Beta Launched
In October 2020, a wider public beta was launched, with beta testers charged the full monthly cost and free to discuss their experiences, reporting speeds over 150 Mbit/s.
November 6, 2020: Canada Approves Starlink Low Earth Orbit Satellite Constellation
On November 6, 2020, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada announced regulatory approval for the Starlink low Earth orbit satellite constellation, making Canada the first outside country to approve the service.
November 2020: Canadian Regulatory Authority Approves Starlink
In November 2020, the Canadian regulatory authority approved Starlink.
2020: Samsung constellation information unreleased
By 2020, no more public information had been released about the Samsung constellation announced in 2015.
2020: Expected continuous coverage
In 2020, SpaceX expected to have 720 Starlink satellites in orbit for continuous coverage.
2020: SpaceX hires Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy
In 2020, SpaceX hired retired four-star general Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, who is associated with Starlink's military satellite development and is listed as a "chief operating officer" at SpaceX.
2020: Air Force uses Starlink in live-fire exercise
In 2020, the Air Force used Starlink in support of its Advanced Battlefield management system during a live-fire exercise. They demonstrated Starlink connected to a "variety of air and terrestrial assets" including the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.
2020: Successful Testing of Inter-Satellite Laser Links
In late 2020, Starlink successfully tested its inter-satellite laser links.
2020: Chip Shortage Impact
The 2020 global chip shortage delayed Starlink terminal production, leading to only 5,000 subscribers for the last two months of 2021.
January 2021: Study of sunshade brightness
A January 2021 study pinned the brightness of Starlink satellites with sunshades at 31% of the original design.
January 2021: Beta Service Extended to the United Kingdom
From January 2021, the paid-for beta service was extended to other continents, starting with the United Kingdom.
January 2021: Starlink Service Rolled Out in Canada
In January 2021, SpaceX rolled out Starlink service in Canada.
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 SpaceX Starlink subsidy application
In February 2021, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) urged the FCC to scrutinize SpaceX's subsidy applications for Starlink, citing concerns about service locations and unproven technology.
March 2021: Application for Mobile Terminals
In March 2021, SpaceX submitted an application to the FCC for mobile variations of their Starlink terminal designed for vehicles, vessels, and aircraft.
April 2021: FCC approves E-band application
In April 2021, the FCC approved SpaceX's application for use of the E-band in their constellation.
May 2021: Study on satellite interference
According to a May 2021 study, a large number of fast-moving transmitting stations (i.e. satellites) will cause further interference, increasing the time needed for each study and limiting the overall amount of science done.
May 2021: Testing of Mobile Starlink Transceivers
In May 2021, SpaceX tested high-altitude, low-velocity mobile use of Starlink transceivers on a rocket prototype.
November 2021: Destruction of Kosmos 1408
The destruction of the Russian satellite Kosmos 1408 in November 2021 by an anti-satellite weapon test impacted Starlink operations.
December 1, 2021: Collision avoidance maneuvers due to 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: SpaceX Prepares for Starlink v2 Production
By early 2021, SpaceX was preparing for the production of Starlink v2 satellites, with Musk stating they would be "an order of magnitude better than Starlink 1" in terms of communications bandwidth.
2021: Chinese complaint to the United Nations
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, and two close encounters with the satellites in July and October constituted dangers to the life or health of astronauts aboard the Chinese Tiangong space station.
2021: Telesat plans initial service delivery
In 2021, Telesat plans to deliver initial service of its 117 satellite constellation.
2021: Pre-Orders Opened in US and Canada
In early 2021, pre-orders for Starlink were first opened to the public in the United States and Canada.
2021: Limited Subscribers Due to Chip Shortage
Starlink terminal production, being delayed by the 2020 global chip shortage, led to only 5,000 subscribers for the last two months of 2021
January 2022: SpaceX deploys national security satellites for the U.S. government
In January 2022, SpaceX deployed four national security satellites for the U.S. government on their Transporter-3 rideshare mission. In the same year they launched another group of four U.S. satellites with an on-orbit spare Globalstar FM-15 satellite in June.
February 3, 2022: Starlink Group 4-7 launched
On February 3, 2022, 49 Starlink satellites were launched as Starlink Group 4–7.
February 8, 2022: NTIA warning about potential impact
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 on low Earth orbit, increased collision risk, impact on science missions, rocket launches, International Space Station and radio frequencies due to the extension of the Starlink constellation.
February 2022: IAU establishes center to deal with satellite 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, including developing software tools, policies, community outreach, and industry collaboration.
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, making it the first airline to use Starlink.
May 2022: Increase in collision-avoidance maneuvers
As of May 2022, the average Starlink satellite had conducted fewer than three collision-avoidance maneuvers over the 6 preceding months. However, the frequency has increased substantially, with over 1,700 out of 6,873 maneuvers being performed to avoid Kosmos 1408 debris alone.
May 2022: Chinese military researchers describe strategy for destroying Starlink
In May 2022, Chinese military researchers published an article describing a strategy for destroying the Starlink constellation if they threaten national security. Concerns were raised about Starlink's reported military capabilities. Russian officials also criticized Starlink, warning it could become a military target.
May 2022: Starlink Enters Philippine Market
In May 2022, Starlink entered the Philippine market, marking the company's first deployment in Asia, due to legislative changes allowing full foreign ownership of utility entities.
May 2022: Regulatory Approval Granted for Nigeria, Mozambique, and the Philippines
In May 2022, it was announced that regulatory approval had been granted for Starlink to operate in Nigeria, Mozambique, and the Philippines.
May 2022: Starlink Gen2 Satellites Require Starship Launch
As of May 2022, SpaceX stated that the second-generation (Gen2) constellation satellites needed to be launched on Starship due to their size.
June 2022: IAU releases satellite tracking website
In June 2022, the IAU released a website for astronomers to deal with some adverse effects of satellite constellations via satellite tracking.
July 2022: Starlink Internet Service Available in 36 Countries and 41 Markets
By July 2022, Starlink internet service was available in 36 countries and 41 markets.
July 2022: Starlink Maritime service becomes available
In July 2022, Starlink Maritime became available, offering internet access on the open ocean at speeds of 350 Mbit/s. This service requires a maritime-grade $10,000 user terminal and a $5,000 monthly service fee.
August 2022: Starlink lowers service costs in select countries
In August 2022, SpaceX lowered monthly Starlink service costs for users in select countries, with Brazil and Chile seeing fee decreases of approximately 50%.
August 2022: Royal Caribbean Group Adds Starlink Internet to its Fleet
In August 2022, SpaceX secured its first contract for services in the passenger shipping industry. Royal Caribbean Group added Starlink internet to its Freedom of the Seas liner.
August 2022: Security Specialist Presents Starlink Terminal Technical Details
In August 2022, security specialist Lennert Wouters presented several technical architecture details about the then-current Starlink terminals.
August 2022: FCC Revokes Federal Subsidies
In August 2022, the FCC revoked the $885.5 million aid package awarded to SpaceX, 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: Starlink Trials Begin at McMurdo Station in Antarctica
In September 2022, Starlink trials began at McMurdo Station in Antarctica.
September 2022: Original scheduled launch of missile tracking satellites
The first batch of satellites to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles were originally scheduled to launch in September 2022 to form part of the Tracking Layer Tranche 0 of the U.S. Space Force's National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA).
October 2022: Musk Claims 100 Starlink Terminals Operating in Iran
In October 2022, Musk tweeted that the number of Starlink terminals operating within Iran was "approaching 100".
December 1, 2022: FCC Approves Gen2 Satellites
On December 1, 2022, the FCC approved SpaceX to launch the initial 7500 satellites for its second-generation (Gen2) constellation in three low-Earth-orbit orbital shells.
December 2022: Starlink Trials Begin on Field Missions in Antarctica
From December 2022, Starlink trials began on field missions in Antarctica, utilizing polar-orbiting satellites with optical interlinks to connect to ground stations in South America, New Zealand, and Australia.
December 2022: SpaceX announces Starshield
In December 2022, SpaceX announced Starshield, a separate Starlink service designed for government entities and military agencies. Starshield allows the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to own or lease Starshield satellites. Elon Musk stated that Starlink needs to be a civilian network, and Starshield will be owned by the U.S. government and controlled by DoD Space Force.
December 2022: Starlink Reaches 1 Million Subscribers
In December 2022, SpaceX announced that Starlink had reached over 1 million subscribers.
2022: Characteristics of Starlink Second-Generation Satellites Planned for Starship Launch
As of 2022, Starlink second-generation satellites planned for launch on Starship were planned to have specific characteristics.
2022: Starlink Illegally Operating in South Africa
As of June 2025, Starlink was found to have been operating unlawfully in South Africa since 2022, with users utilizing roaming services as a workaround.
2022: V-band plans withdrawn
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: Revenue Report for 2022
In 2022, Revenues from Starlink in 2022 were reportedly $1.4 billion accompanied by a net loss.
2022: Starlink Business Service Tier Announced
In 2022, SpaceX announced the Starlink Business service tier, a higher-performance version of the service with a larger antenna and speeds between 150 and 500 Mbit/s, costing $2500 for the antenna and $500 monthly.
2022: Starlink speeds degrade
In 2022, according to Ookla, a internet analysis company, Starlink speeds degraded during the first half of the year as more customers subscribed to the service. SpaceX stated that speeds would improve as more satellites were deployed.
2022: Starlink Revenue and Net Loss in 2022
In 2022, revenues from Starlink were reportedly $1.4 billion, but the company experienced a net loss.
2022: Single Cash-Flow-Positive Quarter During 2022
The Starlink business unit had a single cash-flow-positive quarter during 2022.
2022: Musk's Contact with Russian Officials since late 2022
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.
January 2023: Zipair Tokyo Announces Deal with Starlink
In January 2023, Zipair Tokyo announced a deal with Starlink.
February 2023: First batch of Generation 2 spacecraft launched
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 orient the solar panels so that observers on the ground only see the dark sides.
February 2023: Addition of Frequencies in the 71–86 GHz W band with v2 Mini Launch
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
On February 22, 2023, commercial availability of Starlink began in the Philippines.
February 27, 2023: First launch of v2 mini satellites
On February 27, 2023, the first set of 21 v2 mini Starlink satellites was launched on a Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX committed to reducing debris by keeping the Starlink tension rods, which hold the v2 mini-satellites together during launch, attached to the Falcon 9 second stage. Observations confirm that v2 mini satellites host two solar panels.
March 2023: Royal Caribbean Plans to Offer Starlink on 50 Ships by March 2023
By March 2023, Royal Caribbean Group planned to offer Starlink service on 50 ships under its Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises brands.
March 2023: Application to add V-band payload to Gen2 satellites
In March 2023, SpaceX submitted an application to add V-band payload to the second generation Starlink satellites rather than fly phase 2 V-band satellites as originally planned and authorized.
March 2023: Production of v2 mini Satellites
In March 2023, the company reported manufacturing six Starlink "v2 mini" satellites per day, as well as thousands of user terminals.
April 2023: Rogers and One NZ sign agreements with SpaceX for satellite-to-phone services
In April 2023, Rogers Communications in Canada signed an agreement with SpaceX for using Starlink for satellite-to-phone services. Also in April 2023, One NZ (formerly Vodafone New Zealand) announced a partnership with SpaceX's Starlink to provide 100% mobile network coverage over New Zealand.
April 2023: Launch of missile tracking satellites
The launch schedule for the satellites to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles slipped multiple times, but eventually launched in April 2023.
May 2023: Introduction of Direct-to-Cellular Form Factors
In May 2023, SpaceX introduced two more Starlink form factors with direct-to-cellular (DtC) capability.
June 2023: Observational study on Gen 2 brightness
According to an observational study published in June 2023, the Minis are fainter than Gen 1 spacecraft despite being four times as large, being 44% as bright as VisorSats, 24% compared to V1.5 and 19% compared to the original design which had no brightness mitigation.
June 2023: Starlink Granted License to Offer Internet Services in Zambia
In June 2023, the Zambian Government granted Starlink a license to offer internet services after trial projects throughout the country.
July 2023: Optus announces partnership with Starlink for satellite-to-phone services in Australia
In July 2023, Optus in Australia announced a similar partnership with SpaceX's Starlink for satellite-to-phone services.
July 2023: Mongolian Government Issues Two Licenses to SpaceX
In July 2023, the Mongolian government issued two licenses to SpaceX to provide internet access in the country.
September 1, 2023: Starshield receives first contract from U.S. Space Force
On September 1, 2023, the Starshield program received its first contract from the U.S. Space Force to provide customized satellite communications for the military under the Space Force's new "Proliferated Low Earth Orbit" program. The one-year contract is expected to support 54 mission partners across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
September 2023: Starshield contract from U.S. Space Force
In September 2023, The Starshield program received its first contract from the U.S. Space Force to provide customized satellite communications for the military.
September 2023: SES announces satellite internet service using Starlink
In September 2023, satellite operator SES announced a satellite internet service for cruise lines, utilizing both Starlink satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and SES' own O3b mPOWER satellite constellation in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). The SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink service will combine the best features of LEO and MEO orbits to provide high-speed, secure connectivity up to 3 Gbit/s per ship to cruise ships worldwide.
September 2023: Reports of Starlink Imminent 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 it would still need to apply for spectrum allocation.
September 2023: United Against Nuclear Iran Donates Starlink Subscriptions and Terminals 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: Calls for Starlink activation in Gaza
In October 2023, after the Gaza war started, users on X (formerly Twitter) demanded Elon Musk activate Starlink in Gaza. Musk initially stated Starlink connectivity would be provided for aid groups, but later said it would only be provided with the approval of the government of Israel.
October 2023: Report of radio signal leakage
In October 2023, research published in "Astronomy and Astrophysics Letters" reportedly found that Starlink satellites were "leaking radio signals" finding that at the site of the future Square Kilometer Array, radio emissions from Starlink satellites were brighter than any natural source in the sky.
November 2023: Starlink Receives Licenses to Operate in Fiji
In November 2023, Starlink received the licenses to operate in Fiji.
December 1, 2023: Collision-avoidance maneuvers
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.
December 2023: FCC Denies SpaceX's Appeal
In December 2023, the FCC formally denied SpaceX's appeal for the revoked subsidies, stating Starlink had not shown it was reasonably capable of fulfilling RDOF's requirements.
2023: Starlink introduces data cap
In 2023, Starlink introduced a monthly 1 TB data cap for all non-business users to improve service quality in densely populated areas.
2023: Starlink Used by Criminal Groups 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: Chip Shortage Resolved
The 2023 global chip shortage delays were soon resolved
January 2, 2024: Launch of first cell phone capable satellites
On January 2, 2024, the first six cell phone capable Starlink satellites were launched.
January 8, 2024: SpaceX confirms successful text messaging test using Direct-to-Cell capability
On January 8, 2024, SpaceX confirmed they had successfully tested text messaging using the new Direct-to-Cell capability on T-Mobile's network.
February 2024: Virgin Voyages to deploy SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink service
In February 2024, SES announced that Virgin Voyages would be the first cruise line to deploy the SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink service.
April 2024: Starlink to Begin Trial Service in Indonesia
In April 2024, it was reported that the company would begin trial service in Indonesia in 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, awaiting final approval from the communications minister.
May 2024: Revenue Prediction for May 2024
In May 2024 the expected revenue for the year was $6.6 billion but by December the prediction was raised to $7.7 billion.
May 2024: Starlink Service Launched 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.
June 2024: Announcement of Starlink Mini
In June 2024, a portable user terminal named "Starlink Mini" was announced to be imminently available, supporting 100 Mbit/s download speed and fitting in a backpack, with initial rollout in Latin America at a $200 price point.
July 2024: SpaceX tests Starlink with Romania
Starting in July 2024, SpaceX began conducting Starlink tests with the Romanian Ministry of National Defense and ANCOM. These tests aimed to demonstrate the safety of increasing the Equivalent Power Flux Density (EPFD) limit to improve Starlink's speed and coverage without affecting geostationary satellites. The results would be used to potentially change International Telecommunication Union rules set in the 1990s.
August 2024: Starlink Lanka Granted Telecommunications Service Provider 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 Sri Lanka.
August 2024: Starlink Receives Licenses to Operate in Yemen
In August 2024, Starlink received licenses to operate in Yemen.
September 2024: Air France Announces Deal with Starlink
In September 2024, Air France announced a deal with Starlink.
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 on Entire Fleet
In September 2024, United Airlines announced it would install Starlink services on the airline's entire fleet to offer free high-speed Wi-Fi to all passengers.
October 2024: Qatar Airways Begins Installing Starlink Terminals
In October 2024, Qatar Airways began installing Starlink terminals on its aircraft.
October 2024: Musk's Contact with Russian Officials
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.
November 2024: Morocco Set to Approve Starlink
In November 2024, it was anticipated that Morocco would grant regulatory approval to Starlink by 2025.
November 2024: Musk's Continued Support for Ukraine
In a November 2024 call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Musk said he would continue supporting Ukraine through Starlink.
December 2024: Air New Zealand Announces Deal with Starlink
In December 2024, Air New Zealand announced a deal with Starlink.
2024: Carnival Corporation & plc and MSC Cruises Add Starlink
In 2024, Carnival Corporation & plc and MSC Cruises added Starlink internet service.
2024: Expected start of SMS text service in New Zealand
In 2024, SMS text service is expected to begin in New Zealand through the partnership between One NZ and Starlink.
2024: Tensions Between Brazil and Starlink
In 2024, tensions between Brazil and Elon Musk's business ventures escalated as Anatel threatened to sanction Starlink after Brazil's top court upheld a ban on X.
2024: Starlink Used by Azawadi Separatist Group and Armed Forces of Mali
In 2024, the Azawadi separatist group, Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), and the armed forces of Mali adopted Starlink for coordinating operations, sharing intelligence, and communicating their narrative. During the Battle of Tinzaouaten in 2024, Starlink enabled the FLA to maintain secure communication and increase its visibility through social media updates.
2024: Estimated equivalent cost in 2024
In May 2018, SpaceX expected the total cost of development and buildout of the constellation to approach $10 billion (equivalent to $12,270,000,000 in 2024)
2024: Value of "Better Than Nothing Beta" Terminal Cost Updated
In October 2020, SpaceX launched a paid-for beta service in the U.S. called "Better Than Nothing Beta", charging $499 (equivalent to $594.2 in 2024) for a user terminal, with an expected service of "50 to 150 Mbit/s and latency from 20 to 40 ms over the next several months".
2024: rev4_catapult_prod1 Release
In Q4 2024, rev4_catapult_prod1 was released.
2024: First Year of Profitability
With a net profit of $72.7 million 2024 would be the first year of profitability for the service.
February 2025: U.S. negotiators pressured Ukraine on mineral access by warning of Starlink shutdown
In February 2025, U.S. negotiators pressured Ukraine to grant access to its critical minerals by warning of a potential Starlink shutdown, a service crucial to its military operations. Musk denied the claims, Reuters stood by its report.
February 2025: airBaltic Announces Deal with Starlink
In February 2025, airBaltic announced a deal with Starlink.
February 28, 2025: Meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy in the White House
Three days after the February 28, 2025, meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy in the White House the U.S. suspended all military aid and a day later also intelligence to Ukraine.
March 2025: Musk Claims License Denial Due to Race
In March 2025, Elon Musk claimed that Starlink was denied a license to operate in South Africa due to his race, referencing equity ownership provisions in the South African Electronic Communications Act, 2005, a claim disputed by government officials.
March 2025: Airtel and Jio Partner with Starlink in India
In March 2025, Indian telecom companies Airtel and Jio partnered with Starlink to introduce satellite internet in India, aiming to enhance connectivity in remote areas, pending government approvals.
March 2025: FAA Approves United Airlines 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 Sri Lankan government placed the rollout of Starlink on hold due to concerns over the absence of lawful interception provisions in the license.
March 2025: Controversies surrounding Starlink and politics
In March 2025, the director of the United States Department of Commerce's rural broadband program resigned, criticizing perceived undue emphasis on Starlink from the Trump administration. Musk's political involvement was protested by Starlink customers in the U.K. A Starlink user terminal was installed at the White House, raising conflict of interest concerns. The White House stated the terminal was a Starlink donation, approved by legal counsel and the Secret Service. Following Trump administration tariffs, the State Department pushed countries to approve American satellite companies, including Starlink, and some countries, like India, granted approval hoping to avoid tariffs.
April 2025: Houthi Rebels Demand Residents Surrender Starlink Devices in Yemen
In April 2025, Houthi rebels in Yemen demanded that residents surrender their Starlink devices.
May 2025: SAS Announces Deal with Starlink
In May 2025, SAS announced a deal with Starlink.
June 2, 2025: 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 in Sri Lanka, including the integration of oversight mechanisms, clearing the way for the launch.
June 2025: Starlink Operating Illegally in South Africa
In June 2025, it was discovered that Starlink had been operating unlawfully in South Africa since 2022. Also 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.
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 Services Available in 115 Countries
As of July 2025, Starlink broadband services are available in 115 countries, despite near-global reach below 60° latitude, due to international regulations requiring landing rights granted by each country.
July 2025: Starlink SMS texting becomes publicly available in the U.S. and New Zealand
In July 2025, SMS texting via Starlink became publicly available in the U.S. and New Zealand, to T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and One NZ customers. The service is powered by Starlink's Direct to Cell satellites. T-Mobile US and SpaceX are partnering to add satellite cellular service capability to Starlink satellites using existing 4G LTE mobile devices.
July 2025: Virgin Atlantic Announces Deal with Starlink
In July 2025, Virgin Atlantic announced a deal with Starlink.
August 12, 2025: Kyivstar conducts Eastern Europe's first Direct-to-Cell service test
On August 12, 2025, Ukrainian cell operator Kyivstar conducted Eastern Europe's first test of the Direct-to-Cell service. Mykhailo Fedorov, the CEO and digital transformation minister of Ukraine, exchanged messages with regular smartphones, with commercial start of this service planned for 2025.
August 2025: Starlink Tests Mini Laser for Third-Party Satellite Connectivity
In August 2025, Starlink tested a “mini laser” to allow connectivity for third party satellites and space stations with the Starlink constellation.
September 2025: Air Canada Announces Deal with Starlink
In September 2025, Air Canada announced a deal with Starlink.
October 2025: Starship Starlink deployment system tests
As of October 2025, SpaceX has conducted multiple tests of the Starlink deployment system on Starship. Successful tests occurred on Flight 10 and Flight 11, with 8 of 8 Starlink simulators deployed each time.
October 22, 2025: SpaceX Cuts Off Access to 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 after reports by Wired and the BBC identified Starlink as a key connectivity option for scam centers in Southeast Asia.
November 2025: FlyDubai Announces Deal with Starlink
In November 2025, FlyDubai announced a deal with Starlink.
November 2025: International Airlines Group (IAG) to Install Starlink Terminals on 500 Aircraft
In November 2025, International Airlines Group (IAG) announced it would install Starlink terminals on around 500 aircraft across its fleet, including Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Level, and Vueling.
December 2025: Hanjin Group Announces Deal to Install Starlink Terminals on All Aircraft
In December 2025, Hanjin Group announced a deal to install Starlink terminals on all aircraft of its fleet, including Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Air Busan, Air Seoul, and Jin Air.
December 2025: Starlink Reaches 9 Million Subscribers
In December 2025, SpaceX announced that Starlink had reached 9 million subscribers.
2025: Morocco Anticipated to Approve Starlink
As of November 2024, Morocco is set to give regulatory approval to Starlink by 2025.
2025: Starlink Activated and Shut Down Amidst Iranian Protests
During the 2025–2026 Iranian protests, Starlink was activated in Iran. However, by January 2025, the Iranian government reportedly shut down Starlink internet connectivity for the first time. The jamming and shut down led to varying degrees of success, with users occasionally being able to circumvent the censorship amidst the security forces also seizing satellite dishes to block any external access.
2025: Expected start of voice and data functionality in New Zealand
In 2025, voice and data functionality is expected to become available in New Zealand through the partnership between One NZ and Starlink.
2025: Revenue Prediction
In January 2017, SpaceX expected annual revenue from Starlink to reach $12 billion by 2022 and exceed $30 billion by 2025.
2025: mini1_panda_prod1 Release
In Q2 2025, mini1_panda_prod1 was released.
January 2026: Gulf Air Announces Deal with Starlink
In January 2026, Gulf Air announced a deal with Starlink.
January 2026: Lufthansa Group to Install Starlink on Around 850 Aircraft
In January 2026, Lufthansa Group announced Starlink would be installed on all around 850 aircraft of their fleet, including Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Swiss International Air Lines, Air Dolomiti, Edelweiss Air, Eurowings, and Discover Airlines.
January 2026: Plans to lower satellites to 480 km orbit
In January 2026, SpaceX announced plans to lower approximately 4,400 satellites from their current 550 km orbit to 480 km over the course of the year, citing improved space safety and reduced orbital decay time for decommissioned satellites.
January 2026: Starlink Constellation Size
As of January 2026, the Starlink constellation consisted of over 9,422 satellites in low Earth orbit, representing 65% of all active satellites.
February 2026: Starlink reports 10 million customers worldwide
As of February 2026, Starlink reported having more than 10 million customers worldwide.
February 2026: Southwest Airlines Announces Deal with Starlink
In February 2026, Southwest Airlines announced a deal with Starlink.
February 2026: Starlink Reaches 10 Million Subscribers
In February 2026, SpaceX announced that Starlink had reached 10 million subscribers.
February 2026: Starlink Receives Licenses to Operate in Vietnam
In February 2026, Starlink was granted licenses by the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology to operate fixed and mobile satellite networks in Vietnam, planning to deploy four ground gateway stations and provide satellite Internet access to up to 600,000 user terminals.
2026: Starlink Circumvention During Iranian Protests
During the 2025–2026 Iranian protests, Starlink was activated in Iran. However, by 2026, the Iranian government reportedly shut down Starlink internet connectivity for the first time. The jamming and shut down led to varying degrees of success, with users occasionally being able to circumvent the censorship amidst the security forces also seizing satellite dishes to block any external access.
2026: Iranian Authorities Disrupt Starlink Signal
In early 2026, Iranian authorities used military-grade jammers in a cyber-blockade to disrupt the Starlink signal in response to protests.
Mentioned in this timeline
Elon Musk is a businessman and entrepreneur who leads Tesla...
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence...
SpaceX founded in is a private American aerospace manufacturer and...
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe the second-largest on...
Nigeria is a West African nation the most populous in...
Qatar is a country located on the Qatar Peninsula in...
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