![SpaceX sends 24 additional Starlink satellites soaring into orbit, captured on video [VIDEO]](/en/content/images/size/w1280/format/webp/20250724153141_spacex-starlink-launch-falcon.jpeg)
SpaceX Deploys 24 More Starlink Satellites into Earth's Orbit, Captured on Camera [VIDEO]
In a significant stride towards terabit-scale satellite internet capacity, SpaceX is gearing up to launch its third-generation Starlink satellites starting in the first half of 2026. These satellites, designed to deliver over a terabit per second of downlink capacity and over 200 Gbps of uplink capacity, mark a considerable 10x bandwidth improvement over the current generation [1][2][4].
The new satellites are optimized for launch aboard SpaceX’s Starship rocket, enabling deployment of the larger satellite design that provides enhanced speed and latency benefits. Key planned features of the third-generation Starlink satellites include a vast capacity increase, improved latency, integration with Starship launches, and smaller upgrades ongoing before the third-gen launch [3].
SpaceX has been consistently launching Starlink satellites with Falcon 9 rockets throughout 2024 and 2025, with over 1,500 Starlink satellites already launched in 2025 alone. The company aims to boost capacity in key underserved regions like Alaska by adding more satellites in polar orbits, nearly doubling peak download speeds there [2][3].
Testing and flight qualification of Starship, responsible for launching these third-gen satellites, has faced several setbacks with rocket failures. However, SpaceX remains optimistic about overcoming these challenges within the next year [1][4]. Regulatory approval from the FCC has enabled SpaceX to deploy up to 7,500 low Earth orbit satellites at altitudes as low as 211 miles, supporting the improved performance goals of the new generation [4].
The launch of 24 more Starlink satellites on July 18, 2025, from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, marked SpaceX's 88th Falcon 9 mission of 2025 and 516th overall. The reusable first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket landed smoothly aboard the autonomous droneship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean.
Starlink's global coverage and service capabilities continue to grow, with the active Starlink satellite count now exceeding 7,965. The service delivers high-speed broadband internet across the globe, especially to underserved and remote areas. Starlink has surpassed 2 million active subscribers in the U.S., and recently begun rolling out direct-to-cell service with select partner carriers.
For those interested, a replay of the Falcon 9 launch of 24 Starlink satellites is available to watch online. SpaceX's tweet about the launch can be found at
It is worth noting that the launch occurred just two days after SpaceX launched the KF-01 mission for Amazon's Starlink competitor, Project Kuiper, from Florida. However, this fact was not mentioned in the current paragraph. Additionally, Starlink has recently surpassed 500,000 active subscribers in Canada, but this fact was also not mentioned in the current paragraph. The Falcon 9 rocket used for the launch was on its 14th flight.
[1] https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-space-internet-terabit-speed-satellite.html [2] https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/08/spacex-plans-to-double-starlink-peak-speeds-in-alaska-with-new-satellites/ [3] https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-satellite-phone-service-launch.html [4] https://www.pcmag.com/news/spacexs-starlink-satellite-internet-service-gets-fcc-approval-for-higher-speeds-and-more-satellites
The third-generation Starlink satellites, slated for launch in 2026, are designed to deliver over a terabit per second of downlink capacity and over 200 Gbps of uplink capacity, marking a significant leap in bandwidth compared to the current generation [4]. These satellites will be optimized for launch aboard SpaceX’s Starship rocket, integrating with this technology for deployment of the larger satellite design, enabling enhanced speed and latency benefits [3].
