Starting in 2026, SpaceX will usher in a new era of satellite communication by launching its third-generation Starlink satellites. Each satellite will provide download speeds exceeding 1 Tbps and upload speeds of 200 Gbps.

The new technology will be based on enhanced computers, modems, and beamforming systems, operating at lower orbits to reduce latency. A single launch of third-generation satellites aboard the Starship will add up to 60 Tbps of bandwidth — 20 times more than current Falcon 9 missions.

Currently, the total bandwidth capacity of all active Starlink satellites is about 450 Tbps. Over the past year, Starlink has deployed more than 2300 satellites, expanded coverage to 42 new countries and territories, and increased its user base to over 6 million.

In the USA, the average download speed during peak hours reaches 200 Mbps, with latency at 25.7 ms. Less than 1% of measurements exceed 55 ms. Starlink boasts the largest terrestrial satellite communication infrastructure in the world, with over 1500 antennas deployed across more than 100 locations in the USA alone.

The network continues to demonstrate high resilience: the service remained available during widespread power outages in Spain and Portugal, and supported rescue operations following floods and wildfires in the USA and Canada. Some satellites are equipped with laser communication channels for direct data transfer between devices without ground infrastructure involvement.

By the end of 2025, Starlink plans to deploy over 400 additional satellites to polar orbits to enhance coverage in Alaska and other high-latitude regions.