SpaceX Wants to Start Launching Its Next Generation Starlink Satellites Before the End of the Year

SpaceX is attempting to squeeze within the debut of its second technology Starlink satellites by the tip of the month, hoping the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will grant it short-term authority to loft its heftier broadband satellites.

The aerospace firm filed a request with the FCC this week, asking for a 60-day particular short-term authority to attach Starlink terminals already in use to the brand new satellites it plans to launch quickly, SpaceNews first reported.

According to the regulatory submitting, SpaceX needs to start launching the Gen2s “before the end of December 2022.” If the FCC grants SpaceX the short-term authorization, the corporate would be capable of begin launching its Gen2 Starlink satellites earlier than the fee points its longterm approval.

SpaceX not too long ago launched a batch of 54 Starlink satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket, placing the variety of whole satellites it has launched to date at 3,600, of which 3,284 are at present operational, based on stats collected by astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell. But CEO Elon Musk is keen to see the following technology satellites attain orbit, a transfer that the corporate hopes will assist it meet rising demand for its web companies.

Earlier this month, the FCC accepted SpaceX’s request to launch 7,500 Gen2s to low Earth orbit. The firm had requested the launch of 29,988 Starlink satellites, however the FCC solely granted approval to 1 / 4 of the overall. The purpose why the fee is holding again on these remaining 22,488 satellites is to “protect other satellite and terrestrial operators from harmful interference and maintain a safe space environment, promoting competition and protecting spectrum and orbital resources for future use,” the FCC mentioned in its order.

The Gen2s are designed to be simpler, measuring 22 ft lengthy (7 meters) and weighing roughly 2,755 kilos (1,250 kg), whereas its predecessors weigh about 573 kilos (260 kilograms). As a results of the bigger, heavier payload, SpaceX was relying on its upcoming Starship rocket to launch the Gen2s versus its Falcon 9 rocket, which is at present lofting the primary technology Starlinks to orbit.

But with the date of Starship’s inaugural flight at present unknown, SpaceX is trying to prioritize the launch of its Gen2s even when they need to be modified to suit right into a Falcon 9. In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on August 19, the corporate mentioned it should downsize its next-generation web satellites to make them match into the Falcon 9 rocket.

The firm is seemingly doing all that it might to see these Gen2s fly, however there aren’t too many days left within the 12 months. As it stands, SpaceX is poised to launch an Israeli Earth-imaging satellite tv for pc on December 29, however as Next Spaceflight points out, the Falcon 9 flight with the Gen2s on board might elevate off on December 28—pending FCC approval, after all.

More on this story: SpaceX Pulls off 3 Orbital Launches in 34 Hours, Smashing Its Record

SpaceX is already crowding low Earth orbit with its Starlink satellites, and the following technology satellites have astronomers much more frightened about how the Starlink constellation would possibly intrude with observations of the evening sky. By the time they do launch, hopefully SpaceX would have discovered methods to mitigate the brightness of its satellite tv for pc constellation in order that it doesn’t block our views of the cosmos.

More: Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellites Are Already Causing a Headache for Astronomers