Summary

  • FCC DA 26-1078 authorizes the separate SpaceX D2D Constellation, call sign S00735, with up to 15,000 satellites; January’s Gen2 broadband authorization concerns another system.
  • Operations in specified U.S. bands depend on Step Two of the SpaceX–EchoStar transfer, while mandatory deployment milestones fall in 2032 and 2035.

The new authorization is not Gen2 expansion

The FCC’s October 6 decision authorizes a separately named direct-to-device system, not another 15,000 satellites for Gen2 Starlink broadband. Under DA 26-1078, the agency granted in part and deferred in part Space Exploration Holdings, LLC’s application. The SpaceX D2D Constellation, call sign S00735, may comprise up to 15,000 non-geostationary satellites across nine orbital shells at 326–335 kilometres. January’s DA 26-36 instead authorized 7,500 additional Gen2 satellites, bringing that broadband system to 15,000, including 7,500 previously approved. Further Gen2 requests were deferred. These separate ceilings establish regulatory limits, not satellites manufactured, launched, operating or serving customers.

Authorized services and conditional spectrum

The D2D grant covers U.S. Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) and Mobile Satellite Service (MSS); MSS and Direct-to-Cell outside the United States; and Fixed Satellite Service backhaul, telemetry, tracking and command. Specified U.S. operations include AWS-3, PCS G, AWS-H and 2 GHz MSS. However, SpaceX cannot commence operations in the 2 GHz MSS/AWS-4, AWS-H and AWS-3 bands until Step Two of its separate EchoStar spectrum transaction is consummated. The May 12 assignment order, DA 26-471, approved a first transfer to Spectrum Business Trust 2025-1 for SpaceX’s benefit, followed by transfer from the Trust to SpaceX. DA 26-1078 does not demonstrate that Step Two has closed. Defined launch-and-early-orbit tests are excepted under the specified consent, without interference protection and without causing interference. The terrestrial leasing waiver applies only to designated AWS-3/AWS-H SCS operations and areas. Technical, interference, emergency and coordination requirements remain. The FCC deferred the requested U.S. 2020–2025 MHz MSS uplink and specified overseas operations at 20.2–21.2 GHz and 30.0–31.0 GHz.

The regulatory timetable

By October 7, 2032, 50% of the maximum authorized stations must be launched, placed in assigned orbits and operating. The remainder must meet those requirements by October 7, 2035. The 15-year authorization term begins at 3 a.m. Eastern Time on the date the first D2D satellite reaches its authorized orbit. SpaceX must notify the FCC within five days and certify operational conformity. Semi-annual reports due January 1 and July 1 cover conjunctions, maneuvers and coordination, deployment exclusions and atmospheric re-entries. Light Reading separately reported the deployment deadlines. The order establishes no commercial launch date or customer availability, handset compatibility, pricing, revenue, construction cost or service performance.