Starlink

Starlink (project by SpaceX, started 2015) is a megaconstellation of internet satellites designed to deliver broadband internet to users anywhere on Earth. As of mid-2025, SpaceX has launched over 4,000 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit and has begun offering commercial service in dozens of countries. Users on the ground employ a dedicated Starlink dish antenna to connect to the satellite network, obtaining high-speed internet in areas that previously had little or no connectivity. The system is continually expanding, with SpaceX launching batches of 50–60 satellites frequently using Falcon 9 rockets, and development of second-generation Starlink satellites (some launched on Starship) to increase network capacity. Starlink’s rollout has disrupted the telecom industry by demonstrating that space-based internet can be fast and relatively affordable, although it has raised concerns about orbital debris and astronomy interference due to the unprecedented number of satellites.