Starlink Will Launch Third-Generation Satellites in 2026

Elon Musk’s company SpaceX has announced plans to launch third-generation Starlink satellites in 2026. These next-gen satellites will offer over 10 times the downlink capacity and 24 times the uplink capacity compared to the current second-generation satellites.

The launch is scheduled for the first half of 2026. Each third-generation satellite will deliver more than 1 terabit per second (>1,000 Gbps) of downlink capacity and over 200 Gbps of uplink capacity to users on the ground. Every Starlink launch with these satellites will add 60 Tbps of capacity to the network — more than 20 times what current launches provide.

The third-generation satellites will also feature advanced computers, modems, beamforming and switching systems developed by SpaceX. They will operate in lower orbits, which will further reduce network latency.

“The Starlink system is designed to scale rapidly and improve continuously. From satellite development and manufacturing to launch and ground infrastructure, Starlink is uniquely positioned to keep pace with rising demand around the world, support the rollout of 5G and advanced services, and remain resilient in the face of natural disasters and infrastructure failures,” the company stated.

Currently, Starlink adds over 5 Tbps (5,000 Gbps) of network capacity each week via second-generation satellites. According to SpaceX, these satellites offer four times the capacity of the original Starlink models.

Over the past year, SpaceX has launched more than 2,300 Starlink satellites, adding nearly 450 Tbps of total capacity. In total, the company now has over 7,800 satellites in orbit. As a result, Starlink users always have multiple satellites in view, as well as connections to ground stations and internet Points of Presence (PoPs) — ensuring seamless service even in areas without traditional broadband access.

In the last 12 months, Starlink has expanded to 42 new countries, regions, and markets, while the number of active users grew by over 2.7 million. The service now boasts 6 million active users globally.

For context, in May 2025 alone, Starlink launched 398 satellites into orbit. No other company matches this pace — Starlink satellites now represent 40% of all satellites launched over the past 7 years. For comparison, humans have been launching satellites since 1957.