Elon Musk-led SpaceX (NASDAQ:SPCX) has asked U.S. regulators for permission to launch and operate up to 100,000 satellites for a new third-generation Starlink system, a massive proposed expansion aimed at supporting faster broadband and growing artificial intelligence data needs.
SpaceX Seeks Approval For Massive Gen3 Network The application to the Federal Communications Commission, which was filed on Monday, July 6, covers a "Gen3" version of Starlink that would operate in very low Earth orbit, below many current broadband satellites.
The proposed satellites would fly in two stacked altitude bands, roughly 323 to 327.5 kilometers and 473 to 477.5 kilometers above Earth.
SpaceX says the system would deliver extremely low-latency and multi-gigabit internet service for consumers, businesses, governments and billions of AI-powered devices.
The company has argued that AI systems will require far more data capacity, especially for uploading information, making new spectrum and satellite-sharing frameworks necessary.
