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FCC Approves 7,500 More Starlink Satellites, SpaceX Wins $739M Launch Contract | KeepTrack X Report
FCC approves 7,500 additional Starlink Gen2 satellites. Space Force awards SpaceX $739M for nine national security launches. NASA plans Crew-11 medical evacuation from ISS on January 14.
🚀 Latest Developments
The FCC has approved 7,500 additional Starlink Gen2 satellites, greatly expanding SpaceX’s next-generation capabilities. Simultaneously, the Space Force has awarded SpaceX a significant $739 million in launch contracts for national security missions. In a historic move, NASA will also execute a medical evacuation of SpaceX’s Crew-11 astronauts from the ISS on January 14.
📰 Detailed Coverage
FCC Approves 7,500 Additional Starlink Satellites
The Federal Communications Commission has granted SpaceX permission to deploy a further 7,500 satellites as part of its Starlink Gen2 constellation. This decision underscores the growing demand for high-speed global internet and positions SpaceX to enhance its operational capabilities in rural and underserved regions.
With this expansion, SpaceX is strategically increasing its capacity to provide improved services and could potentially attract more users, impacting the satellite communications market significantly.
Read the full story: SpaceNews
Space Force Awards $739 Million in Launch Orders to SpaceX
In a major win for SpaceX, the U.S. Space Force has awarded $739 million for nine national security missions under the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 program. This order secures SpaceX’s position as a dominant player in the national security launch sector, which has seen increasing competition from emerging commercial entities.
The awarded missions will further solidify SpaceX’s ongoing partnership with the U.S. government and increase its launch cadence, enhancing reliability and capability for national defense applications.
Read the full story: SpaceNews
NASA to Evacuate SpaceX Crew-11 Astronauts from ISS
In a historic first, NASA plans a medical evacuation for Crew-11 astronauts from the International Space Station, with the mission scheduled for January 14. The move comes after a medical concern involving one of the astronauts necessitated their prompt return.
This evacuation highlights the increasingly critical role of private space companies like SpaceX in supporting human spaceflight and ensuring astronaut safety aboard the ISS.
Read the full story: Space.com
SpaceX Launches 29 Starlink Satellites
On January 9, SpaceX successfully launched 29 Starlink satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, marking its third mission of 2026. This satellite deployment is part of SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to improve global internet coverage and extend its broadband services.
The continuous launches demonstrate SpaceX’s robust operational capacity and commitment to expanding its constellation, further entrenching its position in the competitive satellite internet market.
Read the full story: Space.com
📊 Starlink Status
- Total Launched: 10897
- Total On Orbit: 9451
- Total Working: 9440
Track Starlink satellites in real-time on our web app: Track Starlink
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