SpaceX to Briefly Test V3 Starlink Satellites on Next Starship Flight
SpaceX plans to carry 20 next-generation V3 Starlink satellites on an upcoming Starship test flight. While the flight will not reach full orbit, it serves as a critical test for the rocket's capacity and the new satellite technology designed for gigabit speeds.
Why it matters
Advancements in satellite internet capacity are essential for bridging the digital divide and competing with terrestrial fiber-optic infrastructure.
<p>SpaceX will finally deploy 20 next-generation <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/spacex-offers-new-look-at-v3-starlink-satellite-for-gigabit-speeds" target="_self">V3</a> Starlink satellites during a Starship flight slated for Thursday, July 16. Just don't expect the satellites to remain in space for long.</p><p>The V3 satellites are crucial to upgrading Starlink with <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/big-win-for-spacex-as-fcc-clears-it-to-upgrade-starlink-with-gigabit-speeds" target="_self">gigabit speeds</a>, which could put the satellite internet service on par with fiber providers. But it looks like SpaceX is still focused on testing the satellite technology and Starship's ability to carry them. That's because the next flight of the heavy-lift rocket won't reach a high enough altitude for a full orbit around the Earth. </p><p>"For the first time, Starship will carry V3 Starlink satellites to space, which aim to greatly expand the network's capacity and user speeds," SpaceX <a href="https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-13" target="_blank" title="(Opens in a new tab)">wrote</a> in a Saturday post about the launch.</p><div class="mb-0 rounded-md bg-gray-100 p-3 md:p-5" id="related-video">
The report is a straightforward technical update on aerospace testing and satellite deployment.
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