Starlink is SpaceX's satellite internet constellation, designed to provide global broadband coverage from low Earth orbit. It is by far the largest satellite constellation in history, accounting for over half of all active satellites in orbit.
Deployment Timeline
The first 60 Starlink satellites were launched in May 2019 on a single Falcon 9 rocket. Since then, SpaceX has maintained an aggressive launch cadence, deploying batches of 20–60 satellites multiple times per month. The constellation has grown exponentially:
| Year | Approximate Total in Orbit | Notable Milestones |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ~120 | First launch (v0.9 prototypes + v1.0) |
| 2020 | ~1,000 | Beta service begins ("Better Than Nothing Beta") |
| 2021 | ~1,900 | Global coverage expanding. Sun visor added. |
| 2022 | ~3,500 | V1.5 satellites. ~40 lost to geomagnetic storm. |
| 2023 | ~5,000 | V2 Mini satellites introduced. |
| 2024 | ~6,400+ | Direct-to-cell satellites begin launching. |
| 2025 | ~9,400+ | Record year — 165 Falcon 9 launches. V2 Mini Optimized introduced. |
| 2026 | ~9,800+ | Primary shell lowering from 550→480 km. Starship V3 sats planned. |
Constellation Design
Starlink operates across multiple orbital shells. SpaceX began lowering the primary shell from ~550 km to ~480 km during 2026 to improve space safety. The constellation spans shells at different inclinations. This design ensures global coverage, including polar regions, while keeping latency low (approximately 20–40 ms for most users).
Each satellite weighs roughly 260 kg (v1.5) to 800 kg (V2 Mini) and is equipped with krypton-fuelled ion thrusters for orbit raising and station-keeping. Satellites are designed with a 5-year operational life, after which they are actively deorbited.
Future Plans
SpaceX has regulatory approval for up to 12,000 satellites and has filed applications for up to 42,000. The full second-generation constellation (Gen2) is planned for launch on SpaceX's Starship rocket, which can carry significantly more satellites per launch than Falcon 9.
Track Starlink Live
Use Orbital Radar to filter the globe by the Starlink constellation and see every satellite in real time. You can also use the Starlink Tracker page for a focused view. To find out when Starlink satellites pass over your location, see How to See Starlink Tonight.