Starlink V3 satellites
Next Starlink satellite generation, designed for about one terabit per second of downlink per satellite; deployment on Starship is planned from the second half of 2026.
What it is
The next Starlink satellite generation is designed to offer one terabit per second of downlink capacity per satellite. SpaceX plans to deploy it on Starship, where a single launch could carry up to 60 V3 satellites, so V3 depends on Starship reaching reliable operations.↗ source
Why it matters to the stock. V3 satellites increase the capacity per launch and the data speeds Starlink can sell. Delays here push back capacity growth for Connectivity, the segment that funds the rest of the company.
News
Starship reaches orbit for the first time and deploys 26 Starlink satellites
SpaceX's Starship completed its 14th test flight from Starbase, Texas, on September 28, 2026, its first flight to reach orbit.
Starship Flight 13 deploys 20 Starlink V3 satellites and ship soft-splashes in Indian Ocean
Starship Flight 13 launched from Starbase, Texas, on July 24, 2026, the second flight of the V3 vehicle after Flight 12 in May.
Starship Flight 12 flies the first V3 vehicle; ship splashes down in Indian Ocean as planned
Starship Flight 12 flew the upgraded V3 version of the vehicle from Starbase, Texas, on May 22, 2026.