Elon Musk’s SpaceX unveiled new details about designs for the following-generation of satellites in its Starlink world wide web program in federal filings on Wednesday, together with that the corporation intends to use its substantial Starship rocket as the main auto to provide the spacecraft to orbit.

SpaceX filed an amendment with the Federal Communications Fee that provided descriptions of its plan, regarded as the Starlink “Gen2 Technique.”

“This Gen2 Program was made to complement the to start with-technology constellation SpaceX is currently deploying,” SpaceX wrote in the filing. “When the unique constellation delivers unparalleled potential for a satellite system, the demand for extra broadband continues to grow unabated and the need for user connectivity has by no means been a lot more essential.”

Starlink is the firm’s funds-intensive project to make an interconnected online network with countless numbers of satellites, known in the area business as a constellation, designed to deliver high-velocity web to buyers any where on the earth. SpaceX initial rolled out the support with a beta method for choose consumers for $99 a month, and in the past year has started seeking to test the network for aviation provider inflight and expand the company to big moving automobiles, like ships and trucks.

When Starlink services is even now in beta, the business recently stated that the community has about 90,000 buyers in 12 nations around the world so far, with about 50 % a million orders or refundable deposits placed by likely buyers.

SpaceX has released 1,740 Starlink satellites to day, with its very first era method commencing launches in November 2019. Gen2 is prepared to have practically 30,000 satellites in whole.

SpaceX says the Gen2 Starlink satellites are heavier and “will be somewhat more substantial and generate a lot more electric power than originally” built. That will enable the satellites to “assist expanded abilities” for SpaceX’s network, as perfectly as “accommodate further payloads in the long term” – the latter indicating Starlink satellites could be ready to host sensors or antenna for other firms.

The “preferred configuration” for Gen2 would aspect 29,988 Starlink satellites in orbit, deployed at 9 altitudes, ranging from 340 kilometers to 614 kilometers. Beforehand SpaceX experienced proposed Starlink would have 30,000 satellites throughout eight altitudes, ranging from 328 kilometers to 614 kilometers.

“SpaceX would focus on multiple inclinations to extra evenly unfold potential by latitude, making sure far better, additional steady international coverage,” the submitting claimed.

Also, SpaceX’s amended prepare would “almost double the amount of satellites deployed in a sunshine-synchronous orbit,” which would allow for the firm to give far better “support to polar areas like Alaska.”

The company also observed that “SpaceX has invested in superior propulsion abilities for its satellites,” so that the “collision risk with massive objects is considered to be zero even though the spacecraft are able of maneuvering.” When a Starlink satellite malfunctions, SpaceX disposes of the satellite by reentering into the Earth’s ambiance so that it burns up and disintegrates.

SpaceX emphasized that, if a Starlink satellite is out of management, the reduced altitude of the satellites in orbit necessarily mean the spacecraft would be in orbit for “fewer than 4 yrs” before reentering.

Area particles is a different threat equally to and from Starlink satellites that SpaceX aims to more shield from with Gen2.

“SpaceX is also mindful of the risk that its system could develop into a supply of particles in the unlikely scenario of a collision with modest debris or meteoroids that could possibly develop jetsam or trigger reduction of management of the spacecraft and reduce publish-mission disposal,” the corporation wrote. “SpaceX has continued to examine strategies to make its spacecraft even a lot more resistant to such strikes. While the structure of these protecting options is continue to currently being finalized, SpaceX has enhanced redundancy in the electricity and propulsion devices.”

The firm’s leadership has earlier touted the enhanced ability Starship would bring. Its Falcon 9 rocket can start 60 Starlink satellites at a time, but Starship would be equipped to “consider 400 satellites at a time,” SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell explained in 2019.