SpaceX launched two prototype Starlink satellites, known as Tintin A and Tintin B, as a secondary payload on the Paz mission. These early spacecraft were used to test basic communications and satellite operations in low Earth orbit before mass deployment began. The mission marked the practical starting point for Starlink’s planned broadband constellation.
SpaceX launched 60 Starlink v0.9 satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket, the first large batch for the program. These satellites were used to test “full stack” deployment elements, including satellite design and early network behavior at scale. This launch demonstrated that SpaceX could deploy Starlink in high volume using reusable rockets.
A Falcon 9 mission launched the first Starlink satellites described as “operational” (v1.0), moving the project from prototype testing to commercial-intent hardware. The satellites were released to a lower initial orbit and then raised themselves to operational altitude. This step supported broader coverage and more stable service planning.
SpaceX launched a Starlink mission that included a satellite with a sunshade feature known as “VisorSat,” intended to reduce satellite reflectivity. Astronomers had raised concerns that bright satellite trails could interfere with ground-based observations. The design change signaled that constellation operators might need engineering mitigations as deployments scaled up.
SpaceX began a public beta program for Starlink, marketed as “Better Than Nothing Beta.” Early service focused on limited regions while SpaceX continued launching satellites, building ground stations, and improving network software. This was a major transition from launches to real-world user connectivity.
In a regulatory filing, SpaceX said Starlink had more than 10,000 users in the United States and abroad. The milestone indicated early adoption despite the system still being in beta and still expanding coverage. It also showed growing policy interest in how satellite broadband should be evaluated against terrestrial broadband programs.
After a tsunami damaged Tonga’s only submarine fiber cable, SpaceX provided Starlink terminals to help restore internet connectivity for response and relief operations. This event highlighted a core Starlink use case: quickly providing communications when physical infrastructure is damaged or unavailable. It also showed how satellite broadband could function as an emergency backup to undersea cables.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rejected SpaceX’s long-form application for nearly $900 million in Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) support. The FCC cited concerns about whether Starlink could meet the program’s performance requirements. The decision became a major policy turning point for how LEO satellite broadband fits into public broadband subsidy programs.
The FCC approved SpaceX to begin deploying up to 7,500 next-generation (Gen2) Starlink satellites, while deferring action on the full request. The order added conditions aimed at addressing concerns such as orbital debris and spectrum coordination. This created a regulatory pathway for larger-capacity satellites and expanded service capability.
SpaceX launched the first batch of “V2 Mini” Starlink satellites, a more capable design sized to fly on Falcon 9. The upgraded satellites were described as providing significantly more network capacity per satellite than earlier generations. This marked the start of a major hardware transition aimed at increasing throughput without waiting for Starship to carry full-size Gen2 satellites.
SpaceX launched the first Starlink satellites designed for direct-to-cell connectivity, intended to connect with standard, unmodified mobile phones using partner spectrum. This expanded Starlink’s scope from fixed-user dishes to broader mobile coverage concepts. It was a key step toward “coverage from space” for basic phone services in areas without cell towers.
SpaceX reported that it successfully sent text messages through its new direct-to-cell Starlink satellites using T-Mobile’s network. The demonstration showed early end-to-end functionality for satellite-to-phone messaging. It also provided evidence that LEO constellations could support basic mobile services, not only broadband dish terminals.
The FCC’s Space Bureau granted SpaceX authority (with conditions) to provide “Supplemental Coverage from Space” in the United States using leased T-Mobile spectrum. This enabled regulatory permission for direct-to-device operations as part of the Starlink Gen2 system. The decision connected Starlink’s technical progress to a formal US policy framework for satellite-to-phone service.
SpaceX said it completed the first orbital “shell” (a set of satellites in coordinated orbits) for its direct-to-cell constellation. Completing a shell matters because it helps move from isolated demonstrations toward more consistent geographic coverage and service planning. The milestone reflected how Starlink’s infrastructure build-out increasingly included both broadband and direct-to-phone layers.
Starlink and One NZ launched a nationwide satellite-based text messaging service in New Zealand, described as Starlink’s first nationwide satellite texting offering. Early service focused on text messaging and limited device compatibility, reflecting a staged rollout. This event showed direct-to-cell moving from tests and approvals toward consumer service in a full national footprint.
The FCC approved SpaceX to deploy an additional 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites, bringing total Gen2 authorization to 15,000. The decision also reflected continuing regulatory balancing between expanded connectivity and concerns such as orbital crowding, interference, and space safety. By early 2026, this authorization shaped the next phase of Starlink’s physical infrastructure expansion beyond the 2018–2025 build-up.
Starlink and Low-Earth-Orbit Internet Constellations Deployment (2018–2025)