SpaceX makes the largest purchase in its history to boost Starlink in 2025
The recent maneuver by SpaceX marks a significant milestone in its trajectory, not only in the realm of rockets and spacecraft but also in its goal of expanding Starlink coverage to every corner of the planet. This strategic move could change the landscape of global internet access and position Elon Musk's company in a competitively advantageous position.
The Largest Purchase in SpaceX's History
On September 8, 2025, SpaceX announced to the world an agreement that has reverberated through the satellite industry: the acquisition of EchoStar's S-band spectrum in the United States as well as its global licenses for mobile satellite services. Valued at $17 billion, this purchase is not aimed at immediate financial returns but at establishing market dominance.
This move not only provides SpaceX with the necessary spectrum for its Direct to Cell service but also eliminates EchoStar, its closest competitor. The company led by Charlie Ergen had been accumulating this invaluable spectrum for decades without executing its own network. Now, that spectrum becomes a catalyst for Elon Musk's ambitious plans.
Advances in the Starlink Constellation
Currently, the Starlink Direct to Cell satellite constellation has over 600 satellites in orbit, offering 4G coverage. SpaceX's strategy is to use the recently acquired frequencies to advance to a new stage. The next generation of Direct to Cell satellites promises to increase network capacity by 100 times, thanks to the use of the new spectrum and 5G protocols. This implies the elimination of dead zones, ensuring that coverage is available whenever there is a line of sight to the sky, whether through terrestrial operators or Starlink.
Purchase Strategy and Competition
According to an analysis by TMF Associates, the spectrum acquisition is designed to put pressure on competitors like AST SpaceMobile and the collaboration between Apple and Globalstar, forcing these players to either partner with SpaceX or fall behind. Elon Musk, in a typical provocative response, dismissed the analysis by stating that "almost everything in this article is wrong." This generates uncertainties regarding the specific strategy, but its impact is already being felt.
Starship: The Key Launch Vehicle
A crucial aspect of the success of SpaceX's initiative is the ability to launch a large number of satellites. This is where Starship comes in, the largest rocket in the world. After a series of failed test flights, Starship's tenth launch successfully deployed a payload. On August 26, 2023, Starship not only reached space but also completed a vital mission for the future of Starlink: it released eight Starlink satellite simulators, demonstrating its viability for short-term self-financing.
This advancement is significant, as Starship will play a key role in launching the next-generation Starlink V3 satellites. Starship's payload capacity far exceeds that of the Falcon 9: while a Falcon 9 can put about 22 mini V2 satellites into orbit, Starship is expected to deploy considerably higher numbers.
Improvement in Satellite Technology
In addition to enabling the launch of more satellites, Starship will also facilitate the creation of larger and more sophisticated satellites. SpaceX has revealed that a single Starship launch with V3-series satellites could add 60 Tbps of capacity to the network, more than 20 times what a Falcon 9 can currently achieve.
The future Starlink V3 satellites feature a notable technological evolution, including next-generation Hall-effect argon thrusters that will improve their maneuverability and efficiency in orbital maneuvers, surpassing the specifications of current thrusters.
The Constellation Set to Dominate Space
SpaceX's strategy is built on a robust foundation that seems unattainable for the competition. With over 8,300 satellites in orbit, the Starlink broadband network surpasses all other constellations combined. Currently, its total broadband internet capacity stands at 450 Tbps. Although the third-generation satellites are not expected until 2026, SpaceX continues to make progress. Recently, the company introduced a new 25 Gbps "mini-laser" that will allow other satellites or space stations to connect directly to the Starlink network, functioning as an orbital internet provider.
With the acquisition of the necessary spectrum, a heavy-duty launch vehicle already in operation, and accelerated technological development in its satellites, Starlink is on track to achieve its goal of eliminating dead coverage zones on Earth. This advancement promises to transform internet access, making the world a much more interconnected place.
To stay updated on these exciting developments in the world of SpaceX and Starlink, we invite readers to continue exploring more content on this blog.
