Starlink projected to hit $9bn revenue in 2026 as SpaceX prepares ambitious satellite expansion

SpaceX will start launching a new generation of larger, more powerful Starlink satellites in mid-2027, using its Starship rocket to rapidly expand global internet coverage.

The company aims to deploy about 1,200 of these upgraded satellites within six months once launches begin. This would create what the company calls “global and contiguous coverage” faster than its current system allows. Mike Nicolls, Starlink’s vice president, shared the timeline Monday at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Starlink already operates the world’s largest satellite network with nearly 10,000 satellites orbiting Earth, all launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The service is expected to generate $9 billion in revenue for SpaceX in 2026, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.

Why the starship changes everything

Switching to Starship for satellite launches is essential due to its greater capacity. Falcon 9 can only carry a small number of Starlink satellites per launch. Starship, SpaceX’s much larger rocket (currently still being developed), will be able to launch 50 of the bigger satellites in a single launch.

That capacity means SpaceX can build out the upgraded constellation in months rather than years. “With Starship, we’ll be able to deploy the constellation very quickly,” Nicolls said during the Barcelona event with SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell.

Also read: Starlink resumes service for new customers in Lagos and Abuja, but at a higher cost

The larger satellites will be more capable than current Starlink hardware, though SpaceX hasn’t detailed exactly what improvements they’ll bring. After establishing the initial 1,200-satellite system, the company plans to keep scaling to reach “truly global coverage, including the polar regions,” Nicolls said.

Starship remains in development after a difficult testing year in 2025. SpaceX expects to launch its next test flight as soon as this month, debuting a new, more capable version of the rocket.

Starlink’s mobile rebranding and growth

Nicolls also announced SpaceX is rebranding its direct-to-cell service, which connects smartphones directly to satellites without ground infrastructure, as Starlink Mobile.

The service now has 650 satellites with mobile capabilities and 10 million monthly active users. SpaceX expects that number to exceed 25 million by the end of 2026.

The mobile service works differently from traditional Starlink, which requires a physical dish to receive signals. Starlink Mobile connects standard smartphones directly to satellites, providing coverage in areas with no cell towers.

The 2027 timeline for larger satellites depends entirely on Starship’s readiness. The rocket has experienced multiple setbacks, explosions, and delays during testing. SpaceX needs Starship to work reliably before it can begin deploying the upgraded Starlink constellation.

If the timeline holds, the six-month deployment window starting mid-2027 would represent one of the fastest major satellite constellation buildouts in history. But that’s a big “if” given Starship’s development challenges and the complexity of launching 1,200 satellites in half a year.

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