SpaceX has unveiled its new V3 Starlink satellites, marking a major upgrade in both size and performance. Each V3 satellite is capable of handling gigabit-speed internet and boosts the network’s total downlink capacity to about 60 terabits per second. This means a single Starship launch carrying 60 V3 satellites will offer 20 times more capacity than older Falcon 9 launches with V2 Mini models.
The V3 satellites are much larger, weighing around 2,000 kg (4,400 lbs), compared to 600 kg for V2 Mini and 300 kg for the original V1. With more space for powerful communication hardware, each satellite can provide up to 1,000 Gbps of download and 200 Gbps of upload bandwidth—more than ten times the capacity of the V2 series.
SpaceX plans to launch the first operational batch of V3 satellites early next year, using the Starship rocket, which can handle larger payloads. However, current Starlink dishes may not fully support the V3 network, meaning upgraded terminals are likely. The larger size of the satellites also raises concerns about re-entry and debris management, but SpaceX assures that they are designed to burn up upon re-entry.
