Satellite Internet (Starlink)
Thousands of satellites in low orbit deliver broadband anywhere on Earth; the first smartphones talk directly to satellites.
Open in the interactive tree →Starlink launched its first production satellites in 2019; reusable rockets make thousands of satellites affordable. Low orbits (about 550 km) keep latency at roughly 25-50 ms, unlike geostationary satellites (over 500 ms). “Direct-to-Cell” lets ordinary phones send text messages via satellite without extra equipment.
As of October 2026
On 7 October 2026 the KeepTrack tracker listed 11,156 Starlink satellites in orbit, and SpaceX reported 10.3 million subscribers at 31 March 2026. Direct-to-cell texting was first tested on T-Mobile’s network in January 2024, and in September 2025 SpaceX agreed a $17 billion cash-and-stock deal to buy rights to some of EchoStar’s wireless spectrum. According to SpaceX's filing as reported by the WSJ, the Starlink segment had revenue above $11 billion in 2025 (company figure).
Open steps
- Collision avoidance without shared data Medium AI leverageMega-constellations make thousands of avoidance moves; operators need reliable shared orbit data and autonomous screening to keep crowded orbits safe.
- Broadband speeds straight to phones Medium AI leverageSatellites reach ordinary phones with text today; video-grade data needs bigger antennas, more spectrum and interference control with ground networks.
- Routing across laser links Medium AI leverageFast-moving satellites relink laser connections constantly; routing and capacity planning must keep delay low and avoid congestion across the mesh.
Where AI could help
Low AI leverage. Launch cadence, manufacturing, spectrum and ground stations drive growth; AI helps beam scheduling, interference and debris avoidance at the margin.
- Schedule beams and manage interference for millions of users
- Predict conjunctions and plan collision-avoidance maneuvers
- Automate production tests and anomaly detection on satellites