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 now
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 today's 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