Musk Says Starlink Could Carry Most Internet Traffic With 100,000-Plus Future Satellites
Updated
Updated · Benzinga · May 25
Musk Says Starlink Could Carry Most Internet Traffic With 100,000-Plus Future Satellites
1 articles · Updated · Benzinga · May 25
Starlink could eventually carry the majority of global internet traffic, Elon Musk said, sketching a future where SpaceX’s satellite network becomes the backbone for broadband and direct-to-cellphone links.
1,024 gigabits per second of downlink capacity is cited for each Starlink V3 satellite, up from 96 Gbps for V2, according to filing details Musk referenced on X.
100,000-plus V3, V4 and V5 satellites could ultimately be deployed, Musk said, while SpaceX expects to begin launching V3 satellites in the second half of 2026.
60 upgraded satellites per launch could fit in Starship’s payload section, SpaceX has told investors, framing Starlink as a much larger communications infrastructure play.
That vision comes as SpaceX weighs a possible public listing at a reported $1.75 trillion to $2 trillion valuation, with investors increasingly pitching it as long-term digital infrastructure.
In the trillion-dollar space race, can Starlink outmaneuver Amazon to truly become the world's dominant internet backbone?
Could Starlink's satellite network become an uncontrollable experiment, permanently damaging Earth's atmosphere and orbital environment?
Starlink at 9,000 Satellites: The Rise, Risks, and Global Impact of SpaceX’s Orbital Internet Megaconstellation
Overview
Starlink has rapidly become a dominant force in satellite internet by building a vast low Earth orbit constellation and driving the majority of SpaceX’s revenue and profits. As of May 2026, Starlink’s network not only connects thousands of aircraft and boats but also supports critical communications in challenging environments. Its financial success has made it the main engine behind SpaceX, contributing over two-thirds of total revenue and $1.2 billion in quarterly profit. This scale and performance highlight Starlink’s essential role in SpaceX’s operations and its growing impact on global connectivity.