SpaceX’s Starlink Submits Fresh Application for Indian Gen 2 Satellite Constellation
On 20‑08‑2026, Economic Times reported that Starlink, the satellite broadband arm of SpaceX, filed a new application with the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN‑SPAC) to obtain regulatory approval for its second‑generation (Gen 2) satellite constellation. The request seeks permission for a network operating in low Earth orbit at altitudes ranging from 340 to 615 kilometres and featuring direct‑to‑device connectivity capabilities.
The Gen 2 system is designed to deliver broadband services directly to user terminals without the need for ground‑based infrastructure, expanding the scope of satellite‑based telecommunications in India. The earlier Starlink application for the same Gen 2 constellation had been rejected by IN‑SPAC on grounds that certain technical features and the spectrum bands proposed did not conform to Indian regulatory requirements.
SpaceX, which disclosed in early August that it intends to deepen its involvement in the telecom sector through Starlink, highlighted that satellite telecommunications currently constitutes its largest revenue‑generating business segment. The renewed filing underscores the company’s commitment to securing a foothold in the Indian market, which is pivotal for its global expansion strategy.
The article, authored by Editor Ambar Warrick and generated with AI assistance before editorial review, also noted a market reaction where SpaceX’s listed ticker SPCX showed a 2.57 % increase following the news. © Reuters.