SpaceX is currently ahead of last year’s record-setting pace for Starlink satellite deployments. SpaceX launched 1,589 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit in the first half of 2026, according to launch data compiled by Jonathan McDowell’s satellite tracker, compared to 1,489 satellites deployed at the same point in 2025.
Starlink deployments on record pace
SpaceX is 100 satellites ahead of 2025’s deployment record.
SpaceX is 100 satellites ahead of 2025’s deployment record.
is a deputy editor and Verge co-founder with a passion for human-centric cities, e-bikes, and life as a digital nomad. He’s been a tech journalist for 20 years.
2025 was already a record year for SpaceX, with the company deploying 3,180 Starlink satellites in total. SpaceX has launched over 12,400 Starlink satellites since the constellation’s inception, with nearly 11,000 still functioning.
To put these numbers into perspective, Amazon’s fledgling Leo service has only deployed about 400 satellites over the last 15 months, en route to a total planned constellation of 3,232 satellites. In other words, SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9 rocket is capable of deploying one Leo-sized space internet constellation every year.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Most Popular
Most Popular
- New Zelda and GTA represent a games industry that no longer exists
- HomePod Mini 2 first look: Three things I love and one disappointment
- Flock keeps ignoring requests to cancel its contracts
- Sam Altman says it’s better for RAM to be in a data center than on your desk
- Sam Altman sympathizes with mathematicians, but says OpenAI’s math onslaught won’t stop
