The FCC has approved SpaceX’s expansion of its Starlink constellation to up to 15,000 satellites in low Earth orbit, shortly after the company launched 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites from Cape Canaveral.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the authorization will enhance broadband services, competition, and connectivity for underserved communities.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster B1069 successfully landed on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas, marking its 138th landing on that vessel and the company’s 556th overall, Spaceflight Now has reported.

The approval allows SpaceX to make design changes and deploy new orbital shells between 340 km and 485 km, while lowering about 4,400 existing satellites from 550 km to roughly 480 km to improve space safety.

This orbital adjustment will reduce satellite decay time and debris risks, significantly lowering the likelihood of collisions in the Starlink constellation.