Infrastructure / Satellite Communications Market: FCC Approves Starlink Satellite-to-Satellite Radio Testing

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has granted SpaceX an experimental radio station construction permit and license authorizing tests of direct radio communications between Starlink satellites. The authorization, effective immediately and running through early 2028, covers specific Ku-band frequencies and applies to SpaceX’s non-geostationary spacecraft. The tests will let engineers evaluate in-orbit data exchange between satellites rather than relying solely on ground stations, with potential outcomes including reduced dependence on terrestrial infrastructure, lower latency by avoiding additional ground hops, improved resilience during emergencies, and expanded reliable coverage for oceanic, polar, and remote regions. SpaceX will test radio-frequency inter-satellite links alongside any existing optical methods to gather performance data on bandwidth, reliability, interference management, and fleet coordination under FCC oversight.