All articles tagged with #starlink
Iran's judiciary chief says detainees tied to nationwide protests will face fast trials and executions, as the death toll rises into the thousands and tens of thousands are detained; Trump warns of strong action amid Tehran's claims of external meddling. A mass funeral for security forces highlighted the crackdown, and Starlink is offering free satellite internet to help Iranians bypass the internet shutdown.
Starlink has reportedly waived monthly fees for users in Iran after the government cut the internet during protests, making the satellite service a crucial but illegal lifeline for many. SpaceX hasn’t confirmed the waiver; authorities are seizing Starlink kits and seeking to jam signals, while users risk prison time and discovery as they share footage from beyond the blackout. Estimates suggest tens of thousands may be using Starlink despite the dangers.
SpaceX set a new pad turnaround record at Cape Canaveral's SLC-40 by launching Starlink 6-98 just 45 hours after Starlink 6-97, lifting off at 1:08 p.m. EST with a 29-satellite Starlink deployment. Booster B1085 landed on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas, marking SpaceX’s 139th landing on that vessel and 559th booster landing overall. It was SpaceX’s fourth Starlink launch and sixth Falcon 9 flight of 2026, surpassing the previous 50-hour 44-minute record set between NROL-77 and Starlink 6-90.
An Iranian online activist told Euronews that amid ongoing protests the regime is using RF detectors to locate Starlink satellite devices and suppress information, with Iran reportedly experiencing a prolonged internet blackout (over 112 hours). He alleges at least 15,000 people have died, including cases of severe eye injuries, as security forces engage in aggressive repression and residents rely on Starlink for connectivity.
Starlink users in Iran were able to access the satellite internet for free on Jan. 13 after SpaceX waived fees, according to nonprofit groups; the move came during a near-total communications blackout amid mass protests, with authorities seeking to jam signals and enforce penalties on Starlink usage, while activists note the service's key role in conflict zones and information access.
Starlink is providing free internet access in Iran, waiving subscription fees for previously inactive accounts as authorities crack down on protests; experts say the service could help Iranians share information, but access is limited and Iran can jam signals. There are an estimated 50,000 Starlink receivers in the country.
SpaceX is waiving the Starlink subscription fee in Iran, letting receivers there access satellite internet for free as a nationwide internet blackout persists for several days and Starlink gear has been smuggled into the country despite a ban; Iranian authorities are reportedly attempting to jam the signal and crackdown on users.
The US State Department tells Americans in Iran to depart immediately and, if safe, exit by land to neighboring countries, citing safety risks amid ongoing protests and internet outages; the US virtual embassy warns people to use alternative communication methods and to plan a departure independent of U.S. government assistance. The coverage notes Trump’s comments about potential action, SpaceX offering Starlink internet in Iran, and broad international reactions to the crackdown and toll of the protests.
US President Donald Trump told Iranian protesters to continue and said 'help is on its way,' a move that hints at possible direct intervention but offers few specifics. He also cancelled meetings with Iranian officials as US options—air strikes, cyberattacks, or targeting security forces—are considered but not decided. In Iran, crackdown has killed hundreds, with figures around 2,000 cited by rights groups; an internet blackout complicates verification. Related developments include SpaceX's Starlink internet efforts in Iran, ambassadors summoned in Europe, and a World Bank forecast that sanctions and economic strains will worsen Iran's economy.
China has filed ITU proposals to deploy up to 200,000 internet satellites—including two ambitious 96,714-satellite megaconstellations (CTC-1 and CTC-2)—as part of a broader push to build Chinese space networks and compete with SpaceX’s Starlink, amid concerns about orbital congestion and regulatory timelines.
Iran has shut down its internet and communication lines amid nationwide protests, severely limiting information flow and complicating efforts to document and respond to the unrest, with reliance on illegal Starlink devices playing a crucial role in sharing news outside the country.
The FCC has approved SpaceX to expand its Starlink satellite constellation to 15,000 satellites, following a recent launch of Starlink V2 Mini satellites from Cape Canaveral, which brings the total in orbit to over 9,400. This expansion aims to enhance satellite broadband capabilities and improve space safety by adjusting satellite orbits.
Starlink is offering free internet in Venezuela following U.S. airstrikes and Maduro's arrest, aiming to provide connectivity amid ongoing conflict and outages, with the service still in the process of formal launch in the country.
SpaceX plans to lower around 4,400 Starlink satellites from 550 km to 480 km altitude in 2026 to enhance space safety, reduce collision risks, and address recent debris incidents, amid a significant increase in space object traffic and collision mitigation efforts.
SpaceX plans to lower the orbits of approximately 4,400 Starlink satellites from 550 km to 480 km in 2026 to enhance safety and reduce collision risks, especially as solar activity decreases and atmospheric drag lessens, impacting satellite decay times and space debris management.