SpaceX has introduced the new residential Starlink V5 antenna, designed to offer satellite internet users significant improvements in terms of size, weight, and energy consumption.
This new generation features a notable reduction in dimensions compared to the V4 model. Specifically, the Starlink V5 measures 384 mm x 306 mm x 34 mm, while the previous version measured 594 mm x 383 mm x 39.7 mm.
Furthermore, there has been a considerable reduction in the equipment's weight, dropping from 2.9 kg on the V4 to just 1.1 kg on the V5. Another relevant aspect is energy consumption, which has been drastically reduced, falling from an average of 75 to 100 watts on the old version to a range of 35 to 50 watts on the new device.
Although the reduction in consumption and size was achieved, it came with a slight decrease in the advertised maximum speed. The V5 now offers over 375 Mbps download, whereas the V4 could exceed 400 Mbps.
Starlink emphasizes that these figures do not constitute a guarantee of final performance, as the actual speed is influenced by the contracted plan, the time of use, network capacity, and congestion in the coverage area. Despite this change, the main benefits highlighted for the new version are energy savings and its more compact form factor.
It is important to note that the V5 residential antenna was not developed for use while traveling. Those who require connectivity while on the go will need to wait for the updated Starlink Mini version, which SpaceX presented alongside the launch of the V5.
Currently, the availability of the V5 is restricted to certain locations. SpaceX has communicated its intention to expand the offering as the equipment production increases.
SpaceX is focusing on another test of the Starship, the company's largest rocket. This flight, number 13, is scheduled for July 16 and will feature the unprecedented transport of Starlink V3 satellites in an experimental mission.
According to the company, the launch is scheduled to take place at 6:45 PM in U.S. territory (corresponding to 7:45 PM in official Brazil time). The main purpose of this operation is to evaluate the vehicle's latest systems.
The departure will occur from the Starbase facility, located in Texas, near Boca Chica beach. This will be the second flight of the new V3 version of Starship. In addition to testing the rocket itself, the mission will serve as a demonstration for new components of the Starlink network.
The 20 Starlink V3 satellites to be carried by the spacecraft will not reach orbit. Instead, they will follow a suborbital trajectory and will be destroyed during the atmospheric reentry process, allowing SpaceX to analyze various phases of the flight.
SpaceX has a 90-minute window to conduct the launch. The official broadcast of the event will begin 30 minutes before the launch, made available through SpaceX channels on the X network and the official flight page.
The flight is expected to last a little over an hour and does not aim to take Starship into Earth orbit. The main focus will be monitoring the system's operation during crucial stages, such as module separation, engine activation, and vehicle return.
Key expected moments include: the launch and initial ascent of the rocket; the separation between the Super Heavy booster and the Starship vehicle; tests of the Raptor engines; the release of the 20 Starlink V3 satellites; and reentry followed by controlled splashdown in the ocean.
A point of great observation will be the performance of the Super Heavy booster. In the previous flight, this stage failed to return adequately for a controlled landing, resulting in its fall into the ocean. SpaceX reported that hardware and software adjustments have been implemented to resolve the issues detected in that mission.
The introduction of the new satellites represents one of the biggest innovations of this flight. The Starlink V3 models are larger and are part of the company's efforts to expand the capacity of the satellite internet network.
In a detailed description of the flight, SpaceX stated that 'for the first time, Starship will carry Starlink V3 satellites into space, which aim to significantly increase the network capacity and speeds for users.' Six of these satellites will be equipped with cameras to capture images of the heat shield and Starship during the mission.
The satellites will also attempt to establish communication with the Starlink constellation using high-capacity lasers before returning to the atmosphere. If the launch needs to be postponed due to weather conditions or technical problems, SpaceX already has a new planned date of July 17, maintaining the same time.
SpaceX launched 29 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit on Tuesday, the 14th, at 6:10 AM Brasília time. The Falcon 9 rocket departed from Launch Complex 40, located at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, United States.
This event marked the 28th mission for the first stage of the rocket used in the launch. This booster had already been used in several missions, including Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, SES Astra 1P, and NG-21, as well as 22 other flights destined for the Starlink constellation.
After stage separation, the first stage returned to the surface and successfully landed on the autonomous maritime platform named A Shortfall of Gravitas, located in the Atlantic Ocean.
Currently, SpaceX maintains over 10,000 operational Starlink satellites in orbit and has permission to deploy approximately another 4,000. Since the beginning of the project, more than 12,000 satellites have been sent into space, although some have ceased operation.
The fleet growth continues at an accelerated pace. In the first half of 2026 alone, the company managed to place 1,589 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit, a number higher than the 1,489 launched in the same period of 2025. In the previous year, the company reached its annual record by launching 3,180 satellites.
The Starship vehicle has already received authorization for new flights. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted SpaceX permission to conduct another test following the investigation into the failure that occurred in the Super Heavy booster during the flight in May.
According to SpaceX, this next mission will be the second launch of the V3 version of the rocket and will also feature the first Starlink V3 satellites, which will play a crucial role in expanding the company's space internet network. This launch is scheduled for next Thursday, the 16th, between 7:45 PM and 9:15 PM Brasília time.
A new advance in the competition for satellite internet services occurred early Thursday morning with the launch of 29 satellites belonging to the Amazon Leo project. These satellites were placed into low orbit using an Atlas V rocket, bringing Amazon's operation closer to offering an initial service.
The launch, conducted in Florida, demonstrates Amazon's accelerated pace in this market, which is currently dominated by Starlink, according to Space.com. The 29 new satellites were deployed into low Earth orbit and their confirmation was received about 70 minutes after liftoff, according to ULA. The vehicle used was the Atlas V in the 551 configuration, considered the most powerful in its line.
This version of the rocket carried a payload of approximately 18 tons, setting a previous record for the mission itself. With this shipment, Amazon Leo now has about 400 satellites positioned in space, resulting from 15 launches so far.
The goal of Amazon Leo is to establish a global network composed of approximately 3,200 satellites in low Earth orbit, aiming to compete directly with Starlink, which already operates over 10,000 satellites worldwide. According to The Verge, Amazon already has enough satellites to start a limited service in certain regions, with initial coverage focused on specific latitudes. This scenario recalls the early stages of Starlink, when its service was restricted and unstable for few users.
Initially, the service performance is expected to vary depending on the location. Expected parameters include speeds between 50 Mbps and 150 Mbps, latency ranging between 20 ms and 40 ms, as well as a connection that may be unstable in areas with poor coverage, with progressive improvements as new satellites are launched.
Despite constant progress, Amazon still faces obstacles in maintaining the planned speed for its constellation. Part of this delay is related to the launch schedule, which was affected by setbacks in the development of the New Glenn rocket, manufactured by Blue Origin. This factor has reduced the deployment frequency, while SpaceX maintains a considerable advantage due to the consolidation of its network.
Nevertheless, the recent advance signals an acceleration. It is predicted that the commercial service will begin to take shape by mid-2026, as more satellites are incorporated and coverage becomes more uniform globally.
