Starlink is the satellite internet network run by SpaceX, and it's now the biggest constellation ever put into orbit. As of late September 2026, more than 11,000 working Starlink satellites were circling Earth, and SpaceX says it had 12 million subscribers at the end of June.
Harper Quinn · Sunday 4 October 2026
Questions readers ask
What is Starlink?
Starlink is SpaceX's satellite internet network. It beams internet access from satellites in low Earth orbit, a few hundred kilometres up, and is sold directly at starlink.com.
How many Starlink satellites are there?
As of 29 September 2026, 12,962 had been launched, 11,133 were in orbit and 11,119 were working. KeepTrack reported those figures from astronomer Jonathan McDowell's tracking.
How many people use Starlink?
SpaceX reported 12.0 million subscribers at 30 June 2026, double the 6.0 million a year earlier.
How is Starlink different from the NBN's Sky Muster?
Sky Muster uses a small number of large satellites in geostationary orbit, about 35,786 km above the equator. Starlink's satellites are much closer, so signals spend less time travelling. That means less of the delay you notice on video calls and games.
Can I use Starlink to text 000 in Australia?
No. Telstra Satellite Messaging uses Starlink's direct-to-cell satellites, but it isn't an emergency service, and Telstra says it can't be used to text 000.
Sources
This desk has not corrected this file. Corrections.
Related · More in SpaceX
Editors' picks this week
- SpaceXSpaceX's Starship reaches orbit and releases 26 Starlink V3s
- Game ReviewsPersona 4 Revival gets a Shadow trailer, still due 18 Feb 2027
- AI / LLMGrok joins XChat group chats, plus a new TypeScript SDK
- RoadsMike Turtur Bikeway now rides over four busy Adelaide roads
- BreakingFDA approves Autus, a heart valve that grows with a child
The paper
Comments
No notes on this story yet.
Sign in to comment