U.S. Appeals Court Backs FCC Approval of SpaceX Starlink Satellite Deployment

A U.S. appeals court upheld the FCC's decision to approve SpaceX's plan to deploy thousands of Starlink satellites for space-based broadband internet. The court rejected challenges from DISH Network and an environmental group. FCC approved deployment of 7,500 satellites in 2022 to expand internet access in underserved areas.

A U.S. appeals court on Friday upheld the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) decision approving SpaceX's plan to deploy thousands of Starlink satellites, aiming to provide space-based broadband internet service.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia rejected legal challenges from DISH Network and an environmental group composed of amateur astronomers and dark-sky enthusiasts.

DISH argued that the FCC did not adequately consider the risk of signal interference with other satellites, while the astronomer group claimed the FCC had not adhered to environmental laws in its approval process. In 2022, the court had previously rejected a separate challenge to SpaceX's plan to deploy satellites in a lower Earth orbit.

In late 2022, the FCC approved SpaceX's request to deploy up to 7,500 satellites, amending a previous 2018 approval for 4,425 first-generation satellites. SpaceX aims to operate a network of 29,988 satellites, known as the "second-generation" or Gen2 Starlink constellation, to extend internet access to regions with poor connectivity.

A three-judge panel confirmed that the FCC's decision to license SpaceX's Gen2 Starlink satellites was both lawful and reasonable. DISH did not immediately provide a comment on the ruling. Last year, the FCC turned down SpaceX's and LTD Broadband's applications for funds from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, valued at $885.5 million, stating Starlink had failed to meet basic program requirements and could not guarantee its promised service.

FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel defended the decision during a recent U.S. House hearing. The FCC reiterated that the decision was based on Starlink's failure to meet essential program criteria.

(With inputs from agencies.)