SpaceX unveils a Gen3 Starlink architecture with a 250 kW power payload and about 10 Tbps bidirectional bandwidth per satellite, targeting multi-gigabit broadband and space-based 5G direct-to-device connectivity.

Each Gen3 satellite will house a SpaceX-designed Nvidia Vera Rubin NVL72 computer, delivering near 10 Tbps per satellite in both directions and a path to surpass 100 Tbps through future upgrades.

Deployment will hinge on Starship launch cadence due to the higher power requirements, and commercial rollout will await FCC and international regulatory approvals.

Initial orbital testing will assess power distribution, thermal management for the Nvidia compute payload, and inter-satellite optical laser link throughput.

The Gen3 design quadruples power capacity compared with earlier Starlink generations, enabling higher effective isotropic radiated power to improve urban penetration and support direct-to-device links in dense areas.

Baseline capability targets 10 Tbps per satellite with a roadmap to exceed 100 Tbps in future hardware iterations.

SpaceX’s spectrum strategy includes acquiring EchoStar mid-band licenses and aligning with its direct mobile telco roadmap to enable non-terrestrial 5G services.

Gen3 satellites incorporate onboard SpaceX-designed compute with Nvidia Vera Rubin NVL72, enabling orbital data processing, digital beamforming, and dynamic RF power allocation without routing all tasks through ground stations.