WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has accepted for filing an application from startup Starcloud for a massive constellation of up to 88,000 satellites. The application, filed under the name Starcloud LLC, was accepted by the FCC on March 13, 2026, according to the agency's public docket.
The company, which describes itself as an orbital data center startup, is seeking authority to deploy and operate the non-geostationary orbit satellite system. The application details plans for a constellation operating in very low Earth orbit (VLEO) to provide data center services.
The scale of the proposed constellation, at 88,000 satellites, would far exceed the size of any current or planned system, including SpaceX's Starlink. The filing initiates a regulatory review process where the FCC will evaluate technical details, orbital debris mitigation plans, and interference concerns with other systems.
Industry analysts note that such a large proposal will face significant regulatory and technical hurdles, including concerns about orbital congestion and space sustainability. The FCC has not indicated a timeline for a decision on the application.
