SpaceX May Overshoot Satellite Goals By A Landslide If Starship Were 'To Launch Every Other Day:' Ark Analyst's Prediction

An analyst from Cathie Wood-led Ark Investment Management sees Elon Musk‘s SpaceX scaling the number of satellites in orbit beyond its initial plan with its Starship reaching orbit.

What Happened: Analyst Sam Korus estimates Starship to launch 900,000 kgs into orbit in a year.

If Starship launches “every other day,” it can create and maintain a constellation of about 73,000 satellites in orbit, way above the goal of 42,000 satellites the company has set, Korus says.

This is keeping in mind that satellites in low-earth orbit last about 5 years and must be replenished.

“We would not be surprised if SpaceX scales the number of satellites in orbit beyond its current plan to meet both consumer and government demand,” Korus said.

Why It Matters: Earlier this month, Musk said that its Starship is ready to launch and is now merely awaiting FAA license approval for its second flight test.

In an interview with journalist and author Ashlee Vance on June 24, Musk estimated a 60% probability for the next flight to reach orbit, contingent on the success of stage separation.

Several changes have been made to both the Starship undertaking flight and the launch pad to reduce damage on launch and a successful flight.

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