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SpaceX Gets Green Light To Launch 7,500 More Starlink Satellites

The FCC order ensures many more Starlink launches for the remainder of the decade.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has received permission from the Federal Communications Commission to more than double the number of operational satellites currently orbiting the Earth in coming years.

The FCC is allowing the company to move ahead with plans to launch 7,500 more Starlink broadband internet satellites, which is roughly one-fourth of the 29,988 additional flying routers the company had proposed adding to its nascent mega-constellation in low-Earth orbit.

On Dec. 1, the federal agency approved launching thousands of second generation (Gen2) Starlink routers while deferring action on the remaining 22,000-plus satellites in the request. The authorization permits SpaceX to use Ku and Ka-band frequencies and defers the company’s proposed use of E-band frequencies and tracking beacons.

The new order essentially replaces a previous authorization from the FCC permitting SpaceX to deploy a group of over 7,500 satellites using the V-band. The company has since abandoned that plan.

«This means our action today does not increase the total number of satellites SpaceX is authorized to deploy,» the order reads. «And in fact slightly reduces it, as compared to the total number of satellites SpaceX would potentially have deployed otherwise.»

Still, the move reaffirms the company’s plan to make orbit significantly more crowded. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, there were 5,465 operational satellites in orbit as of April 30, 2022. That is satellites from all companies, countries and organizations in operation as of that day.

Since then, SpaceX has added more than 1,000 satellites to that number, and the authorization for Gen2 satellites will more than double that total.

Several scientific organizations have expressed concern in recent years over ways the flood of satellites in low-Earth orbit may interfere with astronomical observations and pose a potential threat to operations in orbit for astronauts and other satellites.

SpaceX has responded with pledges to de-orbit the craft on a schedule and to add special coatings and technological improvements to reduce the satellites’ reflectivity.

SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Barring any future orders from the FCC, the authorization essentially ensures that we will see regular and frequent Starlink launches for the remainder of the decade. The order requires that half of the newly approved satellites be operational within six years and that the other half be launched and operational before Dec. 1, 2031.

Technologies

Here’s What Tesla’s New Range of Affordable Electric Cars Cost

What you get with the stripped-down Model Y and Model 3.

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Technologies

The Best PS5 Deal Sold Out On Black Friday, but It’s Back Ahead of Cyber Monday

This amazing PS5 Black Friday deal is back as an early Cyber Monday offer. It has already sold out once, so don’t miss your chance this time.

Black Friday deals kicked off a bit earlier this year, meaning buyers had more time to shop for great discounts. However, it also meant some of the hottest offers disappeared faster than ever. One of the most exciting gaming deals was a $100 price cut on the PlayStation 5 Slim digital edition. This deal already sold out once, but it’s back as an early Cyber Monday offer for $399 on Amazon. So, if you’ve been waiting to get a PS5, there’s no better time.

You can also get the version with a disc drive for $450, and the mighty PlayStation 5 Pro for $649. All of these are $100 off, so you can get a great deal regardless of your preference.

The disc‑free console is the cheapest option, but it means all your games will need to be downloaded. While digital discounts can go pretty far, physical games are nearly always cheaper if you know where to look. If you’d rather save a bit of money in the long run, then go for the disc drive version now.

Not only will you be able to play any old PS4 discs in your collection, but you’ll also be able to borrow games from friends and take advantage of discounts on physical titles at Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop and more.

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The PS5 Pro is the pinnacle of the PlayStation offerings and has more speed and power all‑around, making it ideal for those who only want the best.

If you decide to commit to Sony with a new console, then it’s definitely worth taking a look at all the best PlayStation deals for even more savings on games, headsets and controllers. You can save a lot of money if you can be patient with these things.

Why this deal matters

The PS5 doesn’t drop in price often, and this is an excellent discount on three different versions. Being able to save $100 across the Slim digital, Slim disc and Pro models is a rare opportunity. Whether you’re looking to get your very first PlayStation 5 or upgrade to the Pro, this is a fantastic chance to do so — especially since the Slim deal has already sold out once and may not linger for long.

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The $69 AirPods 4 Black Friday Bargain Is Still Around. Get It While Stocks Last

If you’re quick, you can grab Apple’s AirPods 4 for $69, a budget-friendly deal that feels hard to pass up.

There were a lot of deals on your computer screen this Black Friday, some more exciting than the others. One of those was this AirPods 4 deal, which is still available on Amazon. If you’ve been waiting to buy new earbuds, pick up the entry-level AirPods 4 for just $69 right now (normally $129). This is a record low price.

If active noise cancellation is a must, you’ll be happy to see that the AirPods 4 with ANC are currently selling for $139 on Amazon (normally $179). This isn’t the lowest price we’ve seen — they were down to $100 on Black Friday — but it’s still a decent discount.

The Apple AirPods 4 are available in two formats. The non-ANC version usually runs $129, while the ANC model typically sells for $179. With this discount, you pay only $69 for the non-ANC model. These AirPods have been redesigned for a more comfortable fit. The Apple H2 chip allows for voice isolation whenever you have to take calls in a noisy environment. The AirPods 4 also offer personalized spatial audio and a battery life of up to 20 hours.

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These AirPods are dustproof and waterproof and include a smaller case for easier carrying. You can use them with Siri for added voice control options, which lets you start calls or choose your audio. You can also shake your head or nod to respond to prompts.

Looking for deals on other new Apple devices? We rounded up the best iPhone 17 and Apple Watch Series 11 deals.

Why this deal matters

Apple makes superb audio gear, and the AirPods offer good sound quality and a comfortable fit for most people. «They may not be quite as cheap or as small as the AirPods 2, but they sound a lot better and have a lot more features,» says CNET audio expert David Carnoy, who thought $100 would be a good price for them.

The lower-priced AirPods lack noise-canceling features, but for just $69, this is a deal you should seriously consider.

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