Starlink Increases Dish Production to 15,000 Units Per Day at Texas Factory
SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service has significantly ramped up production, now producing 15,000 dishes per day at its Texas factory. This increase in manufacturing capacity comes as Starlink continues to expand its satellite-based internet coverage across 37 countries globally, with its customer base surpassing 4.6 million by the end of last year.
In a recent behind-the-scenes video released by SpaceX, the company revealed that its Bastrop, Texas facility is operating at full capacity, producing 5.5 million dishes annually. This expansion is a direct response to increasing demand for new connections as Starlink aims to offer internet services to more regions worldwide, including in Asia.
SpaceX plans to further increase the production capacity at the Bastrop factory by expanding its space by 1 million square feet in 2025. This expansion is expected to boost production output significantly and support the company’s goals for rapid global service deployment.
The Bastrop factory is responsible for producing the standard Starlink dishes, which are made from processed plastic pellets and aluminum to create the dish’s outer casing. Robotics technology is used in the production process, particularly for the creation of phased-array antennas and printed circuit boards (PCBs). The factory’s innovative approach to manufacturing allows Starlink to maintain high-quality standards while meeting increasing demand.
Previously, the cost of manufacturing Starlink dishes was over $3,000 per unit, forcing the company to subsidize dish sales until 2023. However, through the introduction of more advanced technologies and manufacturing processes, Starlink has been able to reduce production costs significantly, moving away from older-generation models to more efficient and cost-effective dishes.
With the new production methods in place, Starlink is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for satellite internet across the globe, ensuring the company’s ongoing expansion and success in bringing reliable connectivity to remote and underserved areas.
