Why Space Starlink Competitors Are Betting on Smaller Satellites

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Why Space Starlink Competitors Are Betting on Smaller Satellites

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Episode 83 of Space Business with Fexingo dives into the surprising strategy shift among satellite internet players: instead of building giant megaconstellations of thousands of large satellites, a new crop of competitors like AST SpaceMobile and Telesat are going small. We break down the economics — how a smaller satellite can cost as little as $500,000 to build versus $1 million-plus for a Starlink v2, and how lower launch mass lets startups ride-share on Falcon 9 at $5,000 per kilogram. Lucas and Luna explore the trade-offs: less bandwidth per satellite but faster deployment, easier regulatory approval, and lower financial risk if a satellite fails. They also examine how this 'small sat' approach wins in underserved markets like rural broadband and aviation, where coverage matters more than ultra-low latency. The episode also touches on the surprising role of SpaceX as both competitor and launch provider, and what the economics mean for the future of global connectivity. A fresh look at the space broadband race through the lens of unit economics. #SatelliteInternet #SpaceBusiness #SmallSats #ASTSpaceMobile #Telesat #Starlink #SpaceX #Megaconstellations #Broadband #RuralConnectivity #Aviation #LaunchEconomics #Falcon9 #Rideshare #LowEarthOrbit #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Technology Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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