SpaceX is exploring a new Starlink-powered “Stargaze” service that would deliver satellite-based experiences directly to smartphones, opening a potential consumer revenue stream beyond broadband connectivity.
SpaceX is looking beyond broadband internet for its Starlink satellite network. According to people familiar with the plans, SpaceX is evaluating a consumer-facing “Stargaze” service that would allow users to access satellite-driven experiences directly on their smartphones, potentially creating a new revenue stream tied to its rapidly expanding low-Earth orbit constellation.
The initiative reflects SpaceX’s broader ambition to extract more value from Starlink as it scales toward global coverage. While internet access remains the core offering, executives have increasingly signaled interest in layered services that monetize the network in novel ways.
What the Stargaze concept involves
The Stargaze service is understood to be distinct from Starlink’s primary internet connectivity business. Instead of acting purely as a data pipe, the service would leverage Starlink’s satellites to deliver curated, space-based experiences to consumers—possibly including live satellite views, astronomical content, or interactive sky-mapping features optimized for mobile devices.
Sources say the service could be bundled with future Starlink direct-to-phone capabilities, allowing smartphones to communicate with satellites without specialized hardware. This would dramatically expand Starlink’s addressable market beyond households and enterprises to individual consumers.
Why smartphones matter to Starlink’s growth
Starlink has already deployed thousands of satellites and secured millions of subscribers worldwide. However, growth in traditional broadband markets faces constraints, including regulatory hurdles, spectrum limitations, and competition from fiber and 5G.
Smartphone-based services offer a different path. By tapping into the global mobile user base, Starlink could reach billions of potential users, even if only a fraction adopt paid satellite-powered features.
Industry analysts note that consumer services layered atop Starlink’s infrastructure could deliver higher-margin revenue compared to hardware-heavy broadband subscriptions.
Direct-to-phone ambitions
SpaceX has been steadily advancing its direct-to-cell strategy, working with telecom partners to enable basic connectivity—such as messaging and emergency services—via satellites. The Stargaze concept could build on this foundation, using the same infrastructure to support richer content experiences.
Unlike traditional satellite services that require specialized terminals, phone-based access lowers the barrier to entry dramatically. This approach aligns with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s stated goal of making satellite connectivity ubiquitous.
Potential revenue models
While SpaceX has not publicly outlined pricing, analysts suggest several possibilities:
- Subscription-based access to premium satellite experiences
- Pay-per-use features tied to specific events or content
- Bundled offerings with Starlink broadband or telecom partners
Even modest pricing could add up quickly if adoption scales across global smartphone markets.
Competition and differentiation
The idea of satellite-powered consumer experiences is not entirely new, but SpaceX’s scale sets it apart. With the largest active satellite constellation in orbit, Starlink can deliver near-continuous coverage, a prerequisite for real-time mobile services.
Competitors in the satellite space often focus on enterprise, defense, or niche consumer applications. SpaceX’s willingness to experiment with mass-market services underscores its unique position at the intersection of aerospace and consumer technology.
Regulatory and technical hurdles
Despite its promise, the Stargaze concept faces challenges. Delivering satellite services directly to phones requires regulatory approval across multiple jurisdictions, particularly around spectrum use.
On the technical side, ensuring reliable connections, managing latency, and optimizing battery usage on mobile devices will be critical. SpaceX’s recent satellite upgrades suggest the company is investing heavily to address these constraints.
Why SpaceX wants diversification
Starlink has become a key revenue driver for SpaceX, helping fund its broader ambitions, including Starship development and Mars exploration. Diversifying Starlink’s offerings reduces reliance on any single market and improves long-term financial resilience.
Consumer-facing services like Stargaze also enhance Starlink’s brand, positioning it as more than an internet provider—closer to a platform.
Implications for the space economy
If successful, Stargaze could signal a shift in how satellite networks are monetized. Instead of purely infrastructure plays, constellations could evolve into consumer platforms, blending connectivity, content, and experience.
This model could inspire similar experiments across the space industry, accelerating innovation in satellite-enabled consumer services.
What comes next
Sources caution that Stargaze remains exploratory, with no confirmed launch timeline. SpaceX is known for testing ideas internally before committing publicly.
Still, the very consideration of such a service highlights how Starlink’s role is expanding. What began as an effort to deliver internet to remote areas may soon underpin a new class of satellite-powered consumer experiences.
