SpaceX targets complete Starship retrieval while Starlink growth falls short
SpaceX is aiming to recover the entire Starship vehicle, with Elon Musk saying the upper stage is likely to be caught on the next flight. Starlink added 1.6 million subscribers, below forecasts, and its average revenue per user fell to $69.
SpaceX’s retrieval objective for Starship covers the entire vehicle. According to Elon Musk, the upper stage may be caught on the upcoming flight, making that attempt a key test of the recovery plan.
Separately, Starlink’s growth came in at 1.6 million new subscribers, below expectations. Its average revenue per user declined to $69, indicating a lower per-customer figure alongside the subscriber gain.
The outcome could affect satellite broadband customers and launch-industry observers. A successful full Starship recovery may influence how quickly reusable heavy-lift capacity becomes routine, while Starlink’s slower subscriber growth and lower per-user revenue may shape service pricing and investment priorities. These developments could matter to consumers relying on satellite internet, businesses using launch services, and communities seeking connectivity, though the actual effects remain uncertain.