[7][8] Starshield is a classified derivative of Starlink designed to be operated for, and which can host payloads for, military or government purposes.

The deployment of the first 1,440 satellites will be into 72 orbital planes of 20 satellites each,[9] with a requested lower minimum elevation angle of beams to improve reception: 25° rather than the 40° of the other two orbital shells.

[14] In March 2020, SpaceX reported producing six satellites per day.

[15] In February 2021, Musk stated that the satellites are traveling on 25 orbital planes clustered between 53° north and south of the equator.

[16] As of 11 February 2025[update]:[4] SpaceX envisions to launch larger and more capable Starlink satellites on Starship, a rocket with a much larger payload capacity that is under development.