Starlink, operated by Musk, experiencing outage lasting over two hours.
In an unexpected turn of events, Elon Musk's Starlink satellite communication service experienced a global outage on July 24, 2025, lasting approximately two and a half hours[1][2]. The outage, which started around 19:15 UTC and ended at approximately 21:40 UTC, affected millions of users across the six million active customer base[1][2].
The cause of the outage was software issues within the Starlink network, as reported by a SpaceX manager[2]. The rapid and widespread onset and recovery of the outage across different locations suggest a software or configuration issue[1]. SpaceX acknowledged the problem via the Starlink X account and worked actively to implement a solution[2].
The disruption affected various industries and regions, particularly those relying heavily on Starlink's satellite internet, especially in rural or remote areas where Starlink provides critical internet access[2]. The outage potentially caused operational delays, reduced communication capabilities, and increased risk in industries such as maritime shipping, logistics, agriculture, and emergency services[1][2].
The incident also highlighted the vulnerability of satellite-based internet infrastructures to software or configuration faults, potentially prompting enterprises and governments to review their contingency plans or diversify internet redundancies[1].
Starlink has been a popular solution for areas without mobile network coverage, and it serves as a critical communication system for various users, including airlines and the Ukrainian army[1][2]. The outage underscores the criticality of satellite internet in today's digital infrastructure.
Before the outage, Starlink had been improving service quality, delivering a median peak-hour latency of about 25.7 ms across US customers, indicating the network's high performance[3].
While Project Kuiper, a competitor to Starlink being developed by Blue Origin, is not yet as advanced, it is worth noting that Jeff Bezos, the owner of Blue Origin, is also involved in the satellite internet industry[4]. Starlink operates with thousands of satellites orbiting the Earth at low altitudes, using compact receive and transmit stations on the ground[5].
Outages of the Starlink system, while rare, have occurred in the past, emphasising the need for continuous improvement and robustness in satellite communication systems[1]. Despite the recent setback, Starlink remains a vital player in the expanding role of satellite communication across varied industries and geographies[1][2][3].
[1] Starlink Outage Affects Millions of Users [2] SpaceX Acknowledges Starlink Outage and Works to Implement Solution [3] Starlink's Improving Service Quality [4] Blue Origin's Project Kuiper: A Competitor to Starlink [5] Starlink's Compact Ground Stations
- The outage of Starlink, a critical communication system used by various industries and regions, especially in remote areas, has raised concerns about the vulnerability of satellite-based internet infrastructures to software or configuration faults, potentially leading companies and governments to reassess their contingency plans or diversify internet redundancies.
- In the space-and-astronomy sector, the recent Starlink outage highlights the crucial role technology plays in satellite communication and the need for space companies like SpaceX to ensure high reliability and robustness in their systems to meet the growing demands of modern industries.
