Thousands experience internet disruption due to Elon Musk's Starlink service outage
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Elon Musk, the tech mogul behind SpaceX, apologised for a recent Starlink outage that left over 60,000 people worldwide without internet access. The outage, caused by an internal software issue, affected users in several continents, including Colorado, Germany, Zimbabwe, and others.
Starlink, a global satellite internet network developed by SpaceX, functions as a telecommunications provider and has over six million users in approximately 140 countries and territories. The service was restored around six hours after the outage began on July 24, 2021.
SpaceX, an aerospace firm established by Musk, confirmed the resolution of the network issue and expressed regret for the disruption caused. The company had to consider approximately 1,800 Starlink satellites to address the root cause of the outage to ensure it would not happen again.
As of May 2025, Starlink operates more than 7,600 small satellites in low Earth orbit, with the current deployment being part of a broader plan to launch up to 12,000 satellites. Regulatory approval for a potential increase to 34,400 Starlink satellites is possible in the future.
Reports from affected users indicated that around 65% of them experienced a "total blackout", while others described difficulty accessing the internet during the outage. On his social media platform, X/Twitter, Musk promised a swift restoration of the service and emphasised the importance of connectivity.
SpaceX apologised for the inconvenience, stating the significance of maintaining uninterrupted internet service for its global user base. The outage affected Starlink users worldwide, disrupting their internet connections.
Despite the recent outage, Starlink continues to provide service to approximately 130 countries and regions, revolutionising internet connectivity in remote and underserved areas.
