• 2 min read
SpaceX starts shipping smaller, lighter Starlink V5
SpaceX has begun delivering Starlink V5 terminals, which are 48% smaller, 62% lighter and use about 50% less power than V4.
Image: iXBT
SpaceX has started shipping its next-generation Starlink V5 user terminal, with the first customers already receiving the redesigned dish, according to insider Sawyer Merritt, who published photos and details of the hardware on July 22, 2026.
Compared with the Starlink V4 terminal, the new antenna has a 48% smaller surface area and is 62% lighter, weighing 1.1 kg. The reduced size should make it easier to transport and install while lowering wind loads. Starlink V5 is rated for operation in winds of up to 265 km/h.
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Power consumption has also fallen significantly. The terminal uses an average of 35–50 watts, compared with 75–100 watts for the previous generation—an improvement in energy efficiency of approximately 50%. That could matter particularly to users relying on off-grid power sources.
Despite the smaller design and lower power draw, performance remains at the previous level, with download speeds that can exceed 375 Mbps. Tesla and Starlink previously said the Starlink V5 satellite-internet kit is directly integrated into the Cybercab robotaxi.
Frontier Editor
Dan is our resident futurist, covering electric mobility, space exploration, and the smart home. He's interested in atoms just as much as bits. Whether it's a new battery chemistry, a reusable rocket, or a protocol that finally makes IoT devices talk to each other, Dan breaks down the engineering that pushes humanity forward.
via iXBT
