How STMicroelectronics Became Backbone Of SpaceX's Starlink Network

STMicroelectronics N.V. (NYSE:STM) is marking a decade-long collaboration with SpaceX as Starlink surpasses 8 million users worldwide, highlighting the semiconductor company’s growing role in commercial satellite connectivity. Over the past 10 years, the companies have co-designed custom components that power millions of Starlink user terminals and more than 10,000 satellites. Starlink’s latest V3 satellites now deliver over one terabit per second of fronthaul throughput, reflecting rising performance demands across low Earth orbit constellations. Also Read: Europe’s $1.2 Billion STMicroelectronics Deal Aims To Secure Future Tech Scaling Starlink Terminals Starlink’s user terminal is positioned as the first consumer phased-array antenna, enabling direct connections to thousands of satellites. Designed for self-installation, the terminals are now produced at a rate exceeding 20,000 units per day and shipped to more than 150 countries. STMicroelectronics chips underpin this scale. Remi El-Ouazzane, president of the company’s Microcontrollers, Digital ICs, and RF Products Group, said the partnership spans concept development through high-volume manufacturing, including co-designed chips for user terminals and space-grade technologies for satellites. Engineering teams in France and Italy co-design Starlink products, with chip fabrication in France and packaging and testing in Malaysia and Malta. The collaboration focuses on BiCMOS technology and panel-level packaging to meet volume, quality, and cost targets. STMicroelectronics now delivers over 5 million chips daily and supplies additional components such as STM32 microcontrollers, secure elements, and GNSS modules. Reuters reported Monday that STMicroelectronics has shipped more than 5 billion RF antenna chips to SpaceX, a figure the company expects could double within two years. Commercial Space Growth And Outlook As space activity shifts toward commercial markets, companies such as SpaceX, OneWeb, Eutelsat, and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) are driving demand for specialized chips that support high data rates and operate in harsh environments. STMicroelectronics is also set to supply inter-satellite laser links for SpaceX and work with European partners, including on the EU’s Iris 2 satellite constellation. STMicroelectronics shares are up just over 4% year-to-date. On November 12, CEO Jean-Marc Chery said the company expects 2026 to begin at normal demand levels and that the slower-than-expected recovery in 2025 will not leave customers with excess inventory. He added that first-quarter revenue is expected to decline 10%–11% sequentially from projected fourth-quarter revenue of $3.28 billion, while still growing about 20% year over year. STM Price Action: STMicroelectronics shares were up 2.00% at $26.52 during premarket trading on Monday, according to Benzinga Pro data. Read Next: Nvidia Eyes Bigger AI Chip Output After China Orders Flood In Photo by Sundry Photography via Shutterstock