According to Reuters, SpaceX is increasingly allocating the launch capabilities of its Falcon 9 rockets for its own Starlink satellites, limiting the options for those space companies that have long relied on Elon Musk's company to launch their satellites into orbit.
Reuters' analysis indicates that the share of Starlink in SpaceX's missions has increased from 54% in 2020 to about 79% in 2026.
In recent months, at least seven space companies have been informed that all Falcon 9 launches are almost fully booked until 2028-2029. This is due to SpaceX's plans to transition to the fully reusable Starship rocket.
Aanalysts estimate that a single Starlink mission conducted with Starship could generate the company tens of millions of dollars more in revenue than a commercial payload launch. In 2025, Starlink generated $11.4 billion in revenue, while SpaceX's space and launch business generated $4.1 billion. Last year, Starlink accounted for about 60% of the company's total revenue.
SpaceX plans to conduct the first orbital flight of Starship by the end of 2026, launching the next generation of Starlink satellites. The company has also announced that it could eventually launch up to 1 million solar-powered satellites that would serve as centers for artificial intelligence (AI) data processing in orbit.
At the same time, NASA has signed a contract with SpaceX to use Starship as a lunar landing module starting in 2028. Experts believe that NASA's plans and the expansion of Starlink could significantly limit access for third-party customers in the early years.
SpaceX also noted in its IPO prospectus that it may prioritize launching its own payloads over additional orders from the U.S. government or other customers.
For many years, Falcon 9 has been the main rocket of the U.S. space industry due to its reusable first stage and high launch frequency. However, its cost has risen from about $54 million in 2013 to about $74 million.
At the same time, competitors continue to face difficulties. Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded on the launch pad in May and will not return to service until at least the end of the year. United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket has not been used since February due to issues with its booster.
Meanwhile, Rocket Lab is developing a fully reusable Neutron rocket and acquiring Iridium for $8 billion. The company also manufactures satellite components and emphasizes that its business success depends on how easily customers can access launch services.
Analysts believe that if SpaceX continues to prioritize its own satellites, the cost of access to space may continue to rise, and small and new space companies without their own orbital-class rockets will find themselves in more challenging competitive conditions.
