STMicroelectronics has shipped 5 billion chips to Elon Musk’s SpaceX for the Starlink satellite network over the past decade. A senior executive now says that number could double in just the next two years. The European chipmaker told Media about this explosive growth, revealing for the first time how big their partnership with SpaceX has actually become.
Jean-Marc Chery, the CEO of STMicro, met with Musk ten years ago. Back then, nobody imagined this collaboration would turn into one of Europe’s largest chipmakers supplying billions of components for a global satellite internet system. That meeting has become a driver for STMicro’s specialised chip business, completely changing how the company approaches the space industry.
By the Numbers
Remi El-Ouazzane, president of STMicro’s microcontrollers and digital integrated circuits division, spoke about these figures in a recent interview. “The past 10 years of user terminals in terms of volume could actually double over the next two years,” he said. He didn’t give specific targets, but the message was clear—demand is skyrocketing.
STMicro delivered more than 5 billion radio-frequency “front-end modules” or antenna elements to SpaceX since their collaboration began around 2015. These aren’t ordinary chips. They’re BiCMOS-based antenna chips designed specifically for Starlink user terminals. They need to handle high data rates and survive harsh conditions in space—something most regular chips simply can’t do. The manufacturing precision required for these components sets them apart from standard semiconductor products you’d find in phones or computers.
The scale of this operation reveals something important about modern technology. When STMicroelectronics first started disclosing details about their space contract, industry analysts were genuinely surprised by the sheer volume involved. Producing billions of specialized chips requires massive manufacturing capacity and stringent quality control. Each component must work flawlessly because you can’t exactly send a repair technician to orbit when something breaks.
Matter for Space Business
The space industry is going through something remarkable right now. It’s shifting from old-school government-led projects to a fast-growing commercial market. Companies like SpaceX, Eutelsat, and Amazon’s planned Leo network are driving this change. This boom is creating huge demand for specialised chips that can work in satellite systems.
Think about it: Starlink operates in more than 150 markets and already serves around 8 million users, according to its website. That’s a lot of ground to cover, and each connection requires these specialized radio-frequency antenna chips. El-Ouazzane believes many lower-orbit satellite players will leverage similar technology as the market grows. That means even more business for chipmakers who can deliver what satellites need.
The fast-growing nature of this commercial market has caught many traditional aerospace suppliers completely off guard. While they focused on expensive, low-volume components for government-led projects, STMicro positioned itself for mass production. This strategic decision, made years ago when Musk and Chery first discussed possibilities, has paid off enormously. The partnership shows how private companies are reshaping space economics in ways nobody predicted even five years ago.
What Makes These Chips Different
STMicroelectronics manufactures components that most people never think about but absolutely rely on. The antenna chips inside Starlink user terminals work as a phased array system. Multiple antenna elements coordinate together, electronically steering signals toward satellites passing overhead. No moving parts, just smart engineering doing the heavy lifting.
The BiCMOS-based manufacturing process combines different transistor technologies, giving these chips the performance needed for high-frequency applications. When you’re transmitting data to a satellite moving thousands of miles per hour, regular components won’t cut it. The partnership between STMicro and SpaceX works because the chipmaker understands these requirements deeply.
Each front-end module contains sophisticated circuitry that manages signal transmission and reception. These radio-frequency components must filter out interference, amplify weak signals from satellites, and transmit data back with enough power to reach orbit. All of this happens while consuming minimal power—crucial for battery-operated terminals. The engineering challenges involved explain why STMicro has become such a critical supplier for the entire satellite internet ecosystem.
Europe Gets in the Game
STMicro isn’t putting all its eggs in one basket. The company will supply components for upcoming inter-satellite laser links on SpaceX platforms. These optical connections let satellites talk directly to each other, making the whole network more efficient. This represents the next evolution in satellite communications technology.
But here’s where it gets interesting for European players. STMicro is working with Thales and Eutelsat on several projects, including the European Union’s planned Iris 2 satellite constellation. This planned system aims to give Europe its own secure satellite communications network. It’s not just about internet connectivity—it’s about strategic independence in an increasingly digital world where control over communications infrastructure matters more than ever.
The Iris 2 project shows how European governments recognize the importance of controlling their own space infrastructure. By partnering with established European players like Thales and Eutelsat, STMicroelectronics is positioning itself as the go-to supplier for continental satellite initiatives. This diversification reduces dependence on any single customer while spreading expertise across multiple programs, which makes good business sense for the long term.
Driving the Explosive Growth
The scale of what’s happening shows how much the fast-growing space contract business has changed. What started as a meeting between Musk and one of Europe’s largest chipmakers has turned into a relationship that disclosed just how massive satellite internet demand has become. The specialised chip business is no longer a niche market—it’s becoming essential infrastructure for global communications.
El-Ouazzane expects this trend to continue. As more satellite companies launch their own networks and the commercial market expands, the technology that STMicroelectronics has developed will likely power many of them. The next two years will show whether the prediction about doubling production volume comes true, but the direction seems clear enough. With demand continuing to surge and new projects constantly emerging, STMicro’s position in the satellite chip market looks stronger than ever before.