According to Sawyer Merritt, Starlink for aviation has introduced dramatically thinner satellite antennas that help reduce fuel consumption compared to bulky legacy satellite antennas (Source: Sawyer Merritt on Twitter, Jan 14, 2026). This innovation addresses a significant pain point in the aviation industry by enabling airlines to adopt high-speed inflight connectivity without the traditional weight penalties. The ultra-thin design not only optimizes aerodynamics but also provides a competitive advantage for commercial airlines seeking operational cost savings and improved passenger experience. These advancements highlight a growing trend toward integrating advanced satellite communications in aviation, which is creating new business opportunities for AI-driven inflight services, data analytics, and real-time operational optimizations.

According to Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt), SpaceX plans to double production of its Starlink kits at the Bastrop, Texas facility by 2026 to address increasing global demand. The expansion will enable greater vertical integration in manufacturing processes such as injection molding, die-casting, PCBs, and PCBA assembly. For the AI sector, this scale-up presents significant business opportunities: advanced AI-driven automation and machine learning will likely be integrated to optimize production lines, quality control, and predictive maintenance, supporting SpaceX's strategy to diversify its supply chain and ensure U.S.-engineered products. This move signals a growing trend of leveraging AI-powered smart manufacturing in the satellite and telecommunications industries, opening new markets for AI solutions and services (source: @SawyerMerritt).