SpaceX is working on inter-satellite connectivity links to link with third-party machines in orbit.

Michael Nicolls, VP of Starlink Engineering at SpaceX, this week posted a video on X detailing a Starlink “mini laser” designed to connect third-party satellites and space stations into the Starlink constellation.

“The mini laser is designed to achieve link speeds of 25Gbps at distances up to 4,000 km, and was recently successfully tested in orbit on a satellite launched on Starlink G10-20,” he said.

Starlink satellites already have inter-satellite capabilities, but are currently only able to communicate with other Starlink satellites. Each Starlink satellite contains three space lasers (Optical Intersatellite Links or ISLs) operating at up to 200Gbps.

Several companies are looking to deploy satellites able to connect with in-orbit machines from other providers. KSAT recently announced plans to launch a fleet of 'ground station' satellites to act as connectivity intermediaries.

In other Starlink news, the company has reportedly expanded its ground station footprint into Vietnam.

During the launch of a new data center last week, Nguyen Van Khoa, CEO of FPT, said Starlink selected two local partners to set up ground stations, with FPT chosen as the first. The antennas have been installed at the newly launched FPT Fornix HCM02 and at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park in Ho Chi Minh City.

In Bangladesh, the company has reportedly leased a one-acre plot in Rajshahi Hi-Tech Park and is developing a ground station site there.

Starlink has dozens of ground station sites worldwide and continues to build out new ones. The company recently filed for permission for ground station deployments in County Mayo, Ireland; Tampa, Florida; and Leuk, Switzerland.