SpaceX appears to be developing a new iteration of its Starlink Mini satellite dish that features a built-in battery and native USB-C power support, according to newly uncovered firmware code.
Jinwei Zhao, a PhD student at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, spotted the references in a Starlink firmware release dated May 7, 2026. Working under computer science Professor Jianping Pan, Zhao regularly analyzes Starlink firmware implementations. In the latest code, which defines SpaceX's implementation of the open-source gRPC protocol, Zhao found explicit power source configurations named PowerSource_USBC, PowerSource_BATTERY, and PowerSource_USBC_AND_BATTERY.
In addition to the power sources, Zhao discovered a code snippet labeled message DishBatteryStats. This snippet contains fields to monitor the battery's state of charge, check if it is actively charging, and identify the current power source. Currently, no version of the Starlink Mini features an integrated battery, meaning these software definitions point toward unreleased hardware.
The software discovery aligns with another recent leak. Ukrainian Starlink repair technician Oleg Kutkov recently identified a device referred to as MINI1_RUGGED_PROD1 in a separate firmware build. Observers suspect this ruggedized terminal could be destined for industrial, military, or demanding outdoor applications, where a built-in battery would provide a substantial advantage. Currently, users of the Starlink Mini must buy a proprietary barrel jack to USB-C adapter cable to power the system from portable power banks or use third-party battery accessories.
Integrating a battery and a USB-C port directly into the Starlink Mini would eliminate the need for these external adapters and power bricks, greatly increasing portability. PCMag reviewer Brian Westover noted that a battery-powered terminal would be highly beneficial for field operations, disaster response, and off-grid mobile setups. Westover estimated that SpaceX would likely keep the integrated battery relatively small to preserve the dish's lightweight form factor, potentially capping runtimes to one or two hours on a single charge. Still, this self-contained power capability would allow users to transition between power sources without losing their satellite connections.
SpaceX has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the unreleased hardware or the rugged model name. The University of Victoria research team continues to study Starlink firmware and competing satellite networks to publish technical suggestions designed to optimize performance.
