StarLink
The Starlink satellite constellation now has over 5000 satellites in orbit and the company has now rolled out service accross the US and Canada. The "Better Than Nothing" public testing phase has now begun and Canadian users are starting to see beta testing invites. Users in the US now have the Starlink terminals, sold for US$499 (C$649), and a monthly fee of US$99 (C$129) per month. Total start up costs for a typical Canadian user are about C$800.
After the Starlink launch of 60 satellites on January 7, 2020, Elon Musk replied on Twitter that "At least 4" more launches would be required to offer basic service over parts of north America. More recently, Musk tweeted that "private beta testing begins in ~3 months (August 2020), public beta testing in ~6 months (November 2020), starting with high latitudes"
In a 2018 interview, Elon Musk said the long term goal of StarLInk is to create a comprehensive global communications system that provides high bandwidth, low latency connectivity anywhere in the world. "What we're going to do for satellites is we're going to revolutionize side of things just as we have done on the rocket side of things. In order for us to really revolutionize space, we have to address both satellites and rockets."
StarLink speeds in military testing have achieved downloads of 620 Mbps. The estimated cost of the StarLink constellation is 10 billion US dollars and the pizza box sized end user terminal will cost approximately US$499.00.
June 23, 2020 Update - Huge week for Starlink this week with 2 new developments.
- Starlink has applied for regulatory approval in Canada - more info.
- Images of Starlink terminals have been leaked - more here.
June 14, 2020 Update - Steve Jurvetson, Board Director of SpaceX and Tesla, tweeted on June 12th "Went to HQ and set up a Starlink terminal that connected to the satellites orbiting overhead. Simplest out of the box imaginable. Can't wait to upgrade my broadband later this year!". In a related reply, Elon Musk confirmed the expected latency to be "Around 20ms. Its designed to run real-time, competitve video games. Version 2, which is at lower altitude could be as low as 8ms latency."
This is fantastic news for anyone without access to high speed internet as the news takes us one step closer to realizing Starlink ambitions.
Watch the Last Spacex Launch Here
Starlink Terminal
According to a January 7, 2020 Tweet, the end user Starlink Terminal "Looks like a thin, flat, round UFO on a stick. Starlink Terminal has motors to self-adjust optimal angle to view sky. Instructions are simply:
- Plug in socket
- Point at sky
These instructions work in either order. No training required."
Starlink Satellites
Less Mass, More Compact - Each satellite weighs approximately 260 kilograms and features a compact, flat panel design that minimizes volume, allowing for a dense launch stack to take full advantage of the launch capabilities of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.
Antennas - With 4 powerful phased array antennas on each satellite, an enormous amount of throughput can be placed and redirected in a short time, for an order of magnitude lower cost.
Singular Solar Array - Starlink satellites feature a single solar array, significantly simplifying the system; solar cells are standardized, and easy to integrate into the manufacturing process.
Ion Propulsion Systems - Starlink satellites are equipped with efficient ion thrusters powered by krypton that enable the satellites to orbit rise, manouver in space, and deorbit at the end of their useful life. Starlink is the first krypton propelled spacecraft ever flown.
Please Note - This article is presented for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with SpaceX or Starlink.
Starlink FAQs
How can I sign up for Starlink internet?
You can only sign up directly via the Starlink website at www.starlink.com. Starlink will be offering their services to end users directly and not through a dealer / distributor network.
When will Starlink internet be available?
Starlink has now begun public "Better Than Nothing" beta testing across parts of Canada and the US.
How much will Starlink internet cost?
Monthly service is likely to cost approximately C$129 / month.
How fast will Starlink internet be?
Beta testers have reported download speeds of 50 to 150 Mbps.
When is the next Starlink launch date?
The next launch is set for February, 2021. Another 60 satellites are set to be launched.
Where can i get more information on Starlink?
The best place to get the latest information on SpaceX and Starlink is directly from Elon Musk, by following him on Twitter @elonmusk
Elon Musk Quote
“New technology development schedules tend to exhibit a version of Zeno’s Paradox — at any given point, you’re halfway there."
StarLink Timeline
April 22, 2020 - at 3:37 p.m. EDT, or 19:37 p.m. UTC, its seventh launch of 60 Starlink satellites was successful. Falcon 9 lifted off from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Falcon 9’s first stage previously supported Crew Dragon’s first flight to the International Space Station, launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, and the fourth Starlink mission. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. Falcon 9’s fairing previously supported the AMOS-17 mission.
March 18, 2020 - At 8:16 a.m. EDT, or 12:16 UTC, on Wednesday, March 18, SpaceX launched its sixth Starlink mission. Falcon 9 lifted off from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida with another 60 satellites.
February 17, 2020 - Today's launch of 60 Starlink satellites marked Falcon 9's 80th successful flight.
January 29, 2020 - "Successful deployment of 60 Starlink satellites confirmed!" SpaceX tweeted after the fourth launch, bringing the constellation to 240 satellites.
January 7, 2020 - SpaceX launched its third launch of Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
November 11, 2019 - at 9:56 a.m. EST, 14:56 UTC, SpaceX launched 60 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
May 23, 2019 - at 10:30 p.m. EDT SpaceX launched 60 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
April 26, 2019 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved SpaceX’s request to fly more than 1,500 of its Starlink satellites at an altitude of 550 kilometers.
Latest StarLink News
Elon Musk's SpaceX opens preorders for Starlink internet service in Canada (dailyhive.com, February 9, 2021)
Elon Musk’s Starlink project opens beta testing invites to some rural Parry Sound residents (parrysound.com, February 8, 2021)
Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service already has more than 10,000 subscribers (Nationalpost.com, February 5, 2021)
Starlink satellite internet grants instant sign-up for eligible Canadians (itworldcanada.com, January 21, 2021)
SpaceX starts sending out Starlink beta invites in Canada (MobileSyrup.ca, November 15, 2020)
SpaceX's Starlink satellite-internet service provides rapid speeds of 175 Mbps in freezing temperatures, high winds and deep snow, users report (BusinessInsider.in, November 15, 2020)
SpaceX Starlink internet approved in Canada, beta invites imminent (Teslarati.com, November 10, 2020)
From Painfully Slow to Lightning Fast: SpaceX's Starlink Makes Rural Internet Usable (PCMag.com, November 10, 2020)
Elon Musk's SpaceX closer to launching Starlink satellite internet in Canada (CTVNews.ca, November 6, 2020)
SpaceX's Starlink Can Start Serving Users in Canada, Regulator Says (pcmag.com, November 6, 2020)
Elon Musk's SpaceX gets CRTC application approval for Starlink satellite internet (ctvnews.ca, October 19, 2020)
Code on SpaceX's Starlink website contains the first official photos of Elon Musk's 'UFO on a stick' — and key details about the satellite-internet project's test program (BusinessInsider.com, July 15, 2020)
Elon Musk's SpaceX applies for telecom licence as it eyes bringing internet to remote Canada (FinancialPost.com, June 19, 2020)
Elon Musk says the biggest challenge of SpaceX's Starlink internet project is not satellites, but rather 'UFO on a stick' devices users will need to get online (BusinessInsider.in, June 5, 2020)
Starlink beta could begin within 3 months, according to Elon Musk (DigitalTrends.com, April 25, 2020)
Is That A Planet, A Star Or A SpaceX Starlink Satellite? The Stargazing Apps You Need During Lockdown (Forbes.com, April 24, 2020)
Elon Musk Wants Taxpayers to Pay for His Starlink Satellites (Nasdaq.com, April 10, 2020)
Amid pandemic, SpaceX launches another batch of Starlink satellites (cnn.com, March 18, 2020)
Starlink: transforming rural internet from space? (therockymountaingoat.com, February 25, 2020)
SpaceX likely to spin off Starlink business and pursue an IPO (bnnbloomberg.ca, February 6, 2020)
Elon Musk's SpaceX clears first hurdle to Australian broadband market (theguardian.com, February 4, 2020)
Starlink Videos
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| STARLINK MISSION | WHY SPACEX IS MAKING STARLINK | STARLINK SATELLITES SPOTTED OVER THE NETHERLANDS |
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| HOW WILL ELON MUSK'S STARLINK DELIVER INTERNET AROUND THE GLOBE? |
Please Note - This article is presented for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with SpaceX or Starlink.
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