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Starlink home internet services are officially going mobile

Posted on July 3, 2022 by Admin

In a piece of recent and latest news, SpaceX’s satellite internet service is officially going mobile after the Federal Communications Commission. On Thursday, 30 June 2022, FCC authorized the company to provide its Starlink WiFi service to vehicles. SpaceX already offers Starlink home internet, which left beta last October. The space-based internet is coming to planes, trains and automobiles, including water-mode of transport like boats.

Starlink home internet

“We agree with SpaceX… that the public interest would benefit by granting with conditions their applications,” The FCC wrote in its authorization letter. “Authorizing a new class of terminals for SpaceX’s satellite system will expand the range of broadband capabilities to meet the growing user demands that now require connectivity while on the move, whether driving an RV across the country, moving a freighter from Europe to a U.S. port, or while on a domestic or international flight.”

Starlink had already begun expanding its terrestrial footprint, even before the FCC decision, installing receiver dishes at Tesla Supercharger stations, raising prices and unveiling a $500/month Premium service tier. SpaceX has also recently announced partnerships with Delta and Hawaiian Airlines to potentially offer the service aboard their aircraft.

Operation of Group-based telescopes

SpaceX, and CEO Elon Musk, have also played the hero in recent months by offering an ‘internet bridge’ to volcano-devastated Tonga and providing Starlink Starlink home internet terminals to the Ukraine government—a generous offer that was, like most of Musk’s ventures, footed by the American taxpayer.

Starlink home internet service—more specifically, the massive constellation of microsatellites in Low Earth Orbit that enable it—has also drawn condemnation from astronomers worldwide who argue that the highly-reflective satellites, of which there are currently more than 2,200 in orbit and which Musk wants 40,000 more of, are grossly interfering with the operation of ground-based telescopes.

Starlink’s Portability Feature lets Users Carry their Internet

Posted on May 5, 2022 by Admin

SpaceX’s Starlink internet services have introduced a new portability feature. Starlink’s Portability feature will let subscribers carry their internet along with them.

Starlink’s Portability Feature

Starlink’s Portability Feature pens up connectivity to remote places that will likely never be covered by 5G — a potential boon to the increasing numbers of work-from-anywhere types spawned by the COVID 19 pandemic. For an additional monthly fee. Starlink subscribers can now take their dish anywhere on their home continent that provides active internet coverage.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk responded to one happy Starlink camper saying, “Starlink is awesome for RV’s, camping or any activity away from cities.” Starlink doesn’t support use while driving yet, but the company says it’s actively working on a solution for moving vehicles. Musk has previously tweeted about working on a power-efficient solution that can plug into a car’s 12V cigarette lighter and still maintain connectivity. That hasn’t stopped some owners from using a bit of hackery to test Starlink on speeding cars — with varied success.

Priority for Network Resources

Power consumption is an important consideration when boondocking and living off your vehicle’s battery. Starlink reportedly draws between 60-70W, according to Jeff Geerling’s blog, an improvement on the 80-100W draw from just a year ago.

Starlink is offering Portability on a best effort basis, the company says, with users at their registered service addresses receiving priority for network resources. “When you bring your Starlink to a new location, this prioritization may result in degraded service, particularly at times of peak usage or network congestion,” notes the Starlink support page.

Existing Starlink customers can add the Starlink Portability feature from their account page which then immediately becomes active. It costs an additional $25 each month, on top of monthly subscriptions that already start at $110 after a one-time hit of $599 to purchase the Starlink kit.

Also Read: How does Army Corps of Engineers stop SpaceX’s plans for expansion?

How does Army Corps of Engineers stop SpaceX’s plans for expansion?

Posted on April 9, 2022 by Admin

SpaceX can’t start expanding its launch facilities in Boca Chica, Texas anytime soon. According to documents obtained by various media sources, the Army Corps of Engineers has closed its review of the company’s application to build a new launchpad, landing pad and other related infrastructure in Boca Chica. SpaceX reportedly failed to provide the Army Corps with the environmental information it requested, and the permit process can’t continue without it.

Failure to validate Army Corps

The company was planning to build new infrastructure on 17 acres of land that includes wetlands and mudflats. As CNBC notes, the Army Corps has stewardship over wetland areas that serve as habitats for fish and wildlife in the country. It oversees any development over wetlands to ensure it doesn’t cause a significant impact on the endangered species living in them, as well as on drinking water for people in the area. It’s also in charge of examining whether it’s feasible for companies applying for a permit to move construction elsewhere.

In the letter it sent to the company, the Army Corps listed the information it’s seeking from SpaceX, including how its expansion would impact the wetlands exactly. It’s also asking for data on threatened or endangered species that may be significantly impacted by the construction, as well as the company’s current knowledge on the presence or absence of historic properties on the land. While the Army Corps suspended the company’s application, SpaceX can reinitiate the permit process if it can provide all the information being requested.

Separate Review of the Facility

The Federal Aviation Administration is also conducting a separate review of the facility to determine whether launching the Starship out of Boca Chica will cause safety issues or have a significant environmental impact on the area. SpaceX was supposed to hear from the FAA last year, but the agency has delayed its decision quite a few times since then: Its latest target date of completion is April 29th. Without permission from the FAA, it won’t be able to launch its massive spaceship from Boca Chica for its first orbital test flight that’s expected to take place in the next few months. Elon Musk previously said that if SpaceX fails to secure the permits the company needs in Texas, it will move Starship launches to Cape Canaveral in Florida.

Also Read: What do Russia’s Letters to NASA say about its withdrawal from the ISS?

Tag: SpaceX