Elon Musk's Starlink
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, providing satellite Internet access coverage to 45 countries which provide broadband Internet access. These mass-produced small Satellites are placed in Into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
SpaceX initially wanted of 30,000 of these satellites orbiting the planet. Meanwhile back in reality, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) only approved SpaceX to launch 7,500 upgraded satellites into low Earth orbit.
What does a subscription cost for Starlink?
High-speed, low-latency broadband internet in remote and rural locations across the globe. $110/mo with a one-time hardware cost of $599. For many the initial buy-in for the hardware might be cost prohibitive. Not sure if they have a purchase installment plan.
Starlink Milestones
- Starlink started launching satellites back in '19, currently they have deployed 3,300 of their allotted 7,500 satellites.
- Starlink hit 1M subscribers in 1st year
- Elon Musk Says 100 Starlink Terminals "Active" In Iran Amid 100 Days Of Unrest, I find this odd as Iran is on a do not export list for lots of restricted technology, including encryption) Hmm, were these units smuggled into the country? Nothing to see here move along.
- Elon Musk donated 3667 of the 5000 Starlink Terminals to Ukraine to allow Internet access during Russian invasion, now that the War is 1-year old the stations are continuing to be utilized. The initial goal was to allow Ukrainian citizens to report on Russian shelling and rampant citizen starvation.
- By the end of Sept. '22 there were 22,000 Starlink terminals in use in Ukraine; mostly by the Military. Not sure how many have been captured by Russian and mercenary troops, think war trophy and reverse engineering to aid hacking the satellite constellation. Musk stated these terminals are $20Million per month. Some of these costs are however, being offset by US, UK & Polish military donations.
Desire to learn more about Satellites? I wrote this Blog back in Nov. '21 How Much Do you Really Know about Satellites?
Summary - Starlink was initially about bringing Broadband access to unmeet needs across the globe. Now it seems it is a Military game changer for Ukraine. Wonder how other modern military will seek this type of advantage.
I am not an employee nor an agent of SpaceX, nor Starlink although it sounds super exciting!
