Everything you need to know about Starlink’s satellite internet by SpaceX

It seems that there is no end to technological advancement in our world, as new technologies are discovered and invented each year, which can make our lives much better and easier. One of the modern technologies that is currently attracting a lot of attention is the SpaceX-owned Starlink satellite internet service, being developed by one of the richest individuals in America and the world, Elon Musk. The Starlink project began in 2015, and it is expected to be operational in some areas around the world soon. If you want to know more about the Starlink satellite internet service, keep reading as we provide you with the most essential information about Starlink, including how it works, internet speed, launch date, and more.

The Starlink project was developed by SpaceX to provide very high-speed internet anywhere on the Earth’s surface. Thousands of satellites are launched into space to orbit around the Earth (in low Earth orbit), and these satellites are capable of delivering internet signals to any location in the world, as the satellites will be 350 miles above the Earth’s surface. Although confirmed information about the internet speed in the Starlink service is not available yet, it is expected that the signal latency will be between 25 and 35 milliseconds due to its low orbit and other factors. This latency should be sufficient for all internet tasks such as file downloading and uploading, online gaming, and more. It is expected that the download speed will reach up to 1 gigabit per second.

While there is no confirmed information about internet speeds yet, some sources indicate that the internet speed tests in the Starlink service show download speeds ranging from 38 to 60 megabits per second, and upload speeds ranging from 4.5 to 18 megabits per second. Internet speed in Starlink is expected to increase further in the coming months as it is still in the testing phase. Just like internet speeds, there is no confirmed information about Starlink service prices. However, in an article on CNN, it was mentioned that the service price will be $499 one-time payment for the device purchase, in addition to $99 monthly subscription fee.

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As mentioned, the satellites will be in a low orbit above the Earth’s surface, and thousands of them will be launched to cover the largest possible area of the Earth’s surface. These satellites appear flat with a weight of up to 260 kilograms. Each satellite has four antennas in the main part to transmit internet signals strongly. The satellites also have laser beams that link each group of five satellites together. Additionally, the satellites have ion thrusters that use krypton gas to keep the satellites in their orbits for as long as possible (due to their low orbit above the Earth’s surface).

The company has launched up to 900 satellites into space so far, with the first group launched in 2018, followed by another 60 satellites in 2019, reaching a total of 900 satellites. SpaceX aims to launch another 180 satellites above the Earth’s surface by the end of the current year 2020. However, the company has obtained a license to launch many more satellites, up to 12,000 satellites, which will be in the coming years. The total number of satellites is expected to exceed 42,000 to cover a larger area of the Earth’s surface.

Read also: 5 steps to follow when your internet speed via mobile data is slow

One of the common questions about the Starlink internet service is the launch date of the service and the locations where it will be available around the world. Regarding the launch date, Elon Musk mentioned in a tweet on Twitter that the beta version of the service will be available within three months, which was in April of this year. It is expected that the service will start in specific locations around the world during the year 2021. The places where the beta service will be available include Canada and some parts of North America, or areas with “high latitude” as Musk mentioned. The company will seek to expand to more regions around the world after the success of the beta period.

There is still a lot that we do not know about the Starlink satellite internet service, and there is a lot of controversy surrounding this service, possible harms, and more. Here are some common questions and answers about Starlink:

Does Starlink Use 5G Networks: Starlink service is designed for direct home fixed communications and therefore does not rely on 5G networks. It will not work on mobile cellular networks, but it can be connected through Wi-Fi. Which Is Faster, Starlink Internet or Fiber: Fiber internet speed reaches up to 10 gigabits per second, while Starlink is expected to reach 1 gigabit per second. However, this will not be at the beginning of the service as it still needs significant development. As mentioned, there is no confirmed information yet about the satellite internet speed from Starlink.

Does Starlink Service Cause Harm to the Universe: Many experts expect that Starlink satellites could cause various cosmic problems, especially after launching a large number of satellites up to 12,000, which could lead to light pollution on Earth. However, SpaceX claims that it is working to develop satellites to be safe for the universe and can be controlled through thrusters to safely deorbit them by burning them in the atmosphere in case of any issues or damages.