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SpaceX: World record number of satellites launched

bbc.co.uk

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Re: SpaceX: World record number of satellites launched

#31

Post by ksec »

enchiridion wrote: post #29
m4rtink wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So one current generation Starlink satellite is estimated to weight about 260. One one unit cubesat weighs 1 kg. So discounting small details like deployment mechanisms and volume: 260 x 240 = 62400 cubesats for one Starship launch by weight.

What are the implications of that?

If LEO space were priced as real estate / property and assuming there are currently little restriction to zoning. SpaceX is about to own most of it.

I am thinking of it like a Game of Monopoly but SpaceX currently has anywhere from 5 - 10 rounds of head start if not more.

Interestingly once you start thinking about it. If TSMC were blown up by CCP. Samsung and Intel would caught up to their progress and volume within 2 years time.

Compare to SpaceX AFAIK There are currently nothing remotely close to SpaceX's offering within 3-4 years time frame.

Re: SpaceX: World record number of satellites launched

#32

Post by acover »

titzer wrote: post #23
acover wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The orbits have a 5 year life span and the satellites can deorbit. The satellites actually use propulsion to stay in their orbit! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink

This[1] suggests an orbit of 500-600km can a lifetime anywhere from 10-100 years. That's not short. [1] https://www.spaceacademy.net.au/watch/debris/orblife.htm The 5-year lifespan is for them to be intentionally deorbited. If they die, they become debris subject to atmospheric drag and other forces.

Interesting. Spacex says it's 5 years for the 550km orbit without propulsion. Maybe the orbit isn't perfectly circular or something else changes the maths.

wiki citation - https://spacenews.com/starlink-failures-highlight-space-sust...

Re: SpaceX: World record number of satellites launched

#33

Post by vkou »

Chickenosaurus wrote: post #15
stretchcat wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know these cubesats don't stay up for long in LEO, but at what point does it become too many cubesats?

There are more than 1 billion cars on earth. Cubesats are smaller than a car and can be distributed in an additional dimension (altitude). I think there is little risk of oversaturation currently.

Cars spend most of their time at rest, don't travel at cosmic speeds, and when they collide, don't send tens of thousands of pieces of shrapnel flying around the world for months/decades.

Re: SpaceX: World record number of satellites launched

#34

Post by gregoriol »

vkou wrote: post #33
Chickenosaurus wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are more than 1 billion cars on earth. Cubesats are smaller than a car and can be distributed in an additional dimension (altitude). I think there is little risk of oversaturation currently.

Cars spend most of their time at rest, don't travel at cosmic speeds, and when they collide, don't send tens of thousands of pieces of shrapnel flying around the world for months/decades.

Cars seem to have a lot in common actually: satellites are "at rest" most of the time, it just that this rest could be a hazard as some point; but a car parked badly, around a sharp turn or in the middle of the highway would be a hazard as well. Cars can collide too, they can leave debris, which can become dangerous themselves for other cars, or pollute the nature around from leaks, ...

The only reason I'd say cars are in a "better" situation is simply because we can clean up. We don't do it yet with satellites.

Re: SpaceX: World record number of satellites launched

#35

Post by wmf »

_Microft wrote: post #20

Something that might not be obvious for people not following space flight closely: this was a launch into a polar orbit from Florida . In the past these would have launched from Vandenberg airforce base in California because there is a clear path towards the south from there. So, how is SpaceX doing that now? They are conducting a so-called „dog leg“ maneuver. This trajectory leads the rocket further out to the east…

The landing also looked pretty close to Cuba.

Re: SpaceX: World record number of satellites launched

#36

Post by herodoturtle »

_Microft wrote: post #20

Something that might not be obvious for people not following space flight closely: this was a launch into a polar orbit from Florida . In the past these would have launched from Vandenberg airforce base in California because there is a clear path towards the south from there. So, how is SpaceX doing that now? They are conducting a so-called „dog leg“ maneuver. This trajectory leads the rocket further out to the east…

This was an incredibly insightful comment, thank you.

I've been following SpaceX relatively closely; as a South African I've cheered on Elon since his PayPal exit - and so for example I had friends over for dinner on the night of the twin Falcon landing (and more recently the crewed Dragon mission).

Please forgive my fanboyism, but now that I've read your points that you've just made, it has shed a whole new (fascinating) light on something I was already passionate about.

Incredible times we're living in.

Ad astra.

Re: SpaceX: World record number of satellites launched

#37

Post by herodoturtle »

acover wrote: post #13
Jabbles wrote: post #8

Are satellites the size of books required to have a method of self de-orbiting? Or are they in orbits that have limited lifespans?

The orbits have a 5 year life span and the satellites can deorbit. The satellites actually use propulsion to stay in their orbit! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink

So like little space drones? But way more subtle I guess. Like a mini blowtorch prodding this little thing along, and in the background, a giant view of Earth, below.

And some clouds. Children love clouds.

Re: SpaceX: World record number of satellites launched

#38

Post by gravypod »

_Microft wrote: post #20

Something that might not be obvious for people not following space flight closely: this was a launch into a polar orbit from Florida . In the past these would have launched from Vandenberg airforce base in California because there is a clear path towards the south from there. So, how is SpaceX doing that now? They are conducting a so-called „dog leg“ maneuver. This trajectory leads the rocket further out to the east…

Finally might be a way out of paying the exorbitant data charges, and obscure usage requirements, of Iridium.

Re: SpaceX: World record number of satellites launched

#39

Post by JshWright »

herodoturtle wrote: post #36
_Microft wrote: post #20

Something that might not be obvious for people not following space flight closely: this was a launch into a polar orbit from Florida . In the past these would have launched from Vandenberg airforce base in California because there is a clear path towards the south from there. So, how is SpaceX doing that now? They are conducting a so-called „dog leg“ maneuver. This trajectory leads the rocket further out to the east…

This was an incredibly insightful comment, thank you. I've been following SpaceX relatively closely; as a South African I've cheered on Elon since his PayPal exit - and so for example I had friends over for dinner on the night of the twin Falcon landing (and more recently the crewed Dragon mission). Please forgive my fanboyism, but now that I've read your points that you've just made, it has shed a whole new (fascina…

Polar launches out of Florida are not some special SpaceX magic. It has more to do with the capabilities of the Eastern Range.

Re: SpaceX: World record number of satellites launched

#40

Post by tehbeard »

_Microft wrote: post #20

Something that might not be obvious for people not following space flight closely: this was a launch into a polar orbit from Florida . In the past these would have launched from Vandenberg airforce base in California because there is a clear path towards the south from there. So, how is SpaceX doing that now? They are conducting a so-called „dog leg“ maneuver. This trajectory leads the rocket further out to the east…

> This had not been done in decades if I remember correctly.

Not in decades at the Cape, perhaps.

I can't recall exactly who (maybe India/ISRO?) Do it frequently due to dropping first stages on neighbours being a faux Pas.

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