Live data from Hacker News

Starlink is now on all seven continents, enabled by its space laser network

twitter.com

91–100 of 209 posts

Re: Starlink is now on all seven continents, enabled by its space laser network

#91
post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Eh, it depends on who "you" are. I'm pretty sure the USAF can use them on all seven continents. Meanwhile I, not having a contract, can't use them on any continent.

Quoted post unavailable.

You come across quite poorly in this exchange.

Re: Starlink is now on all seven continents, enabled by its space laser network

#92
post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What would be banned are the dishes. China doesn’t need to send a missile to LEO (which would be unnecessarily costly for them).

China has previously demonstrated anti-satellite weapons multiple times just to demonstrate they have them (and maybe make sure they work), I doubt they'd be that worried about the cost to demonstrate that they mean it and are willing to use them.

Russia has done the same demonstration last year [1]. And yet they have not destroyed starlink, even though SpaceX donated many dishes to Ukraine[2].

So there still seems to be some restraint around the concept of shooting down foreign satellites. I guess it's a "mutual assured destruction" type situation: once you shoot down a satellite, you'd better be prepared to lose your own.

[1] https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_188780.htm

[2] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/22/elon-musk-spacex-thousands-o...

Re: Starlink is now on all seven continents, enabled by its space laser network

#93
post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Neither could destroy SpaceX satellites as fast as they can be launched. No State can. The issue would be whether they could cause enough damage to make the orbital plane (temporarily) unusable.

They have directed energy weapons that could probably destroy individual satellites one at a time faster than they could be launched.

Who does? I think there's a [citation needed] for this claim.

Re: Starlink is now on all seven continents, enabled by its space laser network

#94
post #45
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure, but how do you propose to "blanket" China with Starlink modems?

I'm sure there are plenty of ingenious smugglers in China.

Most of the things they smuggle probably aren't intended to go on your roof where all the neighbors can see, though.

Re: Starlink is now on all seven continents, enabled by its space laser network

#95

According to their coverage map ( https://www.starlink.com/map ) there is no coverage in Africa nor Asia, unless I'm missing something obvious. Or if there are new continents I'm not aware of.

> Or if there are new continents I'm not aware of.

Antarctica. Thank you for this.

Re: Starlink is now on all seven continents, enabled by its space laser network

#97

How about providing free internet to China and Russia, to give the people there proper information without government oversight?

Satellite terminals can become targets as soon as they turn on their uplink transmitter (and possibly even in receive-only mode unless their IF oscillator is perfectly shielded, which it probably isn't). This is why Musk tweeted to Ukrainian users "Turn on Starlink only when needed and place antenna as far away from people as possible." [0]

[0] https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-is-using-elon-musks-starlink-f...

Re: Starlink is now on all seven continents, enabled by its space laser network

#98
post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Eh, it depends on who "you" are. I'm pretty sure the USAF can use them on all seven continents. Meanwhile I, not having a contract, can't use them on any continent.

Quoted post unavailable.

If someone can use it on all 7 continents, I'd say that it's available to use on all 7 continents. If you can't use it on all 7, I suggest you keep offering more money until you can.

Re: Starlink is now on all seven continents, enabled by its space laser network

#99
post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Quoted post unavailable.

What, exactly, is unrealistic about lasers?

The trick is aiming the lasers accurately enough, but that's merely a challenging engineering problem. With their experience and track record, there's no reason to think SpaceX can't/haven't managed it.

With Elon Musk companies you need to be wary of claimed intentions and future plans, because exaggerations and lies abound in those domains. Don't hold your breath for FSD or Mars colonies. But when SpaceX claims they've already accomplished something, they're almost certainly telling the truth about it.

Re: Starlink is now on all seven continents, enabled by its space laser network

#100
post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A new ice bucket challenge.

There's a 300 degree club at the south pole. Strip, jump in 200 degF water, then run outside around the building where it's -100 degF.

I was skeptical that 200F water would not cause almost immediate damage.

Turns out this challenge involves a 200F sauna, so 200F air, not water.

Post reply on HN