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

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

#171

Post by randyrand »

capableweb wrote: post #63
mchusma wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is availability for purchase map, not coverage.

What is the difference? If I pick an address in Africa, it tells me "Service date is unknown at this time", does that mean they have coverage there but I cannot purchase it if I live there? So I could, if I live in Africa, buy it and send it to an address in Europe, go pick it up and then use it from my home in Africa?

The difference is pretty big!

Without coverage, no one can use Starlink.

If there is coverage, state governments can allow Starlink usage.

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

#172

Post by _joel »

chrisjc wrote: post #12

I thought that laser connectivity wasn't going to be available until V2 of the satellite went in to operation/orbit, and that's not going to happen until SpaceX gets Starship or the modified Falcon off the ground?

I very much doubt v2 will be on F9, they're much bigger so the 47 they can fly now will drop significantly (if it can even fit in the extended fairing, I'm not sure it can).

They've got a 'pez dispenser' already worked out too for starship, just need to light that candle now. Ramped up testing again last week so I'm hoping it'll be soon (said that 12 months ago)

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

#173

Post by _joel »

matco11 wrote: post #130

Perhaps, this is a message to Apple …Availability on all continents might be a requirement to qualify as a provider for satellite emergency services like the one Apple will soon offer with iPhone 14 Pro

They're already doing that with the T-Mobile deal announced recently.

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

#174

Post by _joel »

dantondwa wrote: post #115

I don't like Starlink. It increases light pollution, even in places without much human activity, which is a disaster for astronomers. Moreover, sending satellites to space is really inefficient. It wastes a lot of energy and pollutes a lot. To increase coverage, the amount of satellite they'll need will be more and more. And the skies will become more and more full of space junk (each satellite lives for 7 years). I…

What solutions?

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

#175

Post by _joel »

wmf wrote: post #68
dylan604 wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean, they kind of are, right? If the Chinese and Russian people came up with their own gear to receive/send compatible signals with the signal, then they could use it. Of course, authorized accounts would probably be problematic. Getting Starlink branded gear to use will also be hard in those countries.

No, they could not use it. I'm pretty sure the satellites turn off their transmitters and receivers when passing over unlicensed countries (if for no other reason than to save power).

They definitely turn off when passing over areas where there are radio telescopes, which was a bigger problem to astronomers than light reflections

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

#176

Post by _joel »

dylan604 wrote: post #71
wmf wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, they could not use it. I'm pretty sure the satellites turn off their transmitters and receivers when passing over unlicensed countries (if for no other reason than to save power).

that's just a software update though if Starlink so chooses to do so. they cost like $0.50 a piece, so if Putin wants to spend money effort to take a couple out to prove whatever point, then it costs them much much more than it does starlink. and at the rate they are getting launched, it won't be a very long lasting worthless accomplishment

They make a loss on the terminals.

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

#177

Post by guardiangod »

_joel wrote: post #172
chrisjc wrote: post #12

I thought that laser connectivity wasn't going to be available until V2 of the satellite went in to operation/orbit, and that's not going to happen until SpaceX gets Starship or the modified Falcon off the ground?

I very much doubt v2 will be on F9, they're much bigger so the 47 they can fly now will drop significantly (if it can even fit in the extended fairing, I'm not sure it can). They've got a 'pez dispenser' already worked out too for starship, just need to light that candle now. Ramped up testing again last week so I'm hoping it'll be soon (said that 12 months ago)

No need to doubt.

https://spacenews.com/spacex-adds-falcon-9-back-to-second-ge...

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

#178

Post by _joel »

guardiangod wrote: post #177
_joel wrote: post #172

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I very much doubt v2 will be on F9, they're much bigger so the 47 they can fly now will drop significantly (if it can even fit in the extended fairing, I'm not sure it can). They've got a 'pez dispenser' already worked out too for starship, just need to light that candle now. Ramped up testing again last week so I'm hoping it'll be soon (said that 12 months ago)

No need to doubt. https://spacenews.com/spacex-adds-falcon-9-back-to-second-ge...

I mean, I know they've been taking the financial hit for the starlink launches as they ramp up the subscriber base, but this seems really ineffective.

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

#179

Post by mensetmanusman »

minhazm wrote: post #75
deelowe wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's the plan, but it's an unimaginably difficult task. Many have speculated they wouldn't be able to pull it off at scale.

Forgive my ignorance but I don't understand why it's an unimaginably difficult task. The satellites are operating in a vacuum with no weather interference or anything and have line of sight to each other. I would think that it should actually be easy to pull off, and actually should get easier at scale since the distances between individual satellites would shrink and would be easier to align the laser links.

Mirror tracking is hard. Low orbit stuff etches everything plastic with oxygen.

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

#180

Post by dylan604 »

_joel wrote: post #176
dylan604 wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

that's just a software update though if Starlink so chooses to do so. they cost like $0.50 a piece, so if Putin wants to spend money effort to take a couple out to prove whatever point, then it costs them much much more than it does starlink. and at the rate they are getting launched, it won't be a very long lasting worthless accomplishment

They make a loss on the terminals.

I'm not worried about Starlink's bottom line. I'm just guessing that China would want Chinese hardware. Not sure what type of export restrictions this type of hardware would have applied to it related to these 2 countries.

I was just implying that I'm guessing getting actual Starlink hardware through legit channels is probably not something that will be available.

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