SpaceX just got FCC approval to launch 7,518 satellites

Post by jordanthoms » Fri, Nov 16, 2018, 12:00 AM UTC

Denzel wrote: post #158

test6554 wrote: post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anybody who sees a ceo who plans to spend a large chunk of company profits on colonizing mars for the sake of humanity might think to themselves, "I wonder if I can start a similar company, avoid the mars colonization expenses and undercut them on price."

You misunderstand just slightly, and through no fault of your own I might add since SpaceX’s messaging is deliberately murky here. SpaceX has no plans right now to colonize Mars. In fact, they keep saying, “Look! We want other companies or nations to step up and plan for how to establish a colony. We’re only going to do it if we absolutely have no other choice.” SpaceX is truly establishing a financially viable solar…

Post by pjscott » Fri, Nov 16, 2018, 12:11 AM UTC

reaperducer wrote: post #42

Tuna-Fish wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Traditional satellite internet uses satellites in geostationary orbits, or 35,786km high above the equator. This is great because satellites in that orbit are stationary relative to the ground, so you just need a parabolic antenna pointed at a specific point in the sky to get great reception. But it's also terrible for latency because the signal takes 120ms just to get up, and another 120ms to get down. Assuming you…

SpaceX released a video about a week ago estimating that SF-London times were be around 60 ms, IIRC.

Post by andrewflnr » Fri, Nov 16, 2018, 12:15 AM UTC

pmoriarty wrote: post #141

jacquesm wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd expect the first and easy goal to be to sell high speed access to airline passengers.

I'd rather expect it to be first sold to high frequency traders. HFT firms have paid astronomical amounts to shave milliseconds off of their connection times.

Post by nugga » Fri, Nov 16, 2018, 12:31 AM UTC

creeble wrote: post #22

Curious how this will pan out. It's a shocking contrast to be in or near a city and have broadband speeds, and then be just a few dozen miles outside one and have... literally nothing. I just loaned my Iridium phone to a friend who was going to the jungle, and although he was able to make the data connection work, even doing email at 2400 baud(!) proved useless. Inmarsat is faster, but vastly more expensive. Outside…

Post by craftyguy » Fri, Nov 16, 2018, 12:38 AM UTC

stcredzero wrote: post #155

Rebelgecko wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can build GPS (well, a GNSS would be more accurate) system without atomic clocks. One way to do so requires user equipment that can transmit back to the satellites, but that will already be the case for SpaceX's customers. You can also use Doppler measurements to get your location, although this tends to be less accurate, especially if you're moving quickly

You can also use Doppler measurements to get your location, although this tends to be less accurate, especially if you're moving quickly There would still be a market for lower cost lower resolution location.