SpaceX wants to launch 100k more Starlink satellites for 100x the bandwidth

Post by stingraycharles » Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 3:06 PM UTC

dtagames wrote: post #660

stingraycharles wrote: post #376

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Eh, I think the economics of rural areas play a role as well, and this “wasteful” way is actually very well suited for serving that long tail.

But the long tail isn't served. The reality of your statement turns out to be that, if there aren't enough customers to justify an expensive tower or wire, no service will be provided at all.

Post by inemesitaffia » Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 3:10 PM UTC

dtagames wrote: post #659

jillesvangurp wrote: post #425

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The star link network is actually remarkably cost effective in getting internet access to rural areas. There's a reason that these areas still have poor connectivity: it's just not cost effective for anyone to build land based infrastructure there. SpaceX spend a few billions on StarLink. But if you look at how much network operators have spent over the years on cables, base stations, etc. it's not all that much for…

It occurred to me after reading the original story that if space based internet gets fast enough, we'll stop using any other kind for most purposes. That means, as a platform, SpaceX could carry a significant amount of the entire world's internet traffic. No wonder Elon is interested.

Post by inemesitaffia » Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 3:15 PM UTC

gordonhart wrote: post #647

esperent wrote: post #525

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's an American company polluting the night sky for the entire world, for a service that will ultimately be access gated by the US government/private industry. That's where the negative sentiment is coming from. Who cares which of the many equally shitty US billionaires/oligarchs is funding it?

Do you feel the same way about Guowang and Qianfan, two very real very large constellations notably not funded by US billionaires?

Post by inemesitaffia » Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 3:17 PM UTC

ozgrakkurt wrote: post #384

It is incredibly stupid that this is happening instead of doing regular cable which works better and is cheaper

Post by ben_w » Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 3:20 PM UTC

leetbulb wrote: post #710

ben_w wrote: post #532

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Their brightness is a mixture of a lot of things, including the huge PV arrays and the angle they have with the sun when they cross the terminator between night and day. Starlink have already put a lot of effort into their satellites being much less bright than most satellites, including tilting their PV away from earth during the terminator crossing, so from what I've read you'll mainly see them while they're being…

I watch them come up over the horizon right after sunset. Only a couple specific trajectories are visible and they disappear pretty quick. Later on in to a clear night and after your eyes adjust to the darkness, you can find them all over the sky. They look like very faint stars speeding around. It's quite spectacular and hunting them makes for a fun activity with others while relaxing in a hot tub.