You might soon be able to access the internet from anywhere in the world. Starlink is a technology service being developed by SpaceX, a company owned by billionaire Elon Musk, in 2015. How does Starlink work? Check out this upcoming and high-profile space internet service as we reveal more about it.




How does Starlink work?

When Starlink is fully operational, internet access will be available nearly anywhere on earth. The Starlink effort is Elon Musk's attempt to launch thousands of small satellites into low Earth orbit. By transmitting fast internet signals down to Earth, they will be able to provide fast internet for everyone on Earth.


What do the satellites look like?

There are only 573 pounds (260 kilograms) of weight in each of the satellites in the Starlink project. Approximately 60 satellites fit into one Falcon 9 rocket thanks to their flat bodies. An array of solar panels powers the satellite once it is launched into orbit. Four powerful antennas are located in the central portion of the tower for internet transmissions. To communicate with four other satellites in orbit, each satellite uses a laser system. Krypton gas is used in their ion thrusters. At these lower distances from Earth, they can stay in orbit longer.


How fast will Starlink's internet speeds be?

A low orbit will be maintained by SpaceX Starlink satellites around 350 miles above the Earth. It claims the latency should be between 25ms and 35ms as a result of that relatively short distance. Almost all internet tasks, including gaming, should be able to be completed with that speed. About 1Gbps should be possible for downloads as well. The upload speed has not yet been confirmed by SpaceX.


According to HughesNet, the company's current satellite internet service provides download speeds of up to 25Mbps. The latency speed of this system, however, is much slower, at about 600 milliseconds.


In an early beta test thread on Reddit, it has been claimed that Starlink speeds are 47Mbps to 60Mbps for download and 4.5Mbps to 17.70Mbps for upload. Although SpaceX has not confirmed these speeds, the claim remains unconfirmed. Emails from Starlink reportedly sent to possible beta testers indicated that speeds would be between 50 and 150 Mb/s, with latency between 20 and 40 ms. The emails stated that Starlink expected to improve those speeds in the months to come. As of right now, download speeds are being recorded at 150Mbps, according to a Reddit thread on download speeds.


How many satellites have been launched so far?

A SpaceX test satellite was launched in 2018 by the company. By 2019, 60 satellites would be operational for the service. Several launches are planned for each month of 2021, including the most recent in mid-November. Approximately 2,400 satellites have been launched by SpaceX as of this writing. That means SpaceX has completed its first "shell" of satellites, which is well beyond its original projection of 1,440.


How many satellites will be needed for the service?

A total of 12,000 SpaceX Starlink satellites will orbit the planet as a result of approval from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC). As a result, the stars will form a constellation in the sky called the "Starlink constellation".As many satellites as possible should be placed above Earth by SpaceX. It is estimated that there will be 42,000 satellites orbiting the Earth as part of the "Starlink constellation."

How much will Starlink internet access cost?

Starlink is reportedly inviting people to try its service in an email published by CNN. In the original email, it was stated that the ground hardware would cost $499 for a one-time fee and the internet service would cost $99 a month. Dishy McFlatface is a new dish developed by Starlink that is reportedly smaller and lighter than its predecessor. There has been an increase in the installation charge to $599, and the monthly charge is now $110.Additionally, you'll incur a $25 monthly fee if you move your Starlink satellite dish.


HughesNet's service, for example, costs up to $150 a month, yet it offers only 50GB of high-speed data (at 25Mbps) and terrible latency that impedes gaming, streaming, and so on.


Pros and Cons of Starlink?


Pros:

  • Satellite internet data is unlimited.

  • There are no cancellation fees.

  • Standard Starlink service costs only $110.00 per month.

  • HughesNet and Viasat have lower latency


Cons:

  • HughesNet and Viasat are not available nationwide.

  • The hardware fee ranges from $599.00 to $2,500.00.

  • Due to the LEO (low-Earth orbit) technology, service can be spotty.

  • Service times are long.


When will Starlink internet be available?

Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed in an April 2020 Twitter post that a private beta would begin around three months afterward. Private beta testing appears to be underway for select users, though it has not been confirmed. Public beta testing is expected to begin about six months from now, according to Musk. According to CNN, in late October, people interested in joining the service were sent an email asking them to test it out in a "Better Than Nothing Beta" test. As part of its beta test of Starlink, SpaceX had signed up 10,000 customers, according to its February 2021 filing with the Federal Communications Commission. Approximately 2021 will be the launch date for the full service.


A federal communications commission award of $856 million to SpaceX was announced in December 2020. As a result of the deal, Starlink will offer internet access to 35 states in rural parts of the country.


Where is SpaceX Starlink internet available on Earth?

The company clarified that the private beta would launch first in Canada and the northern parts of the United States. Musk stated that the private beta would first be available for people in "high latitudes."As part of his plan to monitor illegal deforestation, Elon Musk has also announced that Starlink will be deployed in the Amazon rainforest. As far as we know, Tesla will not bring Starlink to China.


Since Musk has taken over Starlink, he has refocused its efforts to assist the Ukrainian war effort. Russian efforts to scramble satellite signals are estimated to have prevented 150,000 Ukrainians from using the service each day. As a whole, approximately 250,000 people in other countries use Starlink.