He needs 7000 to build his network...at this rate he will need 109 more SUCCESSFUL launches.
He needs 7000 to build his network...at this rate he will need 109 more SUCCESSFUL launches.
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The network can make money with a fraction of that number, and Starship will be able to launch hundreds at a time.
Various sources say minimal Internet coverage to start with 400 satellites (already enough, tests are underway). “medium” speeds with 800 satellites. Eventually, thousands.... offering coverage to the entire earth, oceans and all...
That’s for the entire global network. As many US Telcos, SiriusXM, DirecTV/Dish and others can tell you, you don’t need to have the entire global network up to make money off it.
Also, Starlink satellites are cheap.
7000 is for global coverage. Spacex already has confirmed that north America service will be in final beta test with 12 launches total for 720 birds this was the 8th launch they only need 4 more to offer service to most of north America they got approval for 22 gateways and 18 are already up and running. Elon has used the network to tweet with it. The air force recently tested it on a C130 at 600+mbits/sec and I believe an F35 in flight. This is a drone control network par excellence Ku and V band antennas with military grade phased arrays will be under 30cm in diameter totally flat or can be curved to an radius for conforming to a upper fuselage. The military doesn’t have a price limit on antenna technology they will use $30,000+ systems that civilians could only dream of.
I'm wondering if he has enough up yet to start offering limited service to select customers, like ships at sea?
https://www.satelliteinternet.com/providers/starlink/
the SpaceX LEO satellite internet service, dubbed Starlink, is set to launch a private beta sometime in July. If the private beta goes off without a hitch, a public beta could start as soon as November 2020.