turbopilot
RVF Supporter
I have posted frequently about the disruptive technology coming very soon to deliver internet data services to homes and mobile platforms. Very soon (we hope) dealing with Verizon and ATT using what is now very dated cellular technology will be a distant nightmare.
Elon Musk's SpaceX has just launched another 60 StarLink satellites into orbit. Including the two prototype satellites there are now 182 StarLink satellites in orbit. Each launch of a Falcon 9 injects 60 new satellites into orbit. Starlink needs 8 launches (480 satellites) to get the system operational in North America, a goal they hope to reach this year having launched 3 all ready. For global coverage the need 24 launches (1,440 satellites). After the initial 1,440 satellites are launched all additional satellites will allow more capacity. Right now SpaceX is approved to launch 12,000 satellites and is seeking permission to launch 30,000 or more satellites in the future.
This system will not be like Iridium or cellular services. In order to use StarLink you will need a user terminal (also under development by SpaceX). The user terminal consists of a flat panel phased array antenna and a modem box. The US military is actively testing StarLink and has demonstrated download speeds to a moving airplane at 610 megabits/sec. SpaceX has not confirmed pricing but there is some suggestion it could be around $100/month for the service.
So keep watching the news and keep track of how many successful launches take place. With any luck by the end of the year we may have super fast internet in our coaches everywhere you have a clear view of the sky. Hopefully the phase array flat panel antenna with be small enough to easily move it back and forth between a coach and a fixed home. With luck they will have SIM card authorization allowing moving between fixed installation in a coach or a house.
Elon Musk's SpaceX has just launched another 60 StarLink satellites into orbit. Including the two prototype satellites there are now 182 StarLink satellites in orbit. Each launch of a Falcon 9 injects 60 new satellites into orbit. Starlink needs 8 launches (480 satellites) to get the system operational in North America, a goal they hope to reach this year having launched 3 all ready. For global coverage the need 24 launches (1,440 satellites). After the initial 1,440 satellites are launched all additional satellites will allow more capacity. Right now SpaceX is approved to launch 12,000 satellites and is seeking permission to launch 30,000 or more satellites in the future.
This system will not be like Iridium or cellular services. In order to use StarLink you will need a user terminal (also under development by SpaceX). The user terminal consists of a flat panel phased array antenna and a modem box. The US military is actively testing StarLink and has demonstrated download speeds to a moving airplane at 610 megabits/sec. SpaceX has not confirmed pricing but there is some suggestion it could be around $100/month for the service.
So keep watching the news and keep track of how many successful launches take place. With any luck by the end of the year we may have super fast internet in our coaches everywhere you have a clear view of the sky. Hopefully the phase array flat panel antenna with be small enough to easily move it back and forth between a coach and a fixed home. With luck they will have SIM card authorization allowing moving between fixed installation in a coach or a house.