Starlink

[Gale Hawkins]

That article was written 10/22/19. "SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell said on Tuesday. "Right now we're just testing the capability and figuring out how to make it work.""

The Starlink project has progressed dramatically in the past year. It is not a military project. Its mission is to bring Internet access to 4 billion people on Earth who currently have no access.

I was thinking like you about Starlink until a year ago. I kept asking myself how does a company get the FCC approval for 12,000 satellites and now have the FCC applying for frequencies for another 30,000 satellites with influential science people complaining about the first batch launched. When the military connection from over two years ago came to my attention then the light bulb on the subject started shining like a Starlink satellite. With a $19M government check in hand it makes private investors feel more secure. SpaceX is saving the USA tax payers billions already.

SpaceX's Starlink eyed by US military as co. raises $5-75M for development

https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1718270/

"Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Hawthorne, California, has been awarded a $28,713,994 competitive, firm-fixed-price, other transaction agreement for experimentation per the advanced research announcement, FA8650-17-S-9300. This agreement allows for experimentation in the areas of establishing connectivity, operational experimentation, and special purpose experimentation. Experimentation will include connectivity demonstrations to Air Force ground sites and aircraft for experimental purposes. For the proposed Phase 2, the awardee proposes to perform experiments in two other key areas: early versions of a commercial space-to-space data relay service and mobile connectivity directly from space to aircraft. Work will be performed in Hawthorne, California, and is expected to be completed by June 18, 2021. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $19,167,989 will be obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-9-9320). (Awarded Dec. 19, 2018)"

SpaceX submits paperwork for 3, more Starlink satellites - SpaceNews

"The FCC, on SpaceX’s behalf, submitted 20 filings to the ITU for 1,500 satellites apiece in various low Earth orbits, an ITU official confirmed Oct. 15 to SpaceNews."

27 Chinese anti-satellite missile test - Wikipedia).

"On 11 January 2007, China conducted an anti-satellite missile test. A Chinese weather satellite—the FY-1C polar orbit satellite of the Fengyun series, at an altitude of 865 kilometres (537 mi), with a mass of 750 kg[1]—was destroyed by a kinetic kill vehicle traveling with a speed of 8 km/s in the opposite direction[2] (see Head-on engagement). It was launched with a multistage solid-fuel missile from Xichang Satellite Launch Center or nearby."

Every since this event the free world has been aware in a pre war event they could loose a number of critical military satellites. With the allied military having access to 42,000 low orbit communication satellites naturally they would feel more secure. After the attacking bases were neutralized the network of satellites could be back in service soon I expect one way or another. I expect the speed of Starlink was determined more by the needs of military gamers than civilian gamers.

 

[rekees4300]

Okay thanks for the info Gale. I didn't know there was any military involvement but can understand why the military is interested. To clarify, when I said "It is not a military project" I meant it is being created by a private company called SpaceX and not by the DOD.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Okay thanks for the info Gale. I didn't know there was any military involvement but can understand why the military is interested. To clarify, when I said "It is not a military project" I meant it is being created by a private company called SpaceX and not by the DOD.

That is true that SpaceX is just a private company biding on DOD contracts. Thankfully SpaceX won a contract just as they were running out cash a few years ago. Many do not grasp what Elon Musk is doing to save USA tax payers millions of tax dollars. Below are some links that I ran across this morning that may be of interest to a few but not to the masses.

RAW Elon Musk Interview from Air Warfare Symposium 2 - YouTube
RAW Elon Musk Interview from Air Warfare Symposium 2020
His remarks on China I expect are based on his own research.

SpaceX deorbits dozens of Starlink satellite prototypes

SpaceX Signs Military Contract to Build Weapon-Delivering Rockets | Observer

SpaceX will launch a classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnai

 

[rekees4300]

Elon Musk's mission is to prevent the extinction of the human race by becoming an interplanetary civilization. He knows we have all our eggs in one basket and it's just a matter of time before that basket fails. Starlink is being created to help fund the migration to Mars. That's a truly noble goal that deserves our support. :thumbsup:

The the root mission of Starlink is to fund migration to Mars. Elon Musk knows it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when the Earth becomes uninhabitable.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

The the root mission of Starlink is to fund migration to Mars. Elon Musk knows it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when the Earth becomes uninhabitable.

Yes and Tesla as well. EV's are going to be Mars mobility system. Many belief systems calls for life on Earth to end. Many civilizations have come and disappeared over the eons of time.

I have given up on knowing the future because of BS I was taught as a kid. When I was in the 3rd grade I told my teacher in front of the entire class that dinosaurs never existed because they were not mentioned in the bible.

Today I am making a focused effort to be around with my eyes and mind intact in 2050 to witness Elon Musk broadcasting a podcast from Mars.

I find history from the steam engine forward very interesting as in how invention after invention boot strapped civilization forward. I missed what Henry Ford did for transportation and farming and came close to missing the advances from Elon Musk and company.

Starlink has a real shot of getting info world wide. I just hope it is not used to prove dinosaurs never existed.

 

[kcflhrc]

Man, this thread got weird

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Remote tribe says SpaceX Starlink “catapulted” them into 21st century | Ars Technica

 

[rekees4300]

Man, this thread got weird

I'm the OP. Why is it "weird"? Granted not all of the posts are about Starlink per se but most are.

adjective
Definition of weird (Entry 1 of 2)
1 : of strange or extraordinary character : odd, fantastic
2 : of, relating to, or caused by witchcraft or the supernatural : magical

noun
Definition of weird (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : fate, destiny especially : ill fortune
2 : soothsayer

 

[Diggin It]

I'm the OP. Why is it "weird"?

Definition of weird (Entry 1 of 2)
1 : of strange or extraordinary character : odd, fantastic

I think Martian dinosaurs fits that.

 

[Mat4644]

Maybe this has already been mentioned. Verizon is expanding rural coverage and offers $40 or $60 unlimited internet. Sprint has $50 for 50gb plan and is also expanding coverage. No additional charges for going over and so far hasn't slowed down for us. Sat services hard sell if expansion continues.

 

[rekees4300]

Maybe this has already been mentioned. Verizon is expanding rural coverage and offers $40 or $60 unlimited internet. Sprint has $50 for 50gb plan and is also expanding coverage. No additional charges for going over and so far hasn't slowed down for us. Sat services hard sell if expansion continues.

It's called competition. IMO it's Verizon, Sprint, and many other ISPs that are going to be the "hard sell" if Starlink is successful. Isn't it interesting they are offering better deals now that Starlink is near operational?

 

[/pine]

Obviously some are not seeing the big picture...If there were not areas/regions that have no sources for truly high speed connections (i.e., fiber)...there would be no real need for services like Starlink....If Starlink can live up to it's expectations they will have little real competition in said areas/regions...

 

[Diggin It]

Fixed Wireless like Cell service can expand coverage to places not feasible for copper or fiber to the home, but there still has to be a way for the towers to be powered and link up. There are a LOT of homes in my county that are 'too far' for copper/DSL, but could easily get service by fixed wireless.

One problem with former satellite services including TV was/is 'dark spots' in valleys or the backside of mountains that couldn't get line of sight to the birds. I haven't heard if this will be reduced or eliminated.

 

[/pine]

Fixed Wireless like Cell service can expand coverage to places not feasible for copper or fiber to the home, but there still has to be a way for the towers to be powered and link up. There are a LOT of homes in my county that are 'too far' for copper/DSL, but could easily get service by fixed wireless.

One problem with former satellite services including TV was/is 'dark spots' in valleys or the backside of mountains that couldn't get line of sight to the birds. I haven't heard if this will be reduced or eliminated.

It's not economically feasible to even build towers where the critical mass of paying customers can't support the expense...

IIRC...the existing older satellite services use high orbit satellites and are limited in numbers...Starlink satellites are many and in low earth orbits...this is what separates them from older services with severe latency issues...

??

 

[rekees4300]

One problem with former satellite services including TV was/is 'dark spots' in valleys or the backside of mountains that couldn't get line of sight to the birds. I haven't heard if this will be reduced or eliminated.

The "UFO on a stick" doesn't move but can electrically change its reception angle to align with the satellites. How it will interact with trees, buildings, hills, etc. has yet to be determined. That is a big, fundamental question that hopefully will be answered by the public beta test and then communicated to prospective customers.

 

[LouNY]

Fixed Wireless like Cell service can expand coverage to places not feasible for copper or fiber to the home, but there still has to be a way for the towers to be powered and link up. There are a LOT of homes in my county that are 'too far' for copper/DSL, but could easily get service by fixed wireless.

One problem with former satellite services including TV was/is 'dark spots' in valleys or the backside of mountains that couldn't get line of sight to the birds. I haven't heard if this will be reduced or eliminated.

Fixed wireless is what I have and have had for close to 20 years,
it has a hard time living up to its promises.
As a matter of fact it usually falls short.
It is also a line of site service so the wrong side of a hill or forest guess what, no go.

 

[Mat4644]

Obviously some are not seeing the big picture...If there were not areas/regions that have no sources for truly high speed connections (i.e., fiber)...there would be no real need for services like Starlink....If Starlink can live up to it's expectations they will have little real competition in said areas/regions...

True but the numbers and size of the Sat only access areas are shrinking. Rural wireless is growing and 5G soon. Such as my area recently. Starlinks market is shrinking unless cost is minimal vs wireless.

 

[Diggin It]

^^ I see the US as a testbed. How much of Canada, Mexico, South America and beyond is open to them?

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Obviously some are not seeing the big picture...If there were not areas/regions that have no sources for truly high speed connections (i.e., fiber)...there would be no real need for services like Starlink....If Starlink can live up to it's expectations they will have little real competition in said areas/regions...

Yes and if they were to be able to provide satellite phone service that would be the icing on the cake. Since we have a new roof and heat/air system needs coming up we are hoping to get a new Tesla roof and heating/air so we can charge the $25K Tesla car when they start shipping.

Fed dollars for traditional fiber optics, etc may dry up if Starlink works well without any capital cost to the utility companies.

 

[kcflhrc]

Lot's of what if's with Starlink at this point. As far as speed and reliability there is no current replacement for fiber and honestly I can't foresee anything competing with fiber in the near future. Anything wireless is going to have more issues than a fiber connection as long as you can keep the idiots from cutting it. The amount of data you can push down a single piece of glass is truly mind boggling.