SpaceX launching 60 Starlink Sats Tomorrow!

[WingRyder]

https://www.space.com/spacex-starlin...ion-photo.html

Tomorrow will be the first many launches to get Starlink up and running. This could be a game changers for global internet coverage.

[Brian.D]

Don't we have enough junk up there right now? Eventually, what goes up...

[WingRyder]

Originally Posted by Brian.D

Don't we have enough junk up there right now? Eventually, what goes up...

Actually, they already thought of that. These are launched in a very low orbit. When they quit working they will deorbit in something lime 6 mos.

Anyway, I am curious what cruisers think of the prosepect of global wifi, and the fact that SpaceX / starlink is making that happen, starting tomorrow night

[redneckrob]

Originally Posted by Brian.D

Don't we have enough junk up there right now? Eventually, what goes up...

There's a great thread on hitting floating containers, maybe you can consolidate one giant "worry about absurdly improbable events" thread. Just make sure to put on sunscreen, the sun WILL kill you given a chance!

[Pizzazz]

There are multiple constellations going up, including Starlink, Oneweb, and a few others. All are sons of the famed Teledesic project from 20 years ago. At least two should manage to complete their constellations, offering cable quality broadband across the world. Pricing is unclear but I would say it should be competitive with land based offerings. One way to think about this is that Iridium was the 2G equivalent, Iridium Certus is the 3G equivalent and the new constellations will be the 4G equivalent. I still like my SSB radio but I can see the writing on the wall.

[GordMay]

The first group of up to 1,584 Starlink satellites will operate in orbits 341 miles (550 kilometers) above Earth, at an inclination of 53 degrees to the equator.
SpaceX plans to initially deploy roughly 4,400 Starlink satellites broadcasting signals in Ku-band and Ka-band. A follow-on network of 7,518 additional Starlink satellites would transmit in V-band frequencies, according to regulatory filings with the Federal Communications Commission.
By comparison:
The 66 Iridium Satellites are in low Earth orbit at a height of approximately 485 mi (781 km) and inclination of 86.4°.
The ISS maintains an orbit with an altitude of between 205 and 270 mi.

[sailingunity]

The main advantage of the lower orbit is low latency, which is the killer of bandwidth. Also they plan to use lasers to bounce signals between the satellites. Personally I'm looking forward to it, simply for the prospect that it will allow me to work remotely - very remotely!

[Seasic]

So your saying when the thing talks to the whatcha macallit over the widget it will be better!!

And you thought I wasn't listening...

[navysurfer]

The faster I can receive weather info the safer I will be, the ability to know the kids are ok is priceless in my book. I am a old fart, but thought the Jestons cartoons would be reality by now, come on kids get with it.

Capt Crabby,,

[spiv]

Looking forward to the pricing of it!!

[Pole]

We've waited long enough! Imagine being somewhere really remote getting weather and news from home - I think it'll be great. For those who want to be permanently face-in-phone and surfing the web non-stop - maybe this sailing thing isn't for you?

[Midnight Son]

One satellite de-orbiting every six months? Hmm. Extra reason to stay away from Point Nemo.
Cheers

[alansmith]

With such a short service life for the individual satellites ( 6 months) how can a reasonable price be achieved for the end users? I’m all for the ability to maintain communications in remote places. I’m just not able to understand how the math works out for high tech abilities with expensive hardware’s short Servixe life.

[Training Wheels]

Think that it’s 6 months after they stop working they fall out of orbit, not that they only work for 6 months.

[David M]

How much per minute?