May 27, 2019 at 07:04How Starlink from SpaceX Has Changed
Time is running fast. It seems that yesterday we were astonished at SpaceX's over-ambitious plans to launch 12,000 satellites into orbit, and now the news of the week is the launch of the first sixty satellites. The project has changed in some ways, and, in my opinion, it is interesting to compare the current state with those plans that excited the public in 2016 and 2017.
Starlink satellites on the dispenser, SpaceX photo
First of all, the physical characteristics of the satellites themselves have changed. In the 2016 application, their weight was indicated as 386 kg, and dimensions (without solar panels) - 4x1.8x1.2 meters. As a result, according to approximate calculations, one Falcon 9 launch vehicle could launch about 23 satellites by mass, and in total around area 8 it would fit under the fairing. Test MicroSat-2A / B had a mass of approximately 400 kg and a size of 1x0.7x0.7 meters, but, due to their experimental nature, this did not mean anything. So, when on May 12 a photo of the fairing appeared on Mask's Twitter, under which 60 flat satellites fit, this was a big surprise.
Satellites on the dispenser, SpaceX photo
The mass of vehicles that went into orbit turned out to be equal to 227 kg, and the size can be estimated by the diameter of the fairing as approximately 2.4x1 meters. Such an engineering feint noticeably facilitates the launch task, but it will be interesting someday to read (so far this data has not been published) what processes SpaceX uses in their production. Until now, the satellite remains a device, the final assembly of which is relatively slow and mostly manual. And each device must be subjected to lengthy and rigorous tests, which also takes time and resources.
Disclosure of solar panels, SpaceX animation
The design of the satellites, unfortunately, was not disclosed, so we will not be able to assess how much it has changed. But at least one fact can be established. In the original application of 2016, two 6x2 meter solar panels were mentioned in the open state, and for launched Starlink satellites it has one, but of a comparable area (12 sections with a length of about 2.4 m and a width of less than a meter). But phased antennas for communication with subscribers were mentioned in the original application, so nothing has changed here.
A curious story happened with orbital parameters. In the original application, an orbit with a height of 1150-1325 km was featured. And, when the experimental MicroSat-2A / B flew in the spring of 2018, it was expected that they would increase their orbit from 511 km to 1125, and this was even confirmed by the plans that SpaceX sent to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) shortly before launch. However, both satellites remained in their original orbit, which caused talk about their failure. SpaceX officially denied this, and soon a new letter to the FCC appeared, saying that the altitude of 500 km gives new opportunities, simplifies the design and reduces signal delay, so that the satellites remain on it. As a result, the fact that the first Starlink satellites were put into orbit of 440 km and will rise to the target of 550 km was, in general, expected.
Another difference is that the experimental vehicles were launched into polar orbit, while the first production ones were launched into orbit with an inclination of only 53 °. The application of November 2018 indicates that from this inclination, satellites will be able to serve subscribers up to approximately 57 latitudes, and those higher will be provided with satellites in polar orbits, the number of which is not specified - all 1,584 satellites, according to the application, will have to operate in orbit inclination of 53 °. It seems that Starlink's interest has so far focused on clients no higher than 57 latitudes.
Starlink Satellite Division, Launch Broadcast Images
The most dramatic number, the number of devices in the group, has also undergone changes. After the FCC sent applications for mega-groups of hundreds and thousands of satellites, the commission asked a reasonable question: “what if these gentlemen just want to stake out the frequency and orbital ranges without deploying the constellation in the foreseeable time?” and introduced a nine-year restriction - at least half of the grouping needs to be deployed within six, and the rest should be launched for the remaining three, otherwise the application will be canceled and the number of satellites will be frozen on the already launched one. The clear deadline has had a healthy effect on the industry - SpaceX has not formally abandoned plans to launch some 12,000 satellites, but actually plans only 1584 so far. And by the end of the year at least two more and a maximum of six launches are expected, depending on
ThinKom Phased Array Antennas, photo ThinKom Little
is still known about ground stations that will communicate with satellites. Contrary to the persistent myth, it will not work to get Internet from Starlink from ordinary phones. And it is precisely the management of the import of communications equipment, and not the “jamming of satellites,” that will allow countries, if they wish, to control their Internet markets. In a recent interview, Musk only said that the ground station would use a phased array antenna the size of a pizza box. Such a station can theoretically be put on a car, but the question rests on the price, which is not yet called. In general, it is worth noting that antennas with HEADLIGHTS are already found on ships and aircraft, but have not yet spread to the consumer electronics market.
It's also funny that the myth of free “SpaceX Internet” is still alive. Starlink is a commercial project, and in a recent interview, Musk said that the system will be able to work with 800 satellites, and it will become competitive with about 1000. Specific prices and tariff plans have not yet been announced. So if you suddenly see something like “FREE SPACEX STARLINK” in the list of Wi-Fi networks, then these are jokers at best, and at worst banal scammers.
The ambitious Starlink project does not come to an empty market - wired Internet has already spread widely on the surface, and they are planning to introduce 5G for mobile. For remote subscribers with little traffic there is Iridium, Globalstar, Orbcomm or even the domestic “Messenger”. And in parallel, the Starlink-like OneWeb project has already started launching its satellites. So it’s almost impossible to predict the future of Starlink, but at least it’s known for sure that it will be interesting to watch.
Speaking of observations. While the satellites fly in a group, a strip of bright dots looks pretty in the sky. Amateur astronomers and astrophotographers have been watching it since launch. Personally, the strip seemed to me noticeable only with side vision, but on the network you can find beautiful photos, videos and animations. And you can find out when the “train” Starlink flies over you, for example, here or here .
A small announcement: May 30 - June 1 I will be in St. Petersburg, 30 I will read the lecture "Tales of the Apollo program" ( register here), then I will be on SQADays-25.
Starlink satellites on the dispenser, SpaceX photo
First of all, the physical characteristics of the satellites themselves have changed. In the 2016 application, their weight was indicated as 386 kg, and dimensions (without solar panels) - 4x1.8x1.2 meters. As a result, according to approximate calculations, one Falcon 9 launch vehicle could launch about 23 satellites by mass, and in total around area 8 it would fit under the fairing. Test MicroSat-2A / B had a mass of approximately 400 kg and a size of 1x0.7x0.7 meters, but, due to their experimental nature, this did not mean anything. So, when on May 12 a photo of the fairing appeared on Mask's Twitter, under which 60 flat satellites fit, this was a big surprise.
Satellites on the dispenser, SpaceX photo
The mass of vehicles that went into orbit turned out to be equal to 227 kg, and the size can be estimated by the diameter of the fairing as approximately 2.4x1 meters. Such an engineering feint noticeably facilitates the launch task, but it will be interesting someday to read (so far this data has not been published) what processes SpaceX uses in their production. Until now, the satellite remains a device, the final assembly of which is relatively slow and mostly manual. And each device must be subjected to lengthy and rigorous tests, which also takes time and resources.
Disclosure of solar panels, SpaceX animation
The design of the satellites, unfortunately, was not disclosed, so we will not be able to assess how much it has changed. But at least one fact can be established. In the original application of 2016, two 6x2 meter solar panels were mentioned in the open state, and for launched Starlink satellites it has one, but of a comparable area (12 sections with a length of about 2.4 m and a width of less than a meter). But phased antennas for communication with subscribers were mentioned in the original application, so nothing has changed here.
A curious story happened with orbital parameters. In the original application, an orbit with a height of 1150-1325 km was featured. And, when the experimental MicroSat-2A / B flew in the spring of 2018, it was expected that they would increase their orbit from 511 km to 1125, and this was even confirmed by the plans that SpaceX sent to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) shortly before launch. However, both satellites remained in their original orbit, which caused talk about their failure. SpaceX officially denied this, and soon a new letter to the FCC appeared, saying that the altitude of 500 km gives new opportunities, simplifies the design and reduces signal delay, so that the satellites remain on it. As a result, the fact that the first Starlink satellites were put into orbit of 440 km and will rise to the target of 550 km was, in general, expected.
Another difference is that the experimental vehicles were launched into polar orbit, while the first production ones were launched into orbit with an inclination of only 53 °. The application of November 2018 indicates that from this inclination, satellites will be able to serve subscribers up to approximately 57 latitudes, and those higher will be provided with satellites in polar orbits, the number of which is not specified - all 1,584 satellites, according to the application, will have to operate in orbit inclination of 53 °. It seems that Starlink's interest has so far focused on clients no higher than 57 latitudes.
Starlink Satellite Division, Launch Broadcast Images
The most dramatic number, the number of devices in the group, has also undergone changes. After the FCC sent applications for mega-groups of hundreds and thousands of satellites, the commission asked a reasonable question: “what if these gentlemen just want to stake out the frequency and orbital ranges without deploying the constellation in the foreseeable time?” and introduced a nine-year restriction - at least half of the grouping needs to be deployed within six, and the rest should be launched for the remaining three, otherwise the application will be canceled and the number of satellites will be frozen on the already launched one. The clear deadline has had a healthy effect on the industry - SpaceX has not formally abandoned plans to launch some 12,000 satellites, but actually plans only 1584 so far. And by the end of the year at least two more and a maximum of six launches are expected, depending on
ThinKom Phased Array Antennas, photo ThinKom Little
is still known about ground stations that will communicate with satellites. Contrary to the persistent myth, it will not work to get Internet from Starlink from ordinary phones. And it is precisely the management of the import of communications equipment, and not the “jamming of satellites,” that will allow countries, if they wish, to control their Internet markets. In a recent interview, Musk only said that the ground station would use a phased array antenna the size of a pizza box. Such a station can theoretically be put on a car, but the question rests on the price, which is not yet called. In general, it is worth noting that antennas with HEADLIGHTS are already found on ships and aircraft, but have not yet spread to the consumer electronics market.
It's also funny that the myth of free “SpaceX Internet” is still alive. Starlink is a commercial project, and in a recent interview, Musk said that the system will be able to work with 800 satellites, and it will become competitive with about 1000. Specific prices and tariff plans have not yet been announced. So if you suddenly see something like “FREE SPACEX STARLINK” in the list of Wi-Fi networks, then these are jokers at best, and at worst banal scammers.
The ambitious Starlink project does not come to an empty market - wired Internet has already spread widely on the surface, and they are planning to introduce 5G for mobile. For remote subscribers with little traffic there is Iridium, Globalstar, Orbcomm or even the domestic “Messenger”. And in parallel, the Starlink-like OneWeb project has already started launching its satellites. So it’s almost impossible to predict the future of Starlink, but at least it’s known for sure that it will be interesting to watch.
Speaking of observations. While the satellites fly in a group, a strip of bright dots looks pretty in the sky. Amateur astronomers and astrophotographers have been watching it since launch. Personally, the strip seemed to me noticeable only with side vision, but on the network you can find beautiful photos, videos and animations. And you can find out when the “train” Starlink flies over you, for example, here or here .
A small announcement: May 30 - June 1 I will be in St. Petersburg, 30 I will read the lecture "Tales of the Apollo program" ( register here), then I will be on SQADays-25.