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SATELLITE NEWS

Starlink Satellite Internet Beta Imminent as Elon Musk Confirms Dish Details

New details about SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service unearthed separately, however. Reddit users Bubby4j and lgats
have emerged, with the company confirming that a private beta went digging through the Starlink site, and managed to extract
program is set to kick off this summer. Bypassing traditional not only an FAQ shedding more detail on how the betas will run,
wireline internet providers, Starlink will instead use a network but images of the Starlink antenna. Initially only those in the
of satellites that SpaceX has been gradually deploying. So far, Northern United States and Lower Canada, along with those in
around 600 are in orbit. Beyond internal testing, though, Starlink’s rural or remote communities in the Washington State area, will be
actual service hasn’t been available to the public. Potential able to take part. That’s because of where Starlink’s satellites are
customers have been able to register their details by entering their positioned. Beta members will also need to guarantee a clear view
ZIP code for some time now, but actual paid service hasn’t gone of the northern sky, “between 44 and 52 degrees north latitude,”
live. Now, Starlink looks to be one step closer to that happening. Starlink explains. Users will get a pre-assembled Starlink dish,
In an email to registered potential customers, the company a router, power supply, and a mount, though the exact setup will
has requested address details beyond just ZIP code, Engadget depend on the type of home it’s all being installed on. CEO Elon
reports. According to the message, a private beta will launch this Musk later confirmed that the kits are designed to be self-installed,
summer, followed by a public beta. Exactly who can take part in since the dish “has motors to self-orient for optimal view angle.”
either of those stages – and the equipment they’ll use – has been It also appears that power-over-ethernet (PoE) is being used, so
that a single cable links the dish and the router. There’ll be no
cost for those selected to take part in the beta, beyond a single $1
charge; that, the company says, is “to help test the billing system.”
Participants probably shouldn’t use it as an excuse to cut their
regular internet service quite yet, however. Starlink connectivity
is expected to be intermittent, the company’s unearthed FAQ
warns, as it’s optimized. “When connected, your service quality
will be high, but your connection will not be consistent,” Starlink
advises. “This means it may support streaming video with some
buffering, but likely is not suitable for gaming or work purposes.”
Those taking part in the beta will be expected to sign a non-
disclosure agreement, effectively blocking them from talking
about their experience with the satellite internet service. That
includes allowing anyone to take photos of the Starlink Kit they’ve
been provided with. They’ll also need to give feedback every eight
weeks to Starlink on how the system is holding up, and “dedicate
an average of 30 minutes to 1 hour per day testing the Starlink
Services.”

SpaceX to Launch 60 Satellites into Space

SpaceX is set to launch 60 satellites into will be the 10th mission in support of Musk hopes the satellites will bring low-
space, as part of the firm’s Starlink mission. the constellation of networked satellites cost internet to remote areas on Earth.
The Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch known as Starling.“ The goal of Starlink is Starlink explained: “With performance that
from Cape Canaveral at 22:58 BST (17:58 to create a network that will help provide far surpasses that of traditional satellite
EDT), and will carry 60 Starlink satellites internet services to those who are not internet, and a global network unbounded
into orbit. This is the tenth batch of Starlink yet connected, and to provide reliable by ground infrastructure limitations,
satellites, bringing the total number in orbit and affordable internet across the globe. Starlink will deliver high speed broadband
to over 500.NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre “During the launch, the Falcon 9 rocket internet to locations where access has
said: “SpaceX is scheduled to launch 60 will carry the Starlink satellites into orbit, been unreliable, expensive, or completely
Starlink satellites from a Falcon 9. “This before attempting to land at sea. Elon unavailable.”

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