SpaceX launches Starlink V2 satellites to increase internet capacity

Starlink’s new generation of internet satellites will orbit at low altitude and eventually re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, limiting orbital clutter

To Chris Stokel-Walker

A rocket carrying 21 new-generation Starlink satellites was launched into orbit yesterday at 1813 EST from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

With this flight on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Starlink internet services achieved two milestones. This is the first release of the 2nd generation satellite and the total number of project launches exceeded his 4000 satellites.

Starlink is a division of SpaceX founded by Elon Musk. It provides high-speed Internet connectivity transmitted from above, as opposed to traditional connectivity that uses undersea pipelines and underground fiber optic cables to deliver broadband to homes and businesses.

Its service has become especially important for Ukraine, where traditional internet connectivity has been disrupted by Russia. In December 2022, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission approved Starlink to deploy up to 7,500 new satellites.

Smaller than Starlink’s original version, the V2 Mini version, according to the manufacturer, has four times the capacity to provide users with high-speed internet. This is due to more efficient antenna arrays and the use of radio frequencies from 71 to 86 gigahertz called the E-band. According to SpaceXThe company said the new satellite “Represents a step forward in Starlink functionality”.

The new satellite will orbit the Earth at an altitude of less than 600 kilometers. This means that it will eventually collapse and re-enter the planet’s atmosphere, limiting the number that can orbit the Earth as debris. Astronomers have previously raised concerns that large constellations of satellites affect our ability to see stars in the night sky.

Low earth orbit has advantages over geostationary satellites, which have historically been the primary provider of satellite internet connectivity, said Doug Madory of Kentik, a company that monitors internet performance. Geostationary satellites orbit the earth at a higher altitude (about 35,800 kilometers), so it takes longer to send and receive information over the Internet. Low-Earth orbit satellites like Starlink reduce latency by using more satellites closer to the surface, Madry said.

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