Elon Musk, the richest man in the world and owner of companies Tesla and SpaceXrecently came to Brazil to talk about his project to bring starlink for 19 thousand comprehensive schools of the country. The proposal is promising, after all, Internet access and the democratization of technology is something that is widely discussed, but unfortunately still lacks the concert planning or political support needed to get started.

In this article, we will explain what Starlink is and how SpaceX Satellite Internet intends to provide fast, high-quality connectivity to remote regions or regions without such infrastructure. In the video below you can see the unpacking of the Starlink kit, everything that comes in the box and how to ride and adjust the antenna. We also explain how antenna communication with satellites works, how long it takes to set up a company’s internet in Brazil, and most importantly, how many? this service here in the country.

What is Starlink?

Starlink is a proposal to spread the Internet around the world without geographic restrictions and the need for local infrastructure. The company’s antennas provide high-speed broadband Internet access with low latency around the world. Starlink is currently available on 32 countries.

Official Starlink website

Because the Starlink satellites are on low orbit, the round-trip data transfer time between the user and the satellite – also known as latency – is much less than conventional Internet satellites in geostationary orbits. This allows Starlink to provide services such as online gaming that are not normally available on other broadband satellite systems.

It is enough to have the necessary equipment, electricity and a mobile phone to set up a connection, and the user is ready to connect to thousands of Starlink satellites. The branded kit includes an antenna and a router that are connected to a power outlet by a source. In addition to purchasing equipment, the user must subscribe to the company’s monthly satellite internet plan.

The assembly process of the Starlink kit. Image: Playback/Connected World

Although the service is expanding, it is worth remembering that Starlink has a loss on sales of kits, as they still “do not pay for themselves.” The cost of production of equipment, antennas, satellites and everything else does not yet give a significant profit. It is clear that this is a long-term business.

How much?

For Starlink Internet to work at home, you must have equipment and be aware of the subscription to the service (just like any other Internet service). The price of the kit, which includes the circular antenna, source, and router, is currently around $599. 3000 BRL for those who buy an antenna in Brazil. It is important to remember that when importing Starlink, Brazilian consumers have to pay extra shipping and handling charges. import taxes. Thus, the total purchase of equipment can reach 4500 BRL.

A subscription to the standard Starlink service with download speeds from 100 to 200 Mbps and latency up to 20 ms costs $110 today (from $99) or BRL 530 per month without taxes. The company also offers Starlink Business (not yet available in Brazil), a premium internet service with download speeds between 150 and 500 Mbps. This option is worth 500 dollars per month and requires the purchase of equipment with a square antenna cost 2500 USD. Since the launch of Starlink, the price of the subscription fee and bundle has been adjusted.

Price updated May 22 to Starlink Brazil Standard Price – values ​​do not include shipping or import charges. Image: reproduction/Starlink

How does Starlink internet work?

We were able to better understand how Starlink’s global coverage works through the website. Starlink.sx. This is not an official Starlink website, but its developer managed to map the company’s satellite network and didactically show how satellites move and connect to antennas, as well as inform about the current quality of the Internet in regions that receive a signal from the company.

On the map below, taken from the site, we can better visualize satellite grid from Starlink and how the triagulated communication between the antenna, satellite and server takes place. In the image, we see satellites operating in Earth orbit (blue balls or green diamonds), idle and idle. You gateways (orange dots) – connection points between two networks. They are at fixed points and cover an area of ​​a given radius. already point of presenceThe point of presence (purple triangle) is the location where the Starlink Internet is “hosted”, the company’s point of presence in the data center on the ground.

Starlink satellite grid and its ground connection points. Image: Reproduction/Starlink.sx

So the user’s home antenna connects to the Starlink satellite as it passes “over” the region, which in turn connects to the nearest gateway. The gateways are located all over the world and communicate with Starlink satellites, connecting them to the existing fiber optic infrastructure.

The satellite has two satellite dishes. KA frequency (between 26.5 GHz and 40 GHz), Internet backbone (gateway) connection. For comparison, these are frequencies similar to millimeter waves 5G, which are the fastest frequencies on Earth today. In Brazil, 5G will use millimeter waves in 26 GHz.

LASER INTERNET

Each Starlink satellite has 4 phased array antennas and two satellite dishes. But the company is also testing space optical lasers fully operational to enable data transmission without the need for local stations on Earth.

Starlink engineers have already tested satellites that use lasers for communication. Instead of connecting people to the nearest ground station, lasers will allow satellites to communicate directly at the speed of light, which is faster in the vacuum of space than over fiber optic cables. According to engineers, this technology is still very expensive and difficult produce in large quantities, but they hope it will be launched on future generations of satellites.

Do you have a signal in Brazil?

From January 2022 Anatel (National Telecommunications Agency) has already granted SpaceX the right to operate in Brazil. In April, antennas began to arrive in Sao Paulo and other states of the country. The coverage expansion process includes increased connectivity in Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina, Paraná, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, as well as the fact that other areas of the country should receive coverage for the first time before early 2023. on the map below, you check the regions that have (or will receive) a Starlink signal.

Current coverage of Starlink satellite internet in Brazil. Image: reproduction/Starlink

At the moment, the Starlink signal in Brazil still does not cover all areas of the country, much less provides ideal speed and latency in all regions in contact with satellites. Currently in Brazil there is only one PoP and multiple gateways compared to Starlink infrastructure in the US. It is obvious that the connection is here in the country, to become betteras the number of these ground points should increase, as well as the number of satellites and routes over Brazilian territory.

The map shows the PoP (Point of Presence) range of Starlink in Brazil. Image: Reproduction/Starlink.sx

Where are the Starlink satellites?

While most satellite services today are provided by individual geostationary satellites orbiting the planet at a distance of about 35,000 kmStarlink considers itself a constellation of many satellites orbiting a planet much closer to Earth. about 550 kmand covering the entire globe. To date, more 2500 satellitesof which over 2200 are currently in operation.

Comparison of Starlink satellites in low orbit and satellites in geostationary Earth orbit. Image: Repdoucão/Starlink.

The goal of SpaceX, Elon Musk’s rocket maker, is to launch over 40,000 satellites to cover as wide an area as possible. These satellites follow predetermined routes at a distance of 550 km from Earth, covering (until then) some areas of the planet. The more satellites, the more and better coverage. Because of this, SpaceX launches satellites every month, and in early 2023 they will over 4000 in orbit.

How are satellites launched into space?

Starlink satellites are launched by a rocket Falcon 9, from SpaceX. Since Starlink satellites are smaller than conventional satellites (because they have a deployment system), the rocket can launch several units into orbit. In addition, the Falcon 9 has the ability to return to Earth and land, making it repurposed for future launches.

In orbit, Starlink satellites can maneuver autonomously avoid collisions with debris and other spacecraft. To navigate, satellites use built-in navigation sensors that determine the location, altitude, and orientation of each object.

The Falcon 9 rocket is on another mission to deliver Starlink satellites into space. Image: reproduction/Starlink.

They also use the system ion engine (powered by krypton) that allow them to maneuver in space either at orbital level or return to Earth at the end of their lives. It is worth noting that Starlink is the first ever launch with a krypton engine.

New space race?

As the world’s leading launch service provider, SpaceX is single satellite operator with the ability launch your own satellites according to your needs. With frequent and low-cost launches, Starlink satellites are constantly updated with the latest technology.

That is, SpaceX designs its satellites, manufactures its satellites, manufactures rockets to put satellites into orbit, and manufactures antennas to connect to satellites. They have the entire production chain and the necessary equipment to take the Internet from point A to point B, travel beyond the planet and with the potential to become even faster than fiber once the number of satellites and gateways are fully exploited.

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