Starlink’s satellite Internet service Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) is preparing to launch its first batch of new satellites. Starlink now provides Internet coverage to users around the world through its network of small satellites, ground stations and user terminals. To diversify coverage, increase speed and reduce costly infrastructure costs, Starlink has also launched new satellites with optical communication channels called lasers. This would allow spacecrafts to transmit data within themselves and increase the range of the network without relying on ground stations.

On this front, Starlink has applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for permission to launch the spacecraft in polar orbits.

The application was submitted to the FCC International Bureau registry system in mid-June and accepted by the Commission for submission earlier this month. It is seeking regulatory permission to temporarily use Starlink satellites in latitudes above 53 degrees, remote areas of the world where internet connectivity is difficult to find.

Starlink uses data satellites from license plate users to ground stations. Ground stations then transmit the data to Internet servers and then back to the spacecraft to complete the loop. SpaceX has built dozens of such stations in the United States, but placing them in remote polar regions is more difficult than installing them in a CONE.

To do this, the company focused on launching satellites with inter-optical communications or lasers to serve the polar regions. This was confirmed by SpaceX head Elon Musk at the beginning of last year when he said that all satellites launched this year will be equipped with lasers, and that his company at that time was limited to launching the spacecraft only in the polar regions.

In a statement, Starlink explained to the FCC that the request is temporary as it will allow the satellites to operate at an altitude of 10 degrees. Starlink is now allowed to use satellites at altitudes above 25 degrees, and lower angles are said to be a measure of “stop range” so that the constellation can serve at altitudes of 25 degrees. Smaller angles allow smaller spacecraft to communicate with terminals, but also lead to poor communication due to long distances and terrain features. Source