Starlink is a satellite internet constellation being constructed by SpaceX providing satellite Internet access.


SpaceX plans to sell some of the satellites for military, scientific, or exploratory purposes. The cost of the 10 years-long projects to design, build, and deploy the constellation was estimated by SpaceX in May 2018 to be at least US$10 billion.

When Starlink stared?

Product development began in 2015. Two prototype test-flight satellites were launched in February 2018. Additional test satellites and 60 operational satellites were deployed in May 2019.


How does Starlink work?

- Once it becomes fully operational, Starlink will be able to offer internet access from virtually anywhere on the planet.
- Starlink's effort is to launch thousands of small satellites, all of which will be in low Earth orbit. They will be able to transmit fast internet signals down to Earth.

What are the satellites like?

-Each satellite in the Starlink project weighs just 573 pounds (260kg).
-They are basically very flat
-When they are put in orbit, a single large solar array comes out to power the satellite. The main portion includes four powerful antennas for internet transmissions. They also have lasers that connect each satellite with four others in orbit. Finally, they include ion thrusters that use krypton gas. This allows them to stay in orbit longer even at these lower distances from Earth.

How fast will Starlink internet speeds be like?

-The SpaceX Starlink satellites will be in low orbit, around 350 miles above the Earth. Because of that relatively short distance, SpaceX claims the latency should be between 25ms and 35ms.

-That should be fast enough for most internet tasks, including gaming. Download speeds should also be pretty quick, at about 1Gbps. SpaceX has yet to confirm what upload speeds will be like.

-By comparison, the current HughesNet satellite internet service offers download speeds of up to 25Mbps. However, its latency speeds are much slower at about 600ms.

How many satellites have been launched so far?

-The company launched its first test satellites in 2018.
-So far, the company has launched 1,325 Starlink satellites, although 64 of these have reentered the Earth's atmosphere leaving 1,261 in orbit. SpaceX now owns around one-third of all the active satellites in orbit above the Earth. accounting to march 2021
- In 2021, the program plans to have as many as three launches a month, again with 60 Starlink satellites on each rocket.

How many satellites will be needed for the service?

-The company has received permission from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to put as many as 12,000 SpaceX Starlink satellites above the planet.
-Basically, it will form a kind of “Starlink constellation” in the sky. SpaceX would like to put even more satellites above the Earth. Ultimately, the “Starlink constellation” could have as many as 42,000 satellites in orbit.

How much will Starlink internet access cost?

Starlink has started accepting pre-bookings for Indian addresses. The price has been set at $99 (approx. ₹7,300) towards a deposit for the service. This payment is towards the Starlink equipment that will have to be installed at your address to access the internet service.

When will Starlink internet be available?

-Musk claimed in a Twitter post in April that a private beta will begin around three months from that point. While not confirmed, it appears that a private beta test has begun for select users. Musk added that a public beta would begin in about six months.
-According to CNN, people who expressed interest in signing up for the service received emails asking them to sign up for what the company called the “Better Than Nothing Beta” test. In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission in February 2021, SpaceX stated that it has signed up 10,000 customers for its Starlink beta test. The full service is expected to launch sometime in 2021.

Availability by country

United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal, New Zealand, Australia beta is available for these counties.


Starlink satellite internet launch date in India

-According to information available on its website, Starlink is targeting its India launch sometime in 2022.
-The exact launch time frame is not available right now, but you can head over to the Starlink website and pre-book your connection right now.


Can SpaceX Starlink satellites be seen from Earth?

When SpaceX first launches a new set of satellites, they can be seen soon afterward with the naked eye in many locations. However, they soon go higher up into orbit. When that happens they become much less visible but in certain circumstances, they could still be visible with the naked eye, and certainly via telescopes.


Why are Starlink satellites so bright?


The reason is mostly that they are orbiting much lower than normal communication satellites. According to a Vox article, many astronomers have concerns that the plan to put as many as 12,000 or more Starlink satellites into orbit could cause a lot more light pollution, Which could interfere with their Earth-bound telescopes. SpaceX says it is working to reduce the amount of light pollution from those satellites, including experimenting with a dark coating on the surface.

Are Starlink satellites dangerous?

There have been some concerns raised about the amount of space debris that could be generated with thousands of Starlink satellites in orbit. According to this SpaceNews.com article, many experts feel they could cause issues with both unmanned and manned spacecraft. SpaceX claims that any issues with failing satellites will be resolved by simply using their onboard thrusters to safely take them out of orbit and have them burn up in Earth’s atmosphere?

Will Starlink internet be faster than fiber?

Fiber internet speeds top out at 10Gbps. Starlink’s download speeds are supposed to be up to 1Gbps, but again there’s no word on upload speeds. Therefore, it doesn’t look like Starlink will be faster than fiber

Will Starlink work with cell phones?

No. It is designed to offer fixed internet services to a home or business. The Reddit user Darkpenguin22 recently posted up images of what he claims was a prototype Starlink tracker terminal in Wisconsin. The small circular Starlink tracker antenna has been called by some people a “UFO on a stick”. Having said that, smartphones could connect to a Starlink data connection and its home network via its WiFi hardware.

Will Starlink use 5G?

No. As we have stated before, the service is designed for direct fixed connections to homes or businesses. It is not the same as mobile 5G technology.