Skip to main content

All Questions

10 votes
1 answer
4k views

Does SpaceX expect 1 collision involving one of their Starlink satellites every 2 years?

I read on https://gizmodo.com/spacex-starlink-satellites-dodge-137-objects-daily-1850616506 by Passant Rabie: A new report revealed that Starlink satellites had to make 25,000 collision avoidance ...
4 votes
0 answers
143 views

How will Amazon's constellation differentiate itself from SpaceX's and OneWeb's?

The New York Times' Amazon Satellites Add to Astronomers’ Worries About the Night Sky says: Much of the attention on these strings of satellites has been placed on the prolific launches of SpaceX and ...
27 votes
1 answer
5k views

SpaceX's 4,425 satellite constellation - what's the method to the madness?

The BBC article SpaceX aims to launch internet from space discusses the SpaceX proposal for a dense array of over 4,000 LEO satellites for global internet coverage, and links to SpaceX non-...
3 votes
2 answers
749 views

What is the theoretical smallest size limit for a phased array antenna that can reach LEO?

Now that one provider is operating a phased array ground-to-satellite internet comm system, others will follow. A frequently asked question is "When can we use Starlink with a sat phone?". ...
4 votes
2 answers
768 views

What is meant by "a high-energy geostationary orbit"? (SpaceX Arabsat 6A)

The Teslarati article SpaceX’s April 7th Falcon Heavy launch a step toward new commercial markets says: While there is some inherent uncertainty surrounding the (once again) fairly new rocket, ...
4 votes
0 answers
299 views

Did the Starlink precursor Tintin satellites ever talk to each other? If so, how? Did they demonstrate an optical communications link?

Tintin A and B are the first two exploratory and testing spacecraft for SpaceX's Starlink program. It looks like they are in very similar orbits in both space and time, and are probably that way so ...
3 votes
0 answers
1k views

What technology will SpaceX's StarLink satellites most likely use for sat-to-sat linking?

The question How does SpaceX plan to make money with StarLink Broadband? has got me thinking about how the satellites will link to each other. Wikipedia says it's something greater than 10,000 GHz and ...
10 votes
1 answer
1k views

How much krypton is stored on a Starlink satellite?

How much krypton (fuel) is there for the krypton-powered ion thrusters on Starlink satellites and how long does it last?
8 votes
2 answers
1k views

What will be "unique" about upcoming SES-9 GTO transfer profile by SpaceX?

In the SES-9 mission press kit, SpaceX mentions: "Given this mission’s unique GTO profile, a successful landing is not expected." What is considered "unique" about this transfer orbit's profile? ...
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

How did SES-9 reach geostationary orbit from inclined transfer orbit (from F9 2nd stage)

The Spaceflight Now article Flight timeline for Falcon 9’s launch of SES 9 says near the end that the Falcon 9 2nd stage will leave SES-9 in an elliptical, inclined transfer orbit. And Falcon 9 rocket ...
2 votes
1 answer
138 views

"...extending the Starlink network using longer-range laser comms and relay satellites to reach Mars and Starships in-transit" (Musk & Shotwell)

I have it on good authority that SpaceX's Elon Musk and Gwynne Shotwell: ...have talked about extending the Starlink network using longer-range laser comms and relay satellites to reach Mars and ...
3 votes
4 answers
2k views

Quantum technology for starship communications and landing on Mars

Based on practically proven Quantum-Entanglement principle, any entangled quantum switch in this universe can be flipped instantaneously from elsewhere. Can it be used to send information from far off ...
4 votes
2 answers
352 views

Is a space probe communication relay possible?

Is it possible to maintain a connection with space probes that are far away by sending other space probes behind it. For example - [earth] ------1---- 2-------3--------4------5....and so on if ...
8 votes
1 answer
836 views

How much time does it take to circularize a GTO orbit using ion propulsion?

SpaceX launched two GEO comsats, and is about to launch two more, that use all-electric ion propulsion. Now, I'm wondering, how much time would it take to actually make a satellite like that ...
4 votes
1 answer
347 views

Has FCC jurisdiction for all the world for SpaceX's Starlink position?

These days, you can read in the news that SpaceX requested FCC for permission to change the orbit of the Starlink satellites already in orbit. Now... from my understanding, the Starlink satellites ...

15 30 50 per page