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SpaceX Files FCC Application For Internet Access Network With 4,425 Satellites (geekwire.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the global-internet dept.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from GeekWire: SpaceX has laid out further details about a 4,425-satellite communications network that's expected to provide global broadband internet access, with its Seattle-area office playing a key role in its development. The plan is explained in an application and supporting documents filed on Tuesday with the Federal Communications Commission. In the technical information that accompanied its application, SpaceX said it would start commercial broadband service with 800 satellites. That service would cover areas of the globe from 15 degrees north to 60 degrees north, and from 15 degrees south to 60 degrees south. That leaves out some portions of Alaska, which would require a temporary waiver from the FCC. Eventually, the network would grow to 4,425 satellites, transmitting in the Ku and Ka frequency bands. "Once fully deployed, the SpaceX system will pass over virtually all parts of the Earth's surface and therefore, in principle, have the ability to provide ubiquitous global service," SpaceX said. The satellites would orbit the planet at altitudes ranging from 714 to 823 miles (1,150 to 1,325 kilometers) -- well above the International Space Station, but well below geostationary satellites. SpaceX said it would follow federal guidelines to mitigate orbital debris. Each satellite would weigh 850 pounds (386 kilograms) and measure 13 by 6 by 4 feet (4 by 1.8 by 1.2 meters), plus solar arrays, SpaceX said. Operating lifetime was estimated at five to seven years per satellite.

5 of 121 comments (clear)

  1. So in 10-20 years time... by Viol8 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    ... that'll be another 4425 bits of space junk. Genius idea - utterly pollute near space just so some company can make a short term profit on something thats a nice to have rather than essential infrastructure.

    "SpaceX said it would follow federal guidelines to mitigate orbital debris"

    And how does it plan to do that exactly? They're too high to be sent down to burn up in the atmosphere and too low to be sent off into a parking orbit.

    1. Re:So in 10-20 years time... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Yeah, I'm a bit surprised by "Operating lifetime was estimated at five to seven years per satellite." Surely with 4425 satellites, that means between 632 and 885 satellites needing to be replaced each year. Seems like a lot.

    2. Re:So in 10-20 years time... by Rei · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Preventing dead satellites from accumulating in the middle of their constellation isn't incentive?

      --
      It's times like this I wish I had a friend named 'The Professor'.
    3. Re:So in 10-20 years time... by Rei · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Cute, but in the real world, industries are often built entirely around long-term investment. A deep sea oil rig, for example, may not give its first drop of oil for over a decade after they sink vast sums of money into it.

      Unless SpaceX plans to be out of business in a decade or so, they have incentive.

      --
      It's times like this I wish I had a friend named 'The Professor'.
  2. Re:What's the business model? by Rei · · Score: 3, Insightful

    You think a low latency broadband network available to the entire planet's 7,5 billion people is only going to be able to get 91 million subscribers?

    --
    It's times like this I wish I had a friend named 'The Professor'.