Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, announced plans to launch “next-generation” Starlink satellites that will orbit closer to Earth in order to reduce latency for users. Currently, the Starlink satellites orbit at 550 kilometers, but the new satellites will be at 350 kilometers. This move aims to bring down the median latency for Starlink users to under 20 milliseconds, making it more efficient for activities like online gaming and video conferencing.
During a live stream where Musk was playing Diablo IV using Starlink, he explained that the speed of light is a limiting factor in reducing latency. By bringing the satellites closer to Earth, the time it takes for data to travel between the satellites and the ground can be minimized. Future versions of Starlink are expected to have latency as low as 5 or 6 milliseconds.
SpaceX has already filed with the International Telecommunications Union to operate nearly 30,000 satellites, with a large portion orbiting the Earth at the lower altitude of 340 to 360 kilometers. However, before these next-generation satellites can be launched, SpaceX needs clearance from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC has raised concerns about the impact of these satellites on other space operations, potential light pollution in the night sky, and radio interference with other satellites.
The FCC has given SpaceX until July 8 to address these concerns and provide more details on the plans for the lower-orbiting Starlink satellites. Lowering the orbits of the satellites is expected to not only improve latency but also make it easier to retire them by safely de-orbiting them. SpaceX believes that these advancements will significantly enhance the overall performance of the Starlink system.
As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of satellite internet technology, users can look forward to faster and more reliable internet connections in the near future. The company’s commitment to innovation and efficiency is driving the development of next-generation solutions that will revolutionize the way we access the internet. Stay tuned for more updates on SpaceX’s Starlink project as they work towards making high-speed internet accessible to everyone around the world.