SpaceX Successfully Launched Its Ninth Starlink Mission, Carrying 58 Starlink Internet Satellites

by Kay Lee

On June 13, SpaceX, the company that manufactures spacecraft, launched another 58 Starlink satellites into the Earth's orbit. The satellites are designed to implement global satellite Internet. Thus, 540 of such satellites are currently operating in the orbit of our planet, which makes it possible to begin beta testing of satellite Internet.

SpaceX announced closed beta testing of the global satellite Internet. Those who receive an invitation to participate in beta testing will get a terminal with a satellite antenna with a diameter of 0.48 m. It will automatically be sent to Starlink satellites.

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The Internet ProtocolKay Lee

It is expected that by the time open beta testing begins in orbit, there will be at least 800 Starlink satellites capable of providing broadband Internet access to residents of the northern US states.

In the beginning, these satellites will be able to provide access to the Internet at a speed of 1 Gbit/s with delays from 25 to 35 milliseconds. It is significantly faster than regular satellite Internet, but still not enough for streaming video and games.

The developers plan to reduce the delay value to 8 milliseconds eventually.