SpaceX Has Launched Starlink's First Direct-to-Smartphone Satellites (spacenews.com) 13
Tuesday's launch was different. "SpaceX launched its first batch of Starlink satellites designed to connect directly to unmodified smartphones..." reports SpaceNews, "after getting a temporary experimental license to start testing the capability in the United States."
Six of the 21 Starlink satellites that launched on a Falcon 9 rocket at 10:44 p.m. Eastern from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, carry a payload that the company said could provide connectivity for most 4G LTE devices when in range. SpaceX plans to start enabling texting from space this year in partnership with cellular operators, with voice and data connectivity coming in 2025, although the company still needs regulatory permission to provide the services commercially. Initial direct-to-smartphone tests would use cellular spectrum from SpaceX's U.S. mobile partner T-Mobile. SpaceX has also partnered with mobile operators in Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, and Switzerland....
Meanwhile, early-stage ventures AST SpaceMobile and Lynk Global are closing in on fundraising deals to expand their dedicated direct-to-device constellations. AST SpaceMobile said January 2 it is seeking to secure funds this month from "multiple parties" ahead of launching its first five commercial satellites early this year on a Falcon 9. Lynk Global, which is currently providing intermittent texting and other low-bandwidth services to phones outside cellular networks in parts of the Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, and Palau, plans to raise funds by merging with a shell company run by former professional baseball player Alex Rodriguez.
Meanwhile, early-stage ventures AST SpaceMobile and Lynk Global are closing in on fundraising deals to expand their dedicated direct-to-device constellations. AST SpaceMobile said January 2 it is seeking to secure funds this month from "multiple parties" ahead of launching its first five commercial satellites early this year on a Falcon 9. Lynk Global, which is currently providing intermittent texting and other low-bandwidth services to phones outside cellular networks in parts of the Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, and Palau, plans to raise funds by merging with a shell company run by former professional baseball player Alex Rodriguez.
Do we really have to adjust the MS question? (Score:2)
Is it possible to disable that and if, how?
Re: (Score:2)
Room temperature masers with power output 100 million times higher than previously achieved were created in the lab over a decade ago.
The military probably has a nice big unit that can fry unshielded electronics at great distances by now, or is getting close to it. It's a matter of time before someone has the bright idea to point it up and fry the receiver on a comm satellite.
What, again? (Score:2)
We just talked about this: https://tech.slashdot.org/stor... [slashdot.org]
Re: (Score:2)
You must be new here.
Oh, wait...
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Back in my day, kiddo, you would show up with an onion on your belt, Natalie Portman would pour hot grits down your pants, and CmdrTaco would post a dupe about it!
(I had an invite to join a lot earlier than I did, but I've always been a late joiner. I figured it was just a fad web site that would disappear quickly.)
Re: (Score:2)
Back in my day, kiddo, you would show up with an onion on your belt, Natalie Portman would pour hot grits down your pants, and CmdrTaco would post a dupe about it!
(I had an invite to join a lot earlier than I did, but I've always been a late joiner. I figured it was just a fad web site that would disappear quickly.)
I think this is where I post an obligatory "Get off my lawn." This is, of course, followed by somebody in the triple digits one-upping me. :-D
Re: (Score:2)
How about a Beowolf cluster of these?
when in range (Score:3)
Six of the 21 Starlink satellites ... carry a payload that the company said could provide connectivity for most 4G LTE devices when in range.
This offers new opportunities to get out of a conversation. "Sorry, you're breaking up. I think the satellite is going through a tunnel." :-)
Re:when in range (Score:4, Funny)
Just say "the satellite must be passing behind the moon" - most people won't know any better.
LTE, not 5G... interesting... (Score:2)
Re:LTE, not 5G... interesting... (Score:4, Insightful)
I would assume it is the distance and the bands available for use for this. LEO will require large doppler compensation and large latency allowances in the protocols to work. 5G (IMT2020) is really all about small, dense, wide-bandwidth cells. LTE would be more tolerant to such issues as I think it can support lower density coding. Supposedly, each LEO terminal will be providing a 7Mbps "beam", so not a lot of horsepower.
Texting from space (Score:2)
"SpaceX plans to start enabling texting from space this year in partnership with cellular operators,"
I think they mean texting via space.
The number of people actually in space is rather limited at the moment