SpaceX’s Starlink enters beta phase
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SpaceX is inviting select people in the U.S. and Canada to test its Starlink service – a constellation of hundreds of small satellites designed to deliver high-speed internet around the planet
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Large single solar array:
Extends when in space. Simplified cell design makes it easier and cheaper to build

Ion drive: Thrusters, powered by Krypton, move satellite in space and deorbit craft when redundant

Each flat panel satellite weighs just 260kg

Antennas: Four powerful high-throughput phased array antennas

Star tracker: Sensors keep satellite correctly orientated
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52°N CANADA
44°N U.S.
Test area
500km 300 miles
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Multiple payloads: Falcon 9 Heavy rocket can stack 60 satellites

Low Earth orbit: Almost 1,000 Starlink satellites in orbit at altitude of 550km – set to rise to 12,000 over next decade

Speed: 50-150Mbps data transfer speed, with latency of 20-40ms

Better Than Nothing beta programme: Select people living between latitudes 44°N and 52°N invited to try Starlink

Cost per month: $99 (U.S.) $129 (Canada)

Terminal: Placed on roof to maximise visible sky
Cost: $499 (U.S.) $649 (Canada)
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Sources: MobileSyrup, CNBC, SpaceX, Real Engineering (Brilliant)
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