Satellite Internet 'Starlink' announces new antenna that is more than 40% lighter



SpaceX, a private space development company, announced that it will reduce the size and weight of the antenna for the satellite Internet ' Starlink' under construction and improve the performance of the Wi-Fi router.

Customer Support --Starlink
https://support.starlink.com/topic?category=10

Starlink's new Dishy McFlatface is smaller and lighter, still costs $ 499 | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2021/11/starlink-unveils-2nd-generation-satellite-dish-and-new-wi-fi-router/

From late October 2020, SpaceX will begin rolling out Starlink's public beta testing to users residing in the northwestern United States. It sold kits such as receiving antennas and Wi-Fi routers for users for $ 499, and provided satellite Internet communication using Starlink's system. Users who participated in the test said, 'Although there were problems such as occasional disconnection, the overall performance was amazing.'

Beta test users of SpaceX's satellite Internet 'Starlink' are impressed one after another --GIGAZINE


by Official SpaceX Photos

Since then, Starlink has expanded to 12 countries. It is reported to have acquired approximately 70,000 active users.

And in November 2021, SpaceX announced improvements to the receiving antenna and Wi-Fi for users. The spec sheet below shows the old antenna on the left and the new antenna on the right. The dimensions are one size smaller and the weight is 3.1 kg lighter.



Wi-Fi router has evolved from the previous 2x2MU-MIMO to 3x3MU-MIMO. The operating temperature has changed from 0 to 30 degrees to -30 degrees to 50 degrees, and a new IP54 waterproof standard has been obtained. However, the previous Ethernet port is gone, and an Ethernet adapter (sold separately) is available instead. There is no price change.

In July 2021, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said, 'We are trying to reduce the price of next-generation user terminals to $ 250. Currently, the terminal manufacturing cost is $ 1000. We are working on a much cheaper next-generation device because we are losing more than (about 114,000 yen). '



in Hardware, Posted by log1p_kr