SpaceX could be working on a ‘ruggedized’ Starlink dish for cars boats and planes

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SpaceX could be working on a 'ruggedized' Starlink dish for cars boats and planes

(Image credit: John R. Quain/Tom's Guide)

An expansion of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet network could exist coming in the near-future, equally the company is seemingly working on a "ruggedized" version of its satellite dish that could be mounted on a variety of vehicles.

That's going by a new filing with the FCC, which hints at a new dish designed to exist attached on cars, boats, planes, and for employ in harsh environments.

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The awarding was filed on Tuesday (via PCMag), and mentions a "high operation" version of the Starlink dish. While it notwithstanding relies on SpaceX's array of Starlink satellites to operate, these new dishes are designed for use in more farthermost conditions.

SpaceX filed an application to be able to add Starlink to moving vehicles dorsum in March. The idea was that the service could bring high speed net to trucks, freighters, and international aircraft.

Nevertheless, that application relied on "electrically identical" Starlink dishes, albeit with a new mount to connect information technology to something that moves around a lot more than your home'southward roof. Further FCC applications have indicated that Starlink is working on a new, smaller version of its standard dish as well.

But this new awarding is all most upgrading the dishes to continue operating in conditions outside those vehicles. Farthermost oestrus and cold are mentioned, with SpaceX'southward application noting the dishes will have "improved snow/ice melt capabilities, and volition withstand a greater number of thermal cycles."

We have heard reports of Starlink dishes shutting down in farthermost heat, so this upgrade could exist a big do good to the hardware.

Apparently, that will also include the need for the new dishes to apply radio frequencies between 12.2GHz and 12.7GHz. Evidently that will let SpaceX offer a high speed, low latency connection to the hardware. And speeds should be solid, even if there's been a slight flattening in recent months.

While a rugged Starlink dish would prove useful for anyone living in any particularly hot or cold regions, it's the vehicle aspect that is going to be the most interesting part of this. Afterward all planes and boats by and large operate out of range of cell phone masts, and their current internet offerings are pretty weak to say the very least.

In fact, Starlink has already confirmed it's been in talks with airlines to endeavour and install their systems on commercial aircraft. However such a deal would exist reliant on FCC approval, which is where these applications all come into play.

If nil else, piece of work on a rugged dish designed for mobile use volition at least mean people don't need to exercise some DIY electrical piece of work to claw up their electric current Starlink dish to their cars.

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Tom is the Tom'due south Guide's Automotive Editor, which ways he can usually exist found knee deep in stats the latest and best electric cars, or checking out some sort of driving gadget. It'southward long way from his days every bit editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He's usually constitute trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining that Ikea won't let him buy the stuff he really needs online.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/news/spacex-could-be-working-on-a-ruggedized-starlink-dish-for-cars-boats-and-planes

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