TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

SpaceX Internet Satellite Network: Starlink

Discussion in 'SpaceX' started by Grendal, Nov 8, 2014.

  1. dhanson865

    dhanson865 Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2013
    Messages:
    4,331
    Location:
    Knoxville, Tennessee
    no penguins in Alaska, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Scotland, Greenland and such. Those sats go north south but they also rotate east west in effect so they service almost the entire earths surface. Though it is more important for the people more than 53 degrees north or south since the first layer of the network covers most of us.

    Your service in Virginia is coming very very soon. Maybe this picture would help on that front, quite a few new ground stations have been listed recently.

    Wise, NC and Mandale, NC being the two closest to VA.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. dhanson865

    dhanson865 Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2013
    Messages:
    4,331
    Location:
    Knoxville, Tennessee
    if you want to drive over and check this is what you are looking for (that's what the ground stations look like behind the fence). Notice the distinct lack of penguins. :p;)

    [​IMG]
     
    • Like x 2
    • Love x 1
  3. ICUDoc

    ICUDoc Active Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2015
    Messages:
    1,624
    Location:
    Sydney NSW
    Does the 5G scare them off?
     
    • Funny x 1
  4. HVM

    HVM Savolainen

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2012
    Messages:
    969
    Location:
    Finland
    "No penguins" It's the polar bears right? (Especially in Finland, Sweden and mainland Norway)
     
  5. bhzmark

    bhzmark Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2013
    Messages:
    3,416
    Isn't the lowest latitude so far about 44? And Virginia starts in low 39?
     
  6. DMC-Orangeville

    DMC-Orangeville 85D and John Deere 5100E

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2015
    Messages:
    907
    Location:
    NW of the 6ix Canada
    Yes 44 is the current low point. I'm at 43.56, and got turned down.
    I live too far south (funny when a Canadian says that, isn't it)

    But

    On a similar thread on this site (Canada) a person in London Ontario, Latitude 42.98 got service. Hmmmmm.
     
    • Like x 1
  7. Gwgan

    Gwgan Almost a wagon

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2013
    Messages:
    2,836
    Location:
    Maine
    • Helpful x 1
    • Like x 1
  8. bxr140

    bxr140 Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2014
    Messages:
    2,607
    Location:
    Bay Area
    #1508 bxr140, Feb 8, 2021
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2021
    Bit pedantic but...both.

    The inclined/prograde orbit sats have a westward precession of about 4.5 degrees/day and the polar/retrograde orbit sats have an eastward precession of about 1 degree/day. Its also useful to note that the earth's rotation effectively moves everything ~24 degrees eastward under every ~94 min Starlink orbit, and that's going to be the primary variable in when/where the polar test sats can provide service (as opposed to precession). That per-orbit rotation is the phenomenon that draws the classic ISS (and other) orbit projection maps, where successive orbits effectively step westward over a fixed mercator map.

    upload_2021-2-8_8-43-1.png

    Anyway, right now polar testing will be many minutes of service followed by some hours of blackout. Gut feel says Starlink will need maybe 200-300 polar sats to start offering beta service in the northern [sparsely] populated land masses like Alaska and Scandinavia, though (for instance) they'll probably only need a quarter of that or less for full coverage at Amundsen-Scott. Good PR dropping a few terminals down there too. And, near as I know, there are no 5G bats in Antartica to screw it all up.

    Its a two-dimensional lottery, not just latitude. Latitude is important of course, as that's the first order analysis of whether or not there's statistically useful satellite coverage over a region to provide beta service. However, the closer one is to a ground station the lower one's latitude can be while still receiving materially useful service, even below current "low latitude" beta testers. Its pretty straightforward geometry where a user, a ground station, and a [non ISL] satellite all need covisibility for the user to receive service. The closer one is to the ground station, the more the geometry just becomes "can the ground station and satellite see each other".
     
    • Informative x 2
    • Like x 1
  9. dhanson865

    dhanson865 Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2013
    Messages:
    4,331
    Location:
    Knoxville, Tennessee
    #1509 dhanson865, Feb 8, 2021
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2021
    44 hasn't been the limit in a while. 43, 42, and 41 aren't that uncommon now

    as mentioned above https://www.reddit.com/r/Starlink/comments/kxros6/list_of_starlink_beta_invite_locations/ is a good place to look, you'll see service marching south at a steady pace, rumblings are that a bunch of new ground stations just went live so invites will be coming...


    also VA already has some service

    https://www.reddit.com/r/Starlink/comments/lb0cxl/45_households_in_va_receive_starlink/

    Wise County's location of 36.58 degrees north is well below 39.


    you just have to get used to the idea that this is a moving target, whatever southern limit there was last week or last month isn't the southern limit today or next week or next month.


    here is a snapshot from this morning, know that it'll likely be outdated in a few hours or a day or two

    upload_2021-2-8_12-6-24.png
     
    • Informative x 1
  10. TheTalkingMule

    TheTalkingMule Distributed Energy Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2012
    Messages:
    6,308
    Location:
    Philadelphia, PA
    So if I order Starlink in Philadelphia, would it be physically possible to sell connections to my known and trusted immediate neighbors? Obviously would need a considerable mesh router of some sort.

    It's like all of my anti-Comcast anti-Verizon dreams are coming true!
     
    • Funny x 2
    • Love x 1
  11. Ralbright

    Ralbright Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2019
    Messages:
    93
    Location:
    PA
    Just placed my order today for beta in PA at 39.5
     
    • Informative x 1
  12. HG Wells

    HG Wells Martian Embassy

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2016
    Messages:
    2,039
    Location:
    Visas Tuesdays 2-4
    NOTE: They are now taking preorders for $99 in almost all areas.
    Sign up now so you are on the list !
     
    • Like x 1
  13. JPP

    JPP Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2013
    Messages:
    3,043
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Thanks for the head's up. I had previously signed up for the beta, but now have my $99 deposit in place. I see that for my area (SF Bay Area/NoCA) they are estimating mid-to-late 2021.
     
  14. dhanson865

    dhanson865 Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2013
    Messages:
    4,331
    Location:
    Knoxville, Tennessee
    #1514 dhanson865, Feb 8, 2021
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2021
    Looks like anyone north of 39 in the US is getting to order the kit near $600 and full sign up, anyone further south in the US or in other countries gets a $99, 99 euro, whatever equivalent deposit and a time estimate that varies by location.

    Like I said earlier today the bar is moving and Virginia doesn't have long to wait (neither does anyone else in the US between 37N and 53N)

    Someone in KY at 37.x N got a full kit.

    >Availability is limited. Orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.
     
  15. 1965Falcon

    1965Falcon Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2019
    Messages:
    107
    Location:
    Vancouver, WA
    I think it also depends on ground station capacity. I'm at 45.6 degrees and when I ordered it said available mid to late 2021 (Washington State).
     
  16. DMC-Orangeville

    DMC-Orangeville 85D and John Deere 5100E

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2015
    Messages:
    907
    Location:
    NW of the 6ix Canada
    I was denied 2 weeks ago....see: SpaceX Internet Satellite Network: Starlink

    I got my order put through today. 2 to 4 week wait for shipping due to high order volumes.
    I mentioned it to 2 of my neighbour friends. They each got an order!
    Dish party soon
     
  17. Mengy

    Mengy Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2020
    Messages:
    142
    Location:
    PA
    Just placed my order, I'm in Pennsylvania. $581 for the kit, expected delivery in 2-4 weeks!

    I look forward to modern internet speeds, FINALLY! :cool:
     
    • Like x 1
  18. Bobfitz1

    Bobfitz1 Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2012
    Messages:
    1,160
    Location:
    Ludlow, Vt
    I'm in southern Vermont and placed an order which required $99 deposit.

    Does anyone know whether Starlink frequencies are more or less disrupted by trees in the area of the house compared to sat TV from companies like Dish and DirecTV? Does snow collecting on top of dish block signal from/to the sats?
    Thanks in advance for any info.
     
  19. BioSehnsucht

    BioSehnsucht Model 3 LR

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2016
    Messages:
    1,787
    Location:
    DFW, TX
    Trees will almost certainly be an issue. From some videos I've seen it looks like the app has a way to show you what part of the sky should be clear of obstructions. i.e. at 7m20s :

    As for snow collecting, the dish is self heating and flat, it should keep free snow/ice buildup, it will just run off as water.
     
  20. dhanson865

    dhanson865 Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2013
    Messages:
    4,331
    Location:
    Knoxville, Tennessee
    Here's the difference a couple of days makes. 37 N to 41 N filled in nicely. Give it a little time and the march south will continue.

    upload_2021-2-10_16-5-31.png
     
    • Informative x 3

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC