SpaceX’s broadband constellation of around 3,300 Starlink satellites is capable of beaming Internet service directly to user terminals on Earth. The satellite network is ideal for remote regions on the planet where internet access is unreliable or completely unavailable. This week, SpaceX updated its Starlink.com website to add a new product – a "Flat High Performance" Starlink user terminal antenna for "Maritime" service customers. Starlink Maritime service is especially designed to provide high-speed internet access to sea-going vessels. "From merchant vessels to oil rigs to premium yachts, Starlink Maritime allows you to connect from the most remote waters across the world, just like you would in the office or at home," says the company.
The new antenna is square shaped like it's standard antenna, but without any tripod legs. Instead, it has a flat base that enables it to easily be mounted on a ship in a flat configuration. The Flat High Performance antenna is "designed for mobility applications and challenging environments," said SpaceX. "Currently only available for Maritime customers. It allows better speeds at high temperatures, can connect to more satellites, and is more resilient to extreme environments."
"Starlink Maritime system enables high speed Internet connectivity even in heavy seas & hurricane winds," said SpaceX founder Elon Musk on September 29. "Rated for 280+ kph (174+ mph) winds," he wrote via Twitter. "In addition to withstanding extreme cold, heat, hail, sleet, heavy rain, and gale force winds, Starlink also holds up against rocket engines," the company said. "Starlink is currently being used to get high-quality video of SpaceX rocket landings at sea, providing continuous coverage in the face of engines capable of generating up to 190,000 lbs of force."
Starlink Maritime system enables high speed Internet connectivity even in heavy seas & hurricane winds https://t.co/6R4p73UGOT
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 28, 2022
The Starlink Maritime hardware costs $10,000 USD for two high performance terminals with a monthly internet subscription of $5,000 USD. SpaceX says Starlink is capable of providing high-speed Internet with low latency and download speed of up to 350 Mbps (Megabits per second). Royal Caribbean Group, the world's second largest cruise ship operator, is already providing SpaceX’s Starlink internet to 'Freedom of the Seas' cruise ship passengers. The company announced on August 30, it became the first in the cruise industry that is working to implement SpaceX Starlink Internet onboard its entire fleet of ships.
Featured Image Source: SpaceX Starlink.com
About the Author
Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo
Evelyn J. Arevalo joined Tesmanian in 2019 to cover news as a Space Journalist and SpaceX Starbase Texas Correspondent. Evelyn is specialized in rocketry and space exploration. The main topics she covers are SpaceX and NASA.
