Technology
Starlink Overview
By working with Clarus, we can support your organisation in making Starlink part of your solution to integrate, manage, and scale your network.
Starlink is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more.
Leveraging advanced satellites and user hardware coupled with our deep experience with both spacecraft and on-orbit operations, Starlink delivers high-speed, low-latency internet to users all over the world.
What makes Starlink Different?
How Starlink Works
Most satellite internet services come from single geostationary satellites that orbit the planet at 35,786 km. As a result, the round trip data time between the user and satellite—also known as latency—is high, making it nearly impossible to support streaming, online gaming, video calls or other high data rate activities.
Starlink is a constellation of thousands of satellites that orbit the planet much closer to Earth, at about 550km, and cover the entire globe. Because Starlink satellites are in a low orbit, latency is significantly lower—around 20 ms vs 600+ ms.
Features
Each satellite features a compact, flat-panel design that minimizes volume, allowing for a dense launch stack to take full advantage of the launch capabilities of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.
Starlink satellites autonomously maneuver to avoid collisions with orbital debris and other spacecraft. This capability reduces human error and provides exceptional reliability, exceeding the industry standard by an order of magnitude.
Starlink’s custom-built navigation sensors survey the stars to determine each satellite’s location, altitude, and orientation, enabling precise placement of broadband throughput.
Starlink is testing fully operational, optical space lasers (Optical Intersatellite Links or ISLs) on its satellites, which allow the spacecraft to transmit data without local ground stations, providing truly global coverage.
Each Starlink satellite uses 4 powerful phased array antennas and 2 parabolic antennas to provide increased capacity.
Efficient ion thrusters, powered by krypton, enable Starlink satellites to orbit raise, maneuver in space, and deorbit at the end of their useful life. Starlink is the first krypton propelled spacecraft ever flown.
Starlink satellites feature a single solar array, significantly simplifying the system. Solar cells are standardized, and easy to integrate into the manufacturing process.
Rapid Deployment
Starlink is the first commercially available phased array antenna. Your Starlink Kit arrives with everything you need to get online in minutes including your Starlink, WiFi router, cables and base. It is self-orienting and connects in minutes as long as it has a clear view of the sky.
Starlink can withstand extreme cold, heat, hail, sleet, heavy rain, gale force winds, and even rocket engines.
Low cost Launches
As the world’s leading provider of launch services, SpaceX is the only satellite operator with the ability to launch its own satellites as needed. With frequent, low-cost launches, Starlink satellites are constantly updated with the newest technology.
Sustainability
Starlink not only leads the industry in innovations to reduce satellite brightness, but also on-orbit debris mitigation—meeting or exceeding all regulatory and industry standards.
Integrations
Wireless connectivity for everyone, everywhere.
Starlink can extend an existing core network to hard-to-reach locations, making internet accessible and affordable in remote, rural areas that are currently underserved. This backhaul increases the capacity, availability, and performance of existing solutions, supporting the expansion of fibre-like internet and mobile connectivity for users globally. Starlink can provide primary or backup connectivity, ensuring unrivalled business continuity.
Applications:
