The Federal communications Commission (FCC) approved the application of SpaceX on the launch and use of Starlink satellite network of several thousand compact satellites, which the company plans to provide Internet access not only in the US but around the world.
“With this decision, the Commission took an important step toward affordable competition in the provision of high speed data services,” said FCC in a statement.
As noted in the statement, this is the first case when the FCC gave the nod to the creation of such a satellite constellation, however, the media added that last year the company OneWeb, Norway Space and Telesat received permission to access the U.S. market to provide broadband services using satellites.
“We are grateful to the Federal communications Commission for a thorough review, analysis and giving SpaceX a license for the establishment of a constellation of satellites. Despite the fact that on the way to this goal we have to solve still many complex problems, this solution is a very important step for the establishment of a satellite network of the new generation. Using this constellation of satellites company SpaceX will be able to provide affordable and quality broadband Network that will be especially important for those regions where it is currently absent of any Internet,” commented Gwynn Shotwell, President and chief operating officer of SpaceX.
It is worth mentioning that the ambitious plan Mask for creating a new satellite network, the Internet has become known in 2016, when the owner of SpaceX has unveiled some details of the ambitious project, called Starlink. As evident from the description, the group will include 4425 satellites that will be in orbit height from 1150 to 1325 kilometers, and 7518 of vehicles, which plans to launch its height from 335 to 346 miles. Thus, in the framework of this project, SpaceX intends to launch almost 12 thousand compact satellites. However, judging by the FCC, yet the company received permission to run only the first grouping units.
To ensure global access to the Internet satellites SpaceX will operate at frequencies of Ka – and Ku-bands. Start the mass launch of satellites in the network Starlink is scheduled for 2019. The network will begin its work as soon as the satellite constellation will consist of at least 800 vehicles. However, until March 29, 2024 the company will start at least half of the approved number of machines, and the remaining satellites should be launched into orbit by 29 March 2027.
Note also that on February 22, SpaceX successfully launched the Falcon 9 and put into orbit the first two satellites of the system, Starlink. With the help of satellites Microsat-Microsat 2a and-2b SpaceX intends to test a new phased antenna lattice with the technology of the formation of the directional beam, and equipment for inter-satellite communication.
The Starlink network promises faster compared to fiber optic networks, Internet access through the provision of direct access to the wireless network and not through the current system of redistribution of signals, which are usually much more expensive to operate and less reliable.
SpaceX has received official permission to establish their satellite Internet service
Nikolai Khizhnyak