Starlink
OneWeb’s revival worries astronomers
A potential return to operations of satellite megaconstellation company OneWeb is a new source of worry for astronomers who previously had been focused on the effect SpaceX’s Starlink satellites will have on their observations.
LEO constellations still held to high bar in FCC rural broadband subsidy program
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission remains unconvinced that low Earth orbit satellite internet constellations are worth subsidizing through its $16 billion rural broadband program despite tweaking the rules for that program to give LEO constellations a better chance to qualify for funding.
Astronomers warn about effects of other satellite megaconstellations
Astronomers who have spent the last year worried about the effect that SpaceX’s Starlink satellites will have on their observations say they are increasingly concerned about the impact from other proposed megaconstellations.
SpaceX launches eighth Starlink mission, first VisorSat satellite
SpaceX launched a batch of 60 Starlink broadband satellites June 3, including one with a deployable sunshield meant to test out a new way to reduce the brightness of future satellites.
Army’s evaluation of Starlink broadband to focus on reliability, vulnerability
Gen. Murray: “It’s about figuring out what capabilities they can provide, and what vulnerabilities do they have?"
SpaceX to add sunshades to all future Starlink satellites
SpaceX has decided to add sunshades to future Starlink satellites to reduce their impact on astronomy, having opted for constellation-wide implementation of the reflective hardware.
U.S. Army signs deal with SpaceX to assess Starlink broadband
The U.S. Army will experiment using Starlink broadband to move data across military networks.
Planet’s next six satellites will launch on upcoming SpaceX Starlink missions
Six SkySat satellites will be evenly split across two Starlink launches on Falcon 9.
Space Force to get deeper insight into inner workings of SpaceX commercial launches
The $8.9 million "fleet surveillance" contract gives the Space Force a closeup view of SpaceX commercial launches.
SpaceX to test Starlink “sun visor” to reduce brightness
SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk said April 27 that he hopes to test a new way to reduce the brightness of the company’s Starlink satellites on the next launch for the broadband megaconstellation.
Starlink passes 400 satellites with seventh dedicated launch
SpaceX launched its seventh batch of Starlink satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket April 22, growing its internet constellation to 422 satellites in low Earth orbit.
SpaceX seeks FCC permission for operating all first-gen Starlink in lower orbit
SpaceX is asking the FCC for permission to operate all 4,400 of its first-generation Starlink satellites at much lower altitudes than previously planned.
Senators ask GAO to review FCC oversight of satellite constellations
Two senators have asked the GAO to review the FCC’s decision to exempt satellite constellations like SpaceX’s Starlink from an environmental review, given those satellites’ effect on the night sky.
Starlink mission scheduled for next week at Kennedy Space Center
Brig. Gen. Schiess said the launch will be carried out with a lean crew and social distancing measures.
SpaceX claims some success in darkening Starlink satellites
SpaceX says it will take more steps to reduce the impact of its Starlink satellite constellation on astronomy, although astronomers disagree with statements by Elon Musk that the system will have “zero” effect on their work.
SpaceX launches Starlink satellites, misses booster landing for second time
SpaceX successfully launched 60 satellites for its Starlink broadband constellation March 18, but failed to recover the rocket’s first stage, marking the company’s second consecutive booster miss on a Starlink mission.
