SpaceX asks to test broadband in SPAAACE Elon Musk's SpaceX has filed its long-anticipated application to test a satellite-based broadband service with the Federal Communications Commission. The filing requests permission to beam signals down to “three broadband array test ground stations” on the US West Coast. Elon's satellites won't suffer the unbearable delays …
I wonder if such a satellite could be made powerful enough when transmitting and sensitive enough when listening, so that consumer WLAN equipment could be used to contact it? (Possibly supplemented with a directional "Pringles can" antenna)? That would by-pass the firewalls of authoritarian regimes (or at least of those that cannot shoot down satellites...).
Hmm, let me think.
Do I believe SpaceX, the rather clever people behind the satellites and the ones coughing up the rather considerable costs to launch them, or some Register commentators.
Touch choice.
On the other hand, perhaps it's just a little bit more than 'testing the antennas'?
@James Hughes 1
Some of the The Register's commentards are actually rather well qualified to comment on specific topics that are within their area of expertise. Examples are common.
Antenna and communications system modeling isn't 'rocket science', it's 'antenna and communications system modeling', which is different. SpaceX's expertise at rocket science doesn't directly translate.
No, I'm not going to recite my knowledge and experience on antenna systems, because 'On the Internet, nobody knows that you're a dog.' Pointless, by definition.
IIRC, that only applies for a STATIONARY antenna. These will be MOVING in orbits what may not be terribly precise. No to mention the need to transmit through a fickle atmosphere.
Put it this way. Even GPS has its bad days simply because their orbits can drift just so due to mechanics and the atmosphere can play havoc with their signals. That's why even on a good day your location fix has a tendency to wobble.
The antenna will be miniature phased arrays at both ends, which means they'll be aimed electronically. Over the last few years chip-level phased arrays have started appearing. SpsceX & U. Texas Rio Grande Valley will be working on a new version at the STARGATE tech development/space tracking center next to SpaceX's new launch center outside of Brownsville TX.
@AC
GPS do not drift enough the affect the signal strength. What varies with GPS is primarily the ionosphere density. L-band signal strength is not usually impacted by weather enough to matter.
Not one iota of your post has anything to do with 'testing antenna configurations'.
Agree. My portable satellite radio (XM Inno) still excites me with its ability to convert signals from geostationary orbit into BBC World Service or music channels if you wish. It's a tiny handheld little thing, smaller than a mobile phone.
I hope one of these outfits does the same sort of thing for high speed internet. A LEO near-polar constellation obviously. Like Iridium Next, but with some actual high data rate speed.
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