Revolutionizing Connectivity with Starlink

Phelan Aromana
Feb 24
2 min read

SpaceX was founded in 2002 by the man who will one day take us to Mars. Elon Musk set out with an ambitious mission: to make space exploration more accessible and sustainable while addressing pressing global challenges. SpaceX is a private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company and has been at the forefront of innovation with projects like Starships and Falcon rockets. I honestly don’t know why people hate him when he has done more for the world than they probably ever would. Anyway, I’m here to talk about Starlink.

In an increasingly interconnected world, access to reliable and fast internet is more of a necessity than a luxury. You need the internet for nearly everything now; the faster the better. Starlink’s primary objective is to bridge the digital divide by providing reliable and affordable internet access to underserved and unserved communities. It’s a satellite internet constellation that utilizes advanced satellite technology deployed in low Earth orbit (LEO), delivering high-speed internet to even the most remote regions globally, like some places in Alaska or tragedy-worn areas. I think the weather in Alaska is a tragedy sometimes.

How Starlink works

Instead of relying on a few large satellites positioned in a Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at nearly 36000 kilometers, Starlink uses a vast constellation of smaller satellites orbiting approximately 550 kilometers above the planet. This proximity reduces latency and improves data transfer speeds, making Starlink suitable for real-time applications like video conferencing, online gaming, and streaming Bambi.

I should also mention that not every internet provider apart from Starlink uses satellites in a GEO far from Earth, some use satellites in an LEO, just not as low as Starlink’s satellites.

Starlink’s influence is already evident in various fields:

Disaster Relief: Starlink has been deployed in disaster-hit areas to provide temporary communication networks.
Education: Remote schools now have access to online learning platforms and digital resources.
Business Growth: Small businesses in rural locations benefit from reliable internet, enabling remote work and e-commerce.
Military and Government Use: Starlink has been utilized for secure communication in remote or strategic locations.

The speeds Starlink offers aren’t mad significant compared to other modern internet options, but the difference is in the latency which enables better online communication and gaming. I’m not even going to go into the setup price and subscription price of Starlink, everything is expensive nowadays. At least it’s easy to set up. Some Astronomers criticize the satellites because they might interfere with night sky observation and research, normally I would say “Who cares?” but their job is important. While challenges such as cost and environmental concerns persist, the potential benefits—including bridging the digital divide and enhancing global connectivity—are immense.

Starlink represents a transformative step in the quest for universal internet access and empowering communities, reshaping the way the world connects.