SpaceX Hans Koenigsmann said SpaceX will launch more Starlink satellites in 2019, but would not provide specifics. SpaceX has applied to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) to operate up to 1,000,000 earth stations that customers will use to communicate with SpaceX’s Starlink Satellites (NGSO constellation).
The user terminals will use advanced phased-array beam-forming and digital processing technologies to make highly efficient use of Ku-band spectrum resources by supporting highly directive, steered antenna beams that track the system’s low-Earth orbit satellites. The ground stations will transmit in the 14.0-14.5 GHz band and receive in the 10.7-12.7 GHz band. The Commission’s rules specifically contemplate blanket licensing for earth stations operating in these frequency bands. SpaceX Services seeks authority to deploy and operate these earth stations throughout the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
SpaceX recently filed a modification application in which it proposes to relocate 1,584 satellites previously authorized to operate at an altitude of 1,150 km to an altitude of 550 km, and to make related changes to the operations of the satellites in this new lower shell of the constellation.
.@SpaceX's Hans Koenigsmann says first set of #Starlink satellites (beyond last year's prototypes) will launch this year, but isn't able to say anything more than that. #CST2019
— Alan Boyle (@b0yle) February 12, 2019
SOURCES- SpaceX, FCC, Twitter, Alan Boyle
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.