The FCC has authorized SpaceX to conduct communications in the 71.0-76.0 GHz (spaceto-Earth) and 81.0-86.0 GHz (Earth-to-space) frequency bands (collectively, E-band), with the 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites.
Last year, SpaceX said using E-band radio waves for backhaul would enable Starlink Gen 2 to provide about four times more capacity per satellite than earlier iterations.
There are currently around 1900 Starlink satellites launched under the Gen 2 license in orbit, according to spacecraft tracker and astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell — about two-thirds of these satellites are significantly larger and more powerful than Gen 1 but smaller than full-scale versions slated to launch on SpaceX’s Starship vehicle.
The current V2 Starlink satellite version weighs approximately 1,760 lbs (800 kilograms) at launch, almost three times heavier than the older generation satellites (weighing in at 573 lbs or 260 kg). The version 2 mini have 30-40 meter wingspan when unfolded.
The full sized Starlink Gen 2 or Gen 3 larger Starship launched satellites will have 60 meter width when they are unfolded in space and weigh about four tons.
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.
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Not “almost” three times heavier, more than three times heavier.