On March 9, according to SpaceX's application documents submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the company hopes to connect its Starlink satellite network with vehicles, ships, and airplanes.

The application submitted by SpaceX to the FCC on Friday marks an important step for SpaceX's Starlink satellite network to not only provide Internet services to remote areas, but also to connect various means of transportation.

In a document submitted to the FCC on March 5, SpaceX requested a "unified license authorization" for Starlink terminals called "mobile ground stations," which include RVs, trucks, ships, and airplanes. The company wrote in the application document: "Whether it is driving a truck across the country, or driving a freighter from Europe to a US port, or taking a domestic or international flight, users are unwilling to lose their connection while on the move."

Illustration: The trajectory of Starlink satellites across the night sky

It should be noted that the application submitted by SpaceX this time does not include small passenger cars. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk responded on Monday: “It is not possible to connect Tesla Motors to the Starlink network because our terminals are too large.” “This application is for Airplanes, ships, large trucks and RVs."

SpaceX’s Starlink network already has more than 1,000 satellites in orbit. Beginning last year, SpaceX began to invite some users to participate in the test project, and currently has at least 10,000 users. The Starlink network test project currently targets users in rural areas of the United States, where there is almost no Internet connection. A Starlink device with antenna and router is priced at US$499. In addition, users need to pay a monthly fee of US$99 for Internet services with a bandwidth of 70 to 130mbps per month. Last month, SpaceX began opening service subscriptions in "limited users in each coverage area," including parts of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

SpaceX's application for connecting the Starlink network to vehicles did not include any details about the design of the new antenna. However, the company stated that these antennas “have the same electrical principles as previously authorized user terminals, but have brackets that can be installed on vehicles, ships, and airplanes.” Another SpaceX document stated that the mobile antennas will be installed on “ship masts”. Or on the top of a semi-trailer truck, or it can be installed on a passenger car or yacht. Unlike SpaceX’s existing user terminals installed by customers, the Starlink network antennas placed on vehicles will be installed by “qualified installers”.

For SpaceX, installing Starlink network terminals on vehicles is not surprising. The company applied for a test permit from the FCC last year to install and debug the Starlink network terminal on a Gulfstream business jet. Although Musk deliberately downplayed the prospect of Tesla's electric vehicles being equipped with Starlink network terminals, he once said on the earnings call held in January 2020, "This will definitely happen in the next few years."

SpaceX now seems to be more focused on the mobile network connection business, implying that the company plans to target "drivers, ship operators, and aircraft passengers in the United States and abroad." SpaceX said that providing Starlink Internet services to these customers will "enable operators and passengers to obtain services that increase productivity." The document also mentioned that the company will "enhance the security of the mobile platform," but it did not provide further explanation of the relevant plans. (Chenchen)

Source: NetEase Technology Report, translated by Google Translate