SpaceX Launches New Batch Of Starlink Satellites Following Minor Delay

Starlink certainly fills a void for many people around the world, particularly those in underserved and rural regions where the available internet service is often overpriced, very slow, and with strict data caps. Unlike 5G home internet services, which utilize existing cellular networks, Starlink involves satellite dishes delivered to customers who use them to transmit and receive internet data from the constellation of LEO satellites. Over recent years, Starlink has expanded its availability to include services for RV and boat owners, as well as aircraft.

The service remains polarizing, however — not just due to the antics of its owner, but also because the position of the satellites in low-Earth orbit makes them the equivalent of a pest to astronomers. The satellites can reflect sunlight, temporarily disrupting astronomical observations as they pass by. These concerns aren’t unique to Starlink satellites, but instead apply to any similar constellations, which also have the potential to interfere with radio telescopes. For its part, SpaceX has taken steps to address this concern by implementing a dark coating on the satellites that cuts down on reflections, among other things.

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