Starlink: How it works

Starlink satellites operate in Low earth orbit (LEO) at altitudes ranging from about 340 miles (550 kilometers) to 750 miles (1,200 kilometers). This is much closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites, which orbit at about 22,000 miles (35,000 kilometers). The closer proximity reduces latency (the time it takes for data to travel back and forth).

The Starlink constellation consists of thousands of small satellites. SpaceX plans to deploy up to 42,000 satellites in total, creating a mesh network that can cover virtually every part of the globe. As of 2024, several thousand satellites are already in orbit.

To connect to the Starlink network, users need a special antenna, often referred to as the “Starlink Dish”. These dishes vary in size and scope, for example the High-Performance Flat Panel is built to withstand adverse weather conditions and rugged terrain, and The Starlink Mini is a small, lightweight dish that can easily be transported.

This phased-array antenna automatically aligns itself with the satellites overhead and maintains a connection as they pass by. It’s designed to be user-friendly, with easy setup and automatic adjustments.

• Satellite-to-Satellite Links: Some of the newer Starlink satellites are equipped with laser links, allowing them to communicate with each other in space. This reduces the need for ground stations and enables more direct routing of data between satellites, which improves efficiency and reduces latency, especially over long distances.
• Ground Stations: Data from the user’s dish is transmitted to a satellite, which then relays the signal to a ground station. These ground stations are connected to the global internet infrastructure. The ground station sends data back to the satellite, which then beams it down to the user. As the satellite constellation grows, the reliance on ground stations is expected to decrease due to the increasing use of satellite-to-satellite laser links.

• Global Reach: The dense network of satellites in LEO allows Starlink to provide internet access to remote and rural areas where traditional cable or fibre-optic infrastructure is unavailable. The goal is to offer global coverage, including in places where internet access is currently limited or non-existent.
• Low Latency: Due to the low altitude of Starlink satellites, latency is significantly lower than that of traditional satellite internet services, which typically rely on geostationary satellites. Starlink’s latency is comparable to that of terrestrial broadband services, making it suitable for real-time applications like video conferencing and software applications.