SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches New 52 Starlink Satellites October 2022
New 52 Starlink Satellites- SpaceX has scheduled a series of satellite launches this October from the Space Launch Complex 4E at the Vandenberg Space Force Center in California. The first launch happened last October 5, Wednesday, at exactly 19:10 EDT. 8.5 minutes after launch, the Falcon 9’s first stage returned to Earth and touched down precisely on the SpaceX drone ship located in the Pacific Ocean, Of Course I Still Love You.
SpaceX’s Starlink: A Constantly Growing Satellite Constellation
Starlink already has 3,400 satellites in space as of writing, and they are constantly planning to add more. SpaceX was approved for 12,000 spacecraft and is currently applying for another permission to send 30,000 on top of the initial constellation.
Starlink satellite internet is servicing different countries worldwide, with a mission to provide accessible, high-speed internet to rural and remote areas where stable internet connection is nonexistent.
The last launch was the company’s 45th this year, and the fifth and landing for Falcon 9 first-stage booster, and they are looking for three more launches at the end of the month. Here’s the tentative launch schedule of SpaceX for October.
Date | Time | Location | |
Starlink 4-29 | Oct. 5, 2022 | Tues | 16:10 PT | Vandenberg SFC, California |
Starlink 4-31 | Oct. 31, 2022 | Mon | 00 PT* | Vandenberg SFC, California |
Starlink 4-36 | Oct. 31, 2022 | Mon | 00 PT* | Vandenberg SFC, California |
Starlink 4-37 | Oct. 31, 2022 | Mon | 00 PT* | Vandenberg SFC, California |
* – TBA
Starlink in the United States
Starlink has two main competitors in the US, Viasat and HughesNet. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, especially with Starlink’s limited and more expensive internet plans. But the good thing is, satellite internet is not what it used to be — slow but costly. With the constant technological advancements, what was once slow now offers decent internet speeds.
Let’s be honest, the satellite internet plans today aren’t as fast as fiber internet, but it has progressed to a much more reliable and stable connection. Plus, it’s your best choice if you’re vacationing in a remote area or simply having a state-to-state road trip. It’s because satellite internet works anywhere with a clear view of the sky. It may not be as fast as other types of internet, but it can definitely provide you with a connection wherever you are.
Starlink Plans and Costs
Starlink keeps its offerings plain and simple, with only four satellite internet plans designed for different uses. The three plans are Starlink Residential, Starlink RV, Starlink Business, and Starlink Maritime. Let’s dive into these four internet plans.
Starlink Residential
This plan costs $110 monthly with download speeds up to 250Mbps and unlimited data. While it may seem expensive compared to other internet plans, you have to keep in mind that it comes with unlimited data, which is rarely available for satellite internet plans. Moreover, the speeds are also excellent, as you rarely see that kind of download speed from satellite internet. But, it can be very costly, especially since you need to pay a one-time equipment fee of $599.
Starlink RV
Starlink RV also comes with speeds of up to 250Mpbs and unlimited data. However, it costs slightly higher than residential at $135 per month. The one-time equipment fee is also similar to the residential plan at $599. Many RV internet plans are highly expensive, so Starlink is a great option for RV internet.
Starlink Business
Starlink Business comes with double antenna capability and better speeds. Costing $500 per month and a one-time equipment fee of $2,500, it can be a pretty expensive choice for business internet. However, it could be your business’s best option if you don’t want to deal with data caps and lower internet speeds in remote areas.
Starlink Maritime
Starlink Maritime features 350Mbps download speeds designed for water vehicles. This internet is used to capture high-quality video at sea during SpaceX rocket landings. However, it might be too expensive for many, costing $5,000 per month with a one-time equipment fee of $10,000. But it can be a great option if you need a high-speed, low-latency connection while sailing. It also allows you to pause and resume your plan anytime, so you can just use it whenever you sail.
Conclusion
SpaceX is definitely redefining the technology and telecommunications industry. With an incredible mission of delivering fast and a stable internet connection to remote areas worldwide, we can’t wait to see the endless possibilities of Starlink’s progress over the years.