Do You Know: SpaceX Starlink is evaluating internet connectivity for aircraft
Wednesday, December 1, 2021 | Chimniii Desk
Key Highlights
- Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, is now testing its space-based internet service on numerous aircraft and plans to offer in-flight connectivity to airlines "as soon as possible," a company vice president said.
- This would directly compete with Viasat Inc., Intelsat SA, and Telesat Corp., among others.
- Starlink is currently generating six satellites per week at its assembly facility near Seattle, according to Hofeller.
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Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, is now testing its space-based internet service on numerous aircraft and plans to offer in-flight connectivity to airlines "as soon as possible," a company vice president said.
Starlink is in discussions with several airlines about offering in-flight broadband connections, Jonathan Hofeller, vice president of commercial sales, said Tuesday during a panel discussion at the Airline Passenger Experience Association's Long Beach, California, conference. This would directly compete with Viasat Inc., Intelsat SA, and Telesat Corp., among others.
Starlink is currently generating six satellites per week at its assembly facility near Seattle, according to Hofeller. Additionally, it is transitioning to a more advanced form. He made no mention of the specifics of the tests or the status of the company's conversations with airlines.
According to the Space Explored blog, SpaceX founder Elon Musk hinted Monday in an internal memo that the business may file for bankruptcy if it is unable to resolve production concerns with its Raptor engines, which power the company's newest and largest rocket, Starship. Musk noted that the vehicle is required to launch the next generation of Starlink satellites.
Space Exploration Technologies Corp., as SpaceX is officially named, is developing a constellation of over 30,000 satellites to give global coverage for high-speed internet.
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