Starlink Launches First Signal from Satellite to Smartphone from Space

SpaceX achieved a major milestone in satellite communication by successfully launching the first batch of Starlink satellites capable of directly transmitting signals to smartphones. The Falcon 9 mission took off on January 2 from the Vandenberg base in California. [1]

The batch consisted of 21 satellites, six of which are equipped with innovative modems that function as space cells. These modems enable direct communication with mobile devices. T-Mobile will be the first operator in the United States to offer the new service called “Coverage ABOVE and Beyond.” [2]

Right after entering orbit, the satellites began transferring data with the Starlink satellite network using lasers. This technology provides wider coverage, increased internet speed, and reduced latency. Starlink is expected to operate in areas where cell signals are usually weak or absent, similar to roaming. [3]

Aside from T-Mobile, other leading telecommunications operators worldwide have joined the Starlink Direct To Cell service, including Optus in Australia, Rogers Communications in Canada, KDDI in Japan, One NZ in New Zealand, Salt in Switzerland, and Entel in Chile and Peru. [4]

The SpaceX and T-Mobile partnership was announced in August 2022, aiming to provide affordable cellular communications in remote and inaccessible areas. SpaceX highlights that there are still vast areas in the United States and open oceans without cellular coverage, forcing users to face signal loss or rely on expensive satellite phones. [5]

The Starlink mission marked the 285th flight of Falcon 9. This 70-meter rocket is the world’s first reusable orbital missile designed for safe transportation of people and goods to Earth’s orbit and beyond. SpaceX is already preparing for the next launch of Falcon 9, the OVZON 3 mission from the Canaveral Cosmodrome in Florida, which will be headed for a geosynchronous transition orbit. The event showcases not only the technological progress of the company but also opens up new possibilities in mobile communications. [6]

Starlink’s first satellites with laser connections were launched in 2021, providing internet services in Alaska where ground station installation was challenging. These stations act as intermediaries between Starlink satellites and data centers. However, the introduction of Optical Intersatellite Links allows direct satellite-to-satellite communication using lasers, resulting in faster internet speeds and reduced latency. [7]

Sources:
[1] SpaceX Twitter Post
[2]

/Reports, release notes, official announcements.