Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, providing high-speed, low-latency internet access to users around the world. This report details the engineering aspects of Starlink, including its design, deployment, and operation. It also discusses the potential benefits and challenges of Starlink technology. Starlink is a constellation of thousands of small satellites orbiting Earth in low-Earth orbit (LEO). These satellites provide internet access to users on the ground by relaying signals between the satellites and ground stations. Starlink was founded by Elon Musk in 2015 with the goal of providing internet access to underserved areas of the world.

1. STARLINK SATELLITES
MILIND MOHAN
SG20532
PANJAB UNIVERSITY SSG REGIONAL CENTER

2. OUTLINE
• High Speed Internet
• Keeping Space Clean
• Antennas
• Singular Solar Array
• IMPACT ON ASTRONOMY
• COLLISION RISK
• END OF LIFESPAN DEORBITING
PROCEDURE

3. HIGHLITES
• Starlink is the name of a satellite network developed by the private
spaceflight company SpaceX to provide low-cost internet to remote
locations.
• A Starlink satellite has a lifespan of approximately five
years and SpaceX eventually hopes to have as many as 42,000
satellites in this so-called megaconstellation.
• The current V2 Starlink satellite version weighs approximately 1,760
lbs (800 kilograms) at launch

4. HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS
• With performance that far surpasses that of traditional
satelliteinternet, and a global network unbounded by
groundinfrastructure limitations, Starlink will deliver high
speedbroadband internet to locations where access has
beenunreliable, expensive, or completely unavallable.
• Starlink is targeting service in the Northern U.S. and Canada
in2020, rapidly expanding to near global coverage of
thepopulated world by 2021.

5. KEEPING SPACE CLEAN
• Starlink is on the leadingedge of on-orbit debrismitigation,
meeting orexceeding all regulatoryand industry standards.
• At end of life, the satelliteswill utilize their on-
boardpropulsion: system todeorbit over the course ofa few
months. In theunlikely event thepropulsion systembecomes
inoperable, thesatellites will burn up inEarth's atmosphere
within1-5 years, significantly lessthan the hundreds
orthousands of yearsrequired at higheraltitudes.

6. ANTENNA
ANTENNA
• The signal comes from and goes to a set of four “phased
array” radio antennas. This compact, flat type of antenna
can transmit in multiple directions and frequencies without
moving like you see big radar dishes do. There are costs
as well, but it’s a no-brainer for satellites that need to be
small and only need to transmit in one general direction

7. HOW DO STARLINK SATELLITES WORK?
• Rather than sending internet signals through electric cables, which must be
physically laid down to reach far-flung places, satellite internet works by
beaming information through the vacuum of space, where it travels 47%
faster than in fiber-optic cable.
• Current satellite internet works using large spacecraft that orbit 22,236
miles (35,786 km) above a particular spot on Earth. But at that distance,
there are generally significant time delays in sending and receiving data. By
being closer to our planet and networking together, Starlink's satellites are
meant to carry large amounts of information rapidly to any point on Earth.

8. SINGLE SOLAR ARRAY
• There’s only a single solar array, which
unfolds upwards like a map (and looks
pretty much like you’d expect — hence no
image here). The merits of having only one
are mainly related to simplicity and cost —
having two gives you more power and
redundancy if one fails. But if you’re going
to make a few thousand of these things and
replace them every couple of years, it
probably doesn’t matter too much. Solar
arrays are reliable standard parts now.

9. STARLINK SATELLITE TRACKER
• Starlink satellites orbit approximately 342 miles (550 kilometers) above
Earth and put on a spectacular show for observers as they move
across the sky. This show is not welcomed by all and can significantly
hinder both optical and radio astronomical observations.
• The debris tracker hooks into the Air Force’s Combined Space Operations
Center, where trajectories of all known space debris are tracked. These
trajectories are checked against those of the satellites, and if a possible
collision is detected the course changes are made, well ahead of time.

10. STARLINK'S IMPACT ON ASTRONOMY

11. IMPACT ON ASTRONOMY
• The space-based internet network is made up of more than 4,000
satellites in low-Earth orbit – the latest of which were launched on
Sunday night – with SpaceX boss Elon Musk planning to extend the
constellation to nearly 12,000 satellites over the next few years.
• Astronomers have previously complained about the light pollution
from Starlink satellite clusters, which is known to impact optical
observations, however the latest research uncovered a different
source of disturbance that also impacts radio astronomy.

12. COLLISION RISK
• At 130 miles, spacecraft experience significant drag from stray air molecules and will
lose momentum and re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere within days. That way, if a satellite
fails to come online and is unable to fire its thrusters to boost itself to a higher orbit, it
quickly falls out of space.
• SpaceX experienced one risk of this strategy Feb. 3 when it launched a batch of 49
Starlink satellites into the middle of a solar storm. Flares from the Sun enhanced
activity in Earth’s magnetic field, warming the atmosphere and causing it to expand
outward. SpaceX said the Starlink craft experienced an atmospheric drag force that
was up to 50 percent stronger than usual. As a result, 38 of the 49 satellites fell out
of orbit and were destroyed, potentially costing the company tens of millions of
dollars.

13. END OF LIFESPAN DEORBITING
PROCEDURE
• The end-of-life process for a Starlink satellite is a fascinating blend of cutting-edge
technology and environmental responsibility. As part of SpaceX’s ambitious project
to provide global broadband internet coverage, these satellites have a finite lifespan
and require a carefully planned decommissioning process to prevent space debris
and ensure the sustainability of space operations.
• Each Starlink satellite is designed to last approximately five to seven years. After this
period, the satellite’s systems begin to degrade, and it becomes less efficient at
performing its duties. At this point, SpaceX initiates the end-of-life process, which
involves deorbiting the satellite and guiding it back towards Earth.

15. STARLINK
DEVELOPMENT
HISTORY
2015
Design phase
2016
Start of development
phase
2018
First launches
2021
Commercial service