Space News ,U.S :- SpaceX
achieved a milestone on January 2 by launching its inaugural batch of
Starlink satellites designed for direct connection to unmodified
smartphones. This breakthrough follows the acquisition of a temporary
experimental license to commence testing this capability within the
United States.
The Falcon 9 rocket, carrying a total of 21
Starlink satellites, took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base,
California, at 10:44 p.m. Eastern. Among these satellites, six are
equipped with a payload intended to offer connectivity for a wide range
of 4G LTE devices when within reach.
In a strategic move, SpaceX
plans to initiate text messaging capabilities from space in
collaboration with cellular operators later this year. Voice and data
connectivity are anticipated to follow suit in 2025, pending regulatory
approvals for commercial service provision.
To conduct the
initial direct-to-smartphone tests, SpaceX will utilize cellular
spectrum from its U.S. mobile partner, T-Mobile. The company has also
established partnerships with mobile operators in Australia, Canada,
Chile, Japan, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
During the launch
webcast, SpaceX Senior Manager for Quality Systems Engineering, Kate
Tice, revealed that the first six "direct-to-cell" satellites would emit
brighter signals compared to the 15 Starlink V2 Mini broadband
satellites joining the mission without the hardware for smartphone
connectivity.
Acknowledging the concerns of astronomers, SpaceX
plans to collaborate with them to assess the impact on their
observations. Adjustments to the hardware will be made to ensure that
the direct-to-cell spacecraft remain as inconspicuous as possible.
SpaceX
informed the Federal Communications Commission in November that it
aimed to deploy 840 direct-to-cell satellites over the next six months.
The initial direct-to-cell launch, initially scheduled for mid-December,
became SpaceX first mission of 2024 and marked the 296th overall.
This
mission also marked the maiden flight for the booster on the Falcon 9,
which successfully landed on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean for reuse
after lift-off.
At 11:47 p.m. Eastern, SpaceX confirmed the
successful deployment of all 21 Starlink satellites, with the 15
Starlink V2 Mini satellites enhancing the capacity of SpaceX existing
low Earth orbit broadband constellation.
In the broader context
of direct-to-device satellite constellations, early-stage ventures AST
SpaceMobile and Lynk Global are making strides toward expanding their
capabilities.
AST SpaceMobile announced its intention to secure
funds from multiple parties this month. It plans to launch its first
five commercial satellites on a Falcon 9 early this year.
Simultaneously,
Lynk Global, currently providing intermittent texting and low-bandwidth
services outside cellular networks in various locations, aims to raise
funds through a merger with a shell company led by former professional
baseball player Alex Rodriguez.
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