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IIRC, Starlink satellites operate at a much lower orbit, are much more numerous and are a lot closer together which reduces the tracking complexity a fair bit.
by busterarm 6y ago
IIRC, Starlink satellites operate at a much lower orbit, are much more numerous and are a lot closer together which reduces the tracking complexity a fair bit. Also the inter-satellite links on the Iridium network are radio whereas the Starlinks have 4 motorized optical links (laser). They're highly reflective objects against the background of space.
- pacificmint 6y agoAs far as I know, the current satellites don’t have any lasers for satellite to satellite communication yet. That will come in later generations.
- busterarm 6y agoAhh, I had to look this up but you are correct.
- shaklee3 6y agoThat doesn't reduce tracking complexity. It makes handoffs more frequent and complex as the OP was pointing out.