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> how tiny each satellite is That's true for v1 satellites, but the v2 (to be launched with Starship) are huge. > it's just a conspiracy theory Its open know
by kidme5 4y ago
> how tiny each satellite is
That's true for v1 satellites, but the v2 (to be launched with Starship) are huge.
> it's just a conspiracy theory
Its open knowledge that SpaceX is building these custom military satellites for the military (Space Development Agency). Not a secret at all.
https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink#Military_capabilities https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink#Military_capabilities
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- Retric 4y agoI can see why you would get confused, this is using elements from Starlink satellites the so called “Starlink bus” not the constellation. -The Space Development Agency awarded $193.5 million to L3Harris and $149 million to SpaceX to build four satellites each to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.“ -“We want to show that we can take commoditized commercial components and perform a DoD mission,” said Tournear. https://spacenews.com/spacex-l3harris-win-space-development-agency-contracts-to-build-missile-warning-satellites/ https://spacenews.com/spacex-l3harris-win-space-development-... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_bus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_bus
- kidme5 4y agoIt's only four satellites until it isn't.
- Retric 4y agoSure when the military wants more they have no issues building and launching satellites. The point still stands, it’s clear the Starlink constellation is independent. They are simply reusing a useful platform the same way the DoD buys PC’s etc.
- kidme5 4y agoStarlink has a separate military division led by a four-star general (Terrence O'Shaughnessy). They're not exactly making PCs.
- Retric 4y agoFormer general, and the military is a huge potential market for Starlink’s network or as he proposed in 2019 possibly a new DoD specific constellation. The issue with Starlink’s network is they don’t have polar coverage which is needed due to nuclear subs in the Arctic Ocean.
- kidme5 4y agoThey already added polar orbits for the military.
- Retric 4y agoYou can see the satellites here: https://satellitemap.space/?constellation=starlink https://satellitemap.space/?constellation=starlink Coverage of the Arctic Ocean is insufficient for ground observation. It could change but would be really obvious as you would have polar orbits through the Pacific Ocean which would be really wasteful for their business model.
- kidme5 4y agonot continuous yet but there are plenty of satellites shown there in the Arctic for partial service and demonstration already.
- dzhiurgis 4y agoIf new sats can use t-mobile LTE network what stops them from being used as global Stingray/IMSI-catcher? At the very least they will be wardriving, but thats likely been done ages ago by several operators.