5 ms·

So there's Bluewalker 3 which uses a big antenna to achieve communications with unmodified cell phones, and then Elon claiming that regular Starlink satellites

So there's Bluewalker 3 which uses a big antenna to achieve communications with unmodified cell phones, and then Elon claiming that regular Starlink satellites will be able to do the same thing without that ginormous antenna. How does that work? Both are at roughly similar altitudes, BW3 just slightly higher.

gwill 4y ago
I wasn't familiar with BW3. looks massive compared to star link sats. https://ast-science.com/spacemobile-network/bluewalker-3/ https://ast-science.com/spacemobile-network/bluewalker-3/
modeless 4y ago
It's not "regular" Starlink satellites. They are going to launch new ones that do have a big antenna for this service. It's not as big as BlueWalker 3, and as a result the service is not as good. But it will work for texting and maybe voice calls.
crote 4y ago
SpaceX is going for text messaging, AST SpaceMobile wishes to offer cellular broadband. This means it is probably designed for a higher bandwidth on cellular frequencies. Beyond that, bigger antennas mean better signal quality, so a better coverage. Also, Starlink seems to be using an order of magnitude more satellites: AST SpaceMobile is planning a 243-satellite constellation, while Starlink currently has 3000+ satellites operational.
- jhoechtl 4y ago
  > while Starlink currently has 3000+ satellites operational. Wow, I was unaware that Elon already brought that amount of equipment into space!
mlindner 4y ago
There's a tradeoff between satellite size and satellite number and also bandwidth available. Both claims are likely equally true without any contradiction. Also for the record, it's been previously mentioned that Starlink would equip an expandable 25 square meter antenna for this service. [1] [1] https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/08/forget-5g-wireless-spacex-and-t-mobile-want-to-offer-zero-g-coverage/ https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/08/forget-5g-wireless-s...

gwill 4y ago

I wasn't familiar with BW3. looks massive compared to star link sats. https://ast-science.com/spacemobile-network/bluewalker-3/ https://ast-science.com/spacemobile-network/bluewalker-3/

modeless 4y ago

It's not "regular" Starlink satellites. They are going to launch new ones that do have a big antenna for this service. It's not as big as BlueWalker 3, and as a result the service is not as good. But it will work for texting and maybe voice calls.

crote 4y ago

SpaceX is going for text messaging, AST SpaceMobile wishes to offer cellular broadband. This means it is probably designed for a higher bandwidth on cellular frequencies. Beyond that, bigger antennas mean better signal quality, so a better coverage. Also, Starlink seems to be using an order of magnitude more satellites: AST SpaceMobile is planning a 243-satellite constellation, while Starlink currently has 3000+ satellites operational.

jhoechtl 4y ago
> while Starlink currently has 3000+ satellites operational. Wow, I was unaware that Elon already brought that amount of equipment into space!

mlindner 4y ago

There's a tradeoff between satellite size and satellite number and also bandwidth available. Both claims are likely equally true without any contradiction. Also for the record, it's been previously mentioned that Starlink would equip an expandable 25 square meter antenna for this service. [1] [1] https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/08/forget-5g-wireless-spacex-and-t-mobile-want-to-offer-zero-g-coverage/ https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/08/forget-5g-wireless-s...