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> Space is a limited resource Technically true, but even with the full planned ~40k Starlink constellation we'd be nowhere close to the limit.

• lxgr 3y ago
  There's definitely a limit: Frequencies and orbital separation/steradians of aperture. If you're putting a satellite right next to one of Starlink's, using the same frequency, how'd you communicate with it without the two interfering with each other?
  • corbezzoli 3y ago
    > without the two interfering I’m no radio expert but I think this was solved when they managed to handle a hundred thousand connected cellphones in a single stadium.
    • lxgr 3y ago
      That works by reducing the transmit power significantly and having many low-power cells all over the stadium. In other words, it depends on some base stations being significantly farther away from a given device than others. That’s not the case for satellites.
      • natch 3y ago
        Sounds like it would be a good idea for Starlink to have multiple satellites then.
        • lxgr 3y ago
          Unfortunately they’re all pretty similar distances away from you, so that doesn’t help here. Having more than one satellite above the horizon really only works when both antennas are (highly) directional. Cell phones aren’t.
          • natch 3y ago
            Ah thank you. I’m assuming the product offering will be aimed at less frequent but more high value use cases such as remote navigation or sporadic messaging and infrequent short calls. Similar to other current satellite offerings for mobile devices, but hopefully enlarging the envelope of utility at least marginally.