4 ms·

How come the stream not cutting off during re-entry "blackout" period? Is it because the re-entry is low / slow enough so no thick plasma layer, or because it i

by liuliu 2y ago

How come the stream not cutting off during re-entry "blackout" period? Is it because the re-entry is low / slow enough so no thick plasma layer, or because it is streamed through StarLink which happens to be on the other side of the plasma layer?

the_duke 2y ago
They indeed started streaming through Starlink on the third (previous) test flight.
DarmokJalad1701 2y ago
There is a "hole" in the plasma in the wake of the re-entering Starship due to its shape. They used Starlink terminals to beam the data up to Starlink satellites. Starlink also uses higher frequency signals than older systems and that also helps.
- spdif899 2y ago
  I'm not sure if they have shared details but I assume this leaves a relatively narrow window over the ship that they need to put a satellite, which would be really cool to see more on logistically. Like how do you move a satellite or satellites to a certain area, at the right time, avoiding other space objects, and then keep them there for 45 minutes during the mission or at least 15 minutes during the blackout zone. I'm sure it takes a huge amount of planning, math, coordination with various entities....
  - abulman 2y ago
    They might do some minor optimisation in terms of when the fly to keep some coverage but ... > As of May 2024, there are 6,078 Starlink satellites in orbit, of which 6,006 are working - https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-satellites.html https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-satellites.html
  - DarmokJalad1701 2y ago
    > like how do you move a satellite or satellites to a certain area, at the right time, avoiding other space objects They have 6000+ satellites in orbit. While it may not be easy, it is probably not a huge challenge to plan for one or more to always be in the field of view for this flight.
moffkalast 2y ago
Starship is so absurdly massive that the plasma doesn't fully encompass it, and can get the starlink signal through to the satellites above.

by liuliu 2y ago

the_duke 2y ago

They indeed started streaming through Starlink on the third (previous) test flight.

DarmokJalad1701 2y ago

There is a "hole" in the plasma in the wake of the re-entering Starship due to its shape. They used Starlink terminals to beam the data up to Starlink satellites. Starlink also uses higher frequency signals than older systems and that also helps.

spdif899 2y ago
I'm not sure if they have shared details but I assume this leaves a relatively narrow window over the ship that they need to put a satellite, which would be really cool to see more on logistically. Like how do you move a satellite or satellites to a certain area, at the right time, avoiding other space objects, and then keep them there for 45 minutes during the mission or at least 15 minutes during the blackout zone. I'm sure it takes a huge amount of planning, math, coordination with various entities....
- abulman 2y ago
  They might do some minor optimisation in terms of when the fly to keep some coverage but ... > As of May 2024, there are 6,078 Starlink satellites in orbit, of which 6,006 are working - https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-satellites.html https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-satellites.html
- DarmokJalad1701 2y ago
  > like how do you move a satellite or satellites to a certain area, at the right time, avoiding other space objects They have 6000+ satellites in orbit. While it may not be easy, it is probably not a huge challenge to plan for one or more to always be in the field of view for this flight.

moffkalast 2y ago

Starship is so absurdly massive that the plasma doesn't fully encompass it, and can get the starlink signal through to the satellites above.