I believe they said like 800 for initial operation.
SpaceX will begin launching the constellation it dubbed "Starlink" in 2019. The system will be operational once at least 800 satellites are deployed.
Dear Ms. Dortch:This is to inform you that, on April 12, 2018, Patricia Cooper, Bryon Hargis, andundersigned counsel on behalf of Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (“SpaceX”) met withCommissioner Clyburn, Louis Peraertz, her Senior Legal Advisory for Wireless, International, andPublic Safety, and law clerk Pooja Tolani; Umair Javed, Legal Advisor to CommissionerRosenworcel for Wireless and International; Erin McGrath, Legal Advisor to CommissionerO’Rielly for Wireless, Public Safety, and International; and Rachael Bender, Wireless andInternational Advisor to Chairman Pai. The primary topic of discussion was the operation of twoexperimental SpaceX satellites launched on February 22, 2018, including initial results from thosetest operations. However, we also discussed a topic relevant to the above referenced proceeding:potential policies for ensuring the safety of operations in space. That discussion was consistentwith SpaceX’s submissions in this proceeding.
In this application, SpaceX seeks to modify the experimental authorization for Microsat-2a and -2bin order to reflect additional test activities undertaken with the federal government. The tests aredesigned to (1) demonstrate the ability to transmit and receive information between two groundsites (“Ground-to-Ground”) and between the ground and an airborne aircraft (“Ground-to-Air”) usingMicrosat-2a and -2b, and (2) communicate using an additional antenna at its Redmond, Washingtontest site. Nothing about the operation of and transmissions from the Microsat-2a or -2b satelliteswill change under this modification. The only change will be the addition of two new types of earthstations, one of which will transmit uplink signals to the Microsat satellites first from the ground andlater from a moving aircraft
SpaceX is working with a manufacturer of conformal antennas for tactical aircraft
>To explore the art of the possible, AFRL is planning to contract with at least one commercial internet provider for a set of antennas that can be mounted onto Air Force test aircraft, Beal says. The team will then fly the aircraft, a Beechcraft C-12J based at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, directly under the associated satellites and establish a communications path."AFRL plans to measure the quality of the connection, data latency, throughput and error rate, among other factors, and experiment with sending encrypted messages across the commercial network," Beal says."A key piece of the puzzle will be figuring out how to send critical threat information securely over a commercial network. To help ensure cyber resiliency, AFRL will likely contract with companies that have a good history of providing cybersecurity to current terrestrial networks," says Greg Spanjers, chief scientist at the Air Forces Strategic Development Planning Experimentation office. >
US military/DoD appears to be involved(first reference above, page 3):QuoteSpaceX is working with a manufacturer of conformal antennas for tactical aircraftMaybe this is related to the DARPA effort previously discussed.
Launched roughly six months ago as a copassenger on one of SpaceX’s own Falcon 9 rockets, the satellite duo has been quietly performing a broad range of tests on orbit, particularly focused on general satellite operations, orbital maneuvering with SpaceX’s own custom-built electric propulsion, and – most importantly – the experimental satellites’ cutting-edge communications capabilities.
Re: Space Exploration Holdings, LLC, IBFS File No. SAT-LOA-20170726-00110Dear Ms. Dortch:Earlier this year, the Commission authorized Space Exploration Holdings, LLC(“SpaceX”) to construct, deploy, and operate a non-geostationary orbit satellite system using KuandKa-band spectrum.1 However, the Commission has deferred consideration of SpaceX’srequest with respect to the 29.3-29.5 GHz band. After reviewing this authorization in light of ourevolving constellation deployment plans, SpaceX has concluded that it no longer seeks to pursueoperations in that band at this time. Accordingly, SpaceX hereby withdraws the portion of theabove referenced application that relates to the 29.3-29.5 GHz band
QuoteRe: Space Exploration Holdings, LLC, IBFS File No. SAT-LOA-20170726-00110Dear Ms. Dortch:Earlier this year, the Commission authorized Space Exploration Holdings, LLC(“SpaceX”) to construct, deploy, and operate a non-geostationary orbit satellite system using KuandKa-band spectrum.1 However, the Commission has deferred consideration of SpaceX’srequest with respect to the 29.3-29.5 GHz band. After reviewing this authorization in light of ourevolving constellation deployment plans, SpaceX has concluded that it no longer seeks to pursueoperations in that band at this time. Accordingly, SpaceX hereby withdraws the portion of theabove referenced application that relates to the 29.3-29.5 GHz band
Quote from: AncientU on 08/10/2018 10:40 pmUS military/DoD appears to be involved(first reference above, page 3):QuoteSpaceX is working with a manufacturer of conformal antennas for tactical aircraftMaybe this is related to the DARPA effort previously discussed.If we're talking tactical aircraft - they may lose their data link if performing interesting maneuvers, unless they have more than one antenna. Though probably dogfighting is vanishingly rare and even trying to dodge missiles doesn't happen too often, so it may not matter if you lose the connection briefly when rolled over significantly (never mind pretending to be Maverick in an inverted dive with a Mig).Though it certainly would be an interesting test of the system to just start doing barrel or aileron rolls and see how well the data link does with loss / regaining signal and retransmission, how much bandwidth it can maintain at what roll rates.
AvWeek article documenting AFRL (Air Force Research Laboratory) doing research.AvWeek... Quote>... Air Force test aircraft, Beal says. The team will then fly the aircraft, a Beechcraft C-12J based at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, directly under the associated satellites and establish a communications path. ...<
>... Air Force test aircraft, Beal says. The team will then fly the aircraft, a Beechcraft C-12J based at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, directly under the associated satellites and establish a communications path. ...<
Though it certainly would be an interesting test of the system to just start doing barrel or aileron rolls and see how well the data link does with loss / regaining signal and retransmission, how much bandwidth it can maintain at what roll rates.
Quote from: biosehnsucht on 08/13/2018 06:41 pmThough it certainly would be an interesting test of the system to just start doing barrel or aileron rolls and see how well the data link does with loss / regaining signal and retransmission, how much bandwidth it can maintain at what roll rates.Can a C12J do barrel rolls, inverted flight or other acrobatics? I don't know the Beechcraft line at all. This article suggests limited, if any, acrobatics. if so the investigation might also need some other aircraft types eventually.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechcraft_C-12_Huron
SpaceX will perform a series of tests with the integrated airborne prototype terminal that is similar to the tests contemplated with other fixed earth stations under its current authorization. These include antenna static angles from 0 to 40 degrees from boresight, and then varying motion for representative roll and pitch rates of a high performance aircraft.
From SpaceX's STA modification request QuoteSpaceX will perform a series of tests with the integrated airborne prototype terminal that is similar to the tests contemplated with other fixed earth stations under its current authorization. These include antenna static angles from 0 to 40 degrees from boresight, and then varying motion for representative roll and pitch rates of a high performance aircraft.
