SpaceX's Starlink program aims to provide affordable broadband internet access across the world. It utilizes small satellites in low Earth orbit. The first Starlink satellite batch was launched in 2019 while the latest batch of satellites was launched last month.
SpaceX is
in talks with several airlines to allow them to provide faster inflight Wi-Fi
to passengers using Starlink internet service.
Already
some airlines do provide inflight Wi-Fi service, working with other internet
providers, but SpaceX's Vice President Jonathan Hofeller said at the Connected
Aviation Intelligence Summit that "Passengers and customers want a great
experience that systems simply cannot provide."
While
existing inflight internet providers utilize satellites in distant orbits,
Starlink's satellites orbit closer to earth. This could boost the speed of
Wi-Fi. Hofeller added that in this way airlines can have "connectivity
anywhere they go". He also said that SpaceX will have inter-satellite
link, what they call 'Space Lasers', for trans-oceanic flights.
Exact
time of launch of inflight Wi-Fi service by Starlink has not been given but the
company believes that it will be hopefully sooner than later.
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