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mattgibson | 2 years ago

Given it's already been done before by Iridium [0], it's hard to see how it would take centuries for a more efficient version of the same thing to emerge if Spacex was not around. Especially given the general technology progress since Iridium initially launched.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium_satellite_constellatio...

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mensetmanusman|2 years ago

Starlink is comparable to Iridium if you are discussing ‘internet from the sky’ but the details are more complex.

survirtual|2 years ago

They are not comparable.

Starlink offers highspeed (actually, not marketing gibberish), low latency internet around the world at a price people can actually afford and without unreasonable datacaps. This is possible because they are mass producing phased array antennas, something that was out of reach of common affordability before Starlink.

Starlink is comparable to Iridium like dial-up internet is comparable to fiber. Just go to Iridium's website and try to figure out what they actually sell to anyone who doesn't have elite pockets.