SpaceX plans Starlink broadband for trucks, boats and planes [Updated]

Update at 6 pm ET: Although a SpaceX document said that Starlink terminals could be deployed “in passenger cars,” said SpaceX CEO Elon Musk indicated on Twitter today, passenger cars are not on the plan. “Do not connect Tesla cars to Starlink, as our terminal is very large. This is for aircraft, ships, large trucks and RVs,” he wrote.

The original story follows:

SpaceX on Friday asked the Federal Communications Commission for permission to deploy broadband via Starlink satellite in moving vehicles.

The application describes SpaceX’s plans for Moving Ground Stations (ESIMs) for automobiles, ships and aircraft. SpaceX said it is “looking for[ing] authority to deploy and operate these ground stations … in all of the United States and its territories … in the territorial waters of the United States and in international waters worldwide, and … in US registered aircraft operating worldwide. world and outside the USA – registered aircraft operating in US airspace. “

“Granting this application would serve the public interest by authorizing a new class of land-based components for SpaceX’s satellite system that will expand the range of broadband features available for vehicles moving in the United States and for moving ships and aircraft in around the world, “said SpaceX the FCC. Internet users are no longer “willing to give up connectivity while on the move, whether driving a truck across the country, transporting a cargo ship from Europe to a United States port or during a domestic or international flight,” SpaceX said.

“Electrically identical” to Starlink home terminals

The app said that vehicle-mounted terminals will be similar to Starlink satellite dishes designed for home Internet service, with a few important differences:

The SpaceX Service’s ESIMs are electrically identical to their previously authorized consumer user terminals, but have mounts that allow them to be installed on vehicles, vessels and aircraft, which are suitable for these environments. SpaceX Service ESIMs will only communicate with SpaceX satellites visible on the horizon above a minimum elevation angle of 25 degrees. The proposed phased array user terminal will track SpaceX’s NGSO [non-geostationary orbit] satellites passing within its field of view. As the terminal directs the transmission beam, it automatically changes the power to maintain a constant level in the receiving antenna of your target satellite, compensating for variations in the antenna gain and loss of path associated with the angle of direction.

ESIM terminals can be deployed “in passenger cars or pleasure boats,” SpaceX said in a radiation risk analysis sent with its order. ESIM terminals can also be deployed “on the masts of ships or on the tops of trucks that are generally not accessible to the public”. The devices “are compatible and will not result in exposure levels that exceed the applicable radiation risk limits,” said SpaceX.

The SpaceX app noted that it already has permission from the FCC to deploy up to 1 million user terminals in the United States. The license requested to allow terminals on vehicles in motion would apparently not increase the total number of terminals. But SpaceX separately asked the FCC for permission to increase the permitted number of terminals from 1 million to 5 million.

While Starlink’s home Internet service can be configured by users themselves, this may not be the case with Starlink for vehicles in motion. SpaceX said it “will ensure the installation of ESIM terminals on vehicles and boats by qualified installers who have an understanding of the radiation environment of the antenna and the most appropriate measures to maximize the protection of the general public and the people who operate the vehicle and equipment.”

ESIMs will transmit in the 14.0-14.5 GHz band and receive in the 10.7-12.7 GHz band, and will comply with spectrum sharing rules to avoid interference with other users of the spectrum, SpaceX said. SpaceX is already fighting Dish Network over Dish’s claim that Starlink could interfere with satellite TV and 5G mobile services that may eventually be allowed in the 12 GHz band.

Starlink for Tesla cars (and others)

Starlink terminals for moving vehicles could theoretically be installed on any car brand. But Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, would have a special interest in bringing Starlink to Tesla vehicles.

“Tesla’s electric cars are connected to the Internet for features like video streaming and over-the-air updates, with the company even offering a ‘Premium Connectivity’ service as an option today,” said a Teslarati article about the app from SpaceX. “With Starlink’s ability to connect to the Internet in a moving vehicle, Tesla would no longer have to rely on existing mobile Internet providers for its cars.”

Musk tweeted in October 2020 that Starlink could be deployed in fast moving vehicles. “Everything is slow for a phased array antenna,” he wrote at the time.