SpaceX has updated the Starlink satellite dish – it has become larger and more powerful
SpaceX has unveiled a new Starlink satellite antenna aimed at residential users and designed to improve the quality of broadband communications. The company has published specifications, images, and a video of the new antenna on its website. The new device is slightly larger and consumes more power, but potentially provides better communication quality. But the most noticeable change is the built-in stand, as SpaceX has decided to abandon the rotating antenna.
The antenna finally got rid of the swivel mechanism in the stand. SpaceX decided to limit itself to a tilt-adjustable support. It can also be mounted on the roof of a building. The new model has a higher level of water resistance – IP67, which should provide dust protection and the ability to withstand immersion in water to a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes.
Compared to the second-generation Starlink antenna, the new model is slightly larger, with a length of 60 cm compared to 51 cm for its predecessor and the same width of 30 cm. Another important change is the power consumption. The new model has an average power consumption of 75 to 100 W, which is 25 W higher than the second-generation antenna.
SpaceX claims that the new antenna is designed to offer consumers“a high-performance solution that outperforms previous models of SpaceX Services fixed user terminals.” SpaceX plans to sell the antenna with its new Gen 3 router, which supports Wi-Fi 6 and has two Ethernet ports. However, there is no information on the price and availability of this device.
In September, SpaceX also received FCC approval to sell a more compact version of the Starlink antenna. But so far, there are no details about this device on their website.
