In February 2018, SpaceX made headlines with the successful launch of its Falcon Heavy rocket. This event demonstrated SpaceX’s impressive capabilities. Shortly after, SpaceX quietly launched its first Starlink satellites, Tintin A and B, marking the beginning of an ambitious project to create a vast network of internet satellites. By the end of 2020, SpaceX had launched around 1,000 Starlink satellites, but this rapid pace didn’t continue indefinitely.
At the start of 2021, SpaceX was launching satellites almost every week. However, after June, there was a sudden pause. This article explores why SpaceX decided to halt Starlink launches, the decline in their commercial satellite launches, and what the future might hold for SpaceX’s launch schedule.
Before Starlink, SpaceX primarily earned revenue by launching satellites for other companies and transporting cargo to the International Space Station. The introduction of Starlink provided more work for the Falcon 9 rockets, but since SpaceX was essentially its own customer, it faced significant financial losses. Although Starlink is now operational and generating some revenue, its coverage is limited, and it is not yet profitable. The cost to produce each Starlink user kit is about twice the selling price, indicating that improvements are needed for Starlink to succeed financially.
A key feature of the Starlink constellation is the ability for satellites to communicate with each other. Initially, Starlink satellites could only connect with ground stations, which slowed down data transmission over long distances. To improve this, SpaceX designed Starlink satellites to eventually include lasers that can transmit large amounts of data between satellites, forming a global network. This is crucial because the speed of light in space is faster than through the fiber optic cables that carry most internet traffic under the sea.
However, these laser-equipped satellites were not ready for launch. SpaceX decided against continuing the production and launch of older satellites that would soon be outdated. In Washington, SpaceX’s factory can produce about 120 satellites each month. It is likely that production was paused in early summer to redesign the manufacturing process for the new satellites.
The last dedicated Starlink launch was in May, with three additional satellites launched in a rideshare mission in June. After that, SpaceX went nearly two months without a launch. This decline wasn’t limited to Starlink; SpaceX’s commercial satellite business has also seen fewer launches since 2018. This trend is due to changes in the satellite industry, where satellites have become smaller and more capable. For small satellites, booking an entire Falcon 9 launch isn’t cost-effective if only a fraction of the payload capacity is used. Consequently, small satellites often launch on smaller rockets or share rides with other satellites.
Starlink launches resumed in mid-September with the new laser-equipped satellites. As SpaceX continues to develop Starlink, their future launches will look different. SpaceX plans to launch Starlink version 2, featuring larger satellites. To launch many of these at once, SpaceX needs the Starship to be operational; otherwise, Starlink might struggle to become profitable. The success of both Starlink and Starship remains uncertain, but it’s thrilling to watch these projects unfold.
To realize this future, SpaceX needs a team of top engineers and technicians. Many people are now learning independently through the internet. Brilliant is a platform that teaches critical thinking and problem-solving through interactive experiences. If you’re interested in space, science, math, or engineering, Brilliant offers a variety of courses designed to develop a deep understanding of concepts, allowing you to apply knowledge to real-world situations.
To learn more about Brilliant and support the channel, visit brilliant.org/primalspace for a 20% discount on the yearly subscription. If you want to support the channel further, consider becoming a Patron for exclusive access to our Discord server and input on future videos. Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more exciting content!
Research the evolution of satellite communication technologies, focusing on the transition from ground station communication to inter-satellite laser communication. Prepare a presentation that explains the benefits and challenges of these technologies, and discuss how they impact global internet connectivity.
Analyze SpaceX’s business model, particularly focusing on the financial implications of being its own customer with Starlink. Discuss the challenges SpaceX faces in making Starlink profitable and propose potential strategies to overcome these challenges.
Participate in a debate on the future of satellite launches. One side will argue for the continued use of large rockets like Falcon 9, while the other will advocate for smaller, more frequent launches using smaller rockets. Consider factors such as cost, efficiency, and technological advancements.
Work in teams to design a hypothetical satellite constellation for a specific purpose, such as global internet coverage or climate monitoring. Consider factors like satellite size, orbit, communication technology, and launch strategy. Present your design and justify your choices.
Participate in an interactive workshop where you will learn about the engineering challenges of building and launching satellites. Use simulation software to design a satellite and plan its launch, considering factors such as payload capacity and orbital dynamics.
This video is supported by Brilliant. In February 2018, SpaceX launched the Falcon Heavy rocket for the first time. This was an incredible launch that showcased SpaceX’s capabilities. Just a few weeks later, another SpaceX launch took place with much less publicity: the launch of satellites Tintin A and B, SpaceX’s very first Starlink satellites. With plans to create a vast constellation of internet satellites, SpaceX began producing and launching Starlink satellites at an impressive rate. By the end of 2020, they had around 1,000 Starlink satellites in orbit. However, this remarkable launch cadence didn’t last forever.
After launching satellites almost weekly at the start of 2021, SpaceX suddenly paused after June. In this video, we’ll explore why SpaceX decided to put their Starlink launches on hold, why their commercial satellite launches have decreased, and what the future of SpaceX’s launch schedule might look like.
Before Starlink, SpaceX primarily generated revenue by launching other companies’ satellites and sending cargo to the International Space Station. The introduction of Starlink provided the Falcon 9 with much more work. However, since SpaceX was its own customer, it was incurring significant losses on these launches. Now that Starlink is operational, SpaceX is beginning to generate some revenue, but its coverage is still relatively limited, and Starlink is far from profitable. The cost to manufacture each Starlink user kit is approximately double the price at which they are sold, indicating that Starlink still has many improvements to make before achieving success.
A crucial aspect of the Starlink constellation is the ability for satellites to communicate with each other. Initially, Starlink satellites could only communicate with ground stations, which meant that data traveling long distances had to take a slower route. To send data quickly around the Earth, it makes more sense to transfer data from one satellite to another. Therefore, SpaceX designed Starlink to eventually include lasers that can transmit large amounts of data to nearby satellites, creating a network that can reach any part of the globe. This is significant because the speed of light in space is much faster than the fiber optic cables under the sea, which carry most of our internet traffic.
However, these new laser-equipped satellites were not yet ready. SpaceX did not want to continue producing and launching the older satellites, which would soon become outdated. SpaceX manufactures all of its Starlink satellites in a factory in Washington, where around 120 satellites can be produced each month. At the beginning of summer, SpaceX likely shut down its production line to redesign the manufacturing process for the new satellites.
The final dedicated Starlink launch occurred in May, with an additional three Starlink satellites launched during a rideshare mission in June. Following that, SpaceX went nearly two months without launching a single rocket. It’s worth noting that it wasn’t just Starlink launches that declined in 2021; SpaceX’s commercial satellite business has seen a decrease in launches since 2018. This trend is largely due to changes in the satellite industry. In recent years, satellites have transitioned from being large and bulky to smaller, more capable machines. For small satellites, it often isn’t cost-effective to book an entire Falcon 9 launch if only a fraction of the space and payload capacity will be used. As a result, small satellites typically launch on smaller rockets or share rides with other satellites.
Starlink launches resumed in mid-September, this time featuring the new laser satellites. As SpaceX continues to develop Starlink, the future of their launches will look very different. In the near future, SpaceX plans to launch Starlink version 2, which will consist of larger satellites. To launch many of these at once, it is crucial for SpaceX to have Starship operational; otherwise, Starlink may struggle to become profitable. Currently, the success of both Starlink and Starship is uncertain, and only time will tell. Regardless, it is exciting to witness these remarkable projects come to fruition.
To make this future a reality, SpaceX needs to build a team of the world’s best engineers and technicians. Nowadays, more people are acquiring knowledge independently through the internet. There are various ways to learn about a topic online, but Brilliant teaches critical thinking and problem-solving through hands-on experiences. If you have an interest in space, science, math, or engineering, Brilliant has you covered. Brilliant is a STEM learning platform offering a wide range of interactive courses designed to teach problem-solving skills. It focuses on developing a deep understanding of concepts rather than just memorizing facts and formulas, allowing you to apply knowledge to everyday life.
To support the channel and learn more about Brilliant, visit brilliant.org/primalspace for a 20% discount on the yearly subscription. If you’d like to support the channel further, consider becoming a Patron, where you can provide input on each video and gain exclusive access to our Discord server. Thank you for watching, and I’ll see you in the next video.
Satellite – An artificial body placed in orbit around the earth or another planet in order to collect information or for communication purposes. – The university’s engineering department successfully launched a satellite to monitor climate changes.
Communication – The transmission of information by various means, such as electromagnetic waves or fiber optics. – Advances in communication technology have significantly improved data transmission between satellites and ground stations.
Engineering – The application of scientific and mathematical principles to design and build structures, machines, and other devices. – The engineering team developed a new propulsion system for the spacecraft.
Launch – The act of sending a spacecraft or satellite into space. – The launch of the new satellite was delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Space – The physical universe beyond the earth’s atmosphere. – Researchers are studying the effects of prolonged exposure to space on human health.
Starlink – A satellite internet constellation being constructed by SpaceX to provide satellite Internet access. – Starlink aims to provide high-speed internet to remote areas around the globe.
Lasers – Devices that emit light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. – Lasers are used in engineering to precisely cut materials and in communication systems for data transmission.
Production – The process of creating or manufacturing goods, often involving complex engineering and technology. – The production of semiconductors requires a highly controlled environment to ensure quality and precision.
Internet – A global network of interconnected computers that communicate freely and share and exchange information. – The development of faster internet speeds has been crucial for the advancement of online education and research.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Recent advancements in technology have enabled more efficient renewable energy systems.
