Satellite Internet: Antarctic research station tests Starlink

Starlink wants to bring broadband internet to the most remote places in the world. One step closer to the goal, a satellite internet service is currently being tested at an Antarctic research station. The US National Science Foundation (NSF) announced this on Twitter.

The site is McMurdo Station, which is operated by the US administration through the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). It is hoped that the new access will provide higher bandwidths and better communications to support the on-site research work. No specific numbers are given for available bandwidth and response time.

USAP Scholars Supported by NSF in # Antarctica over the moon! Starlink is testing polar service with a newly deployed user terminal at McMurdo Station, increasing bandwidth and connectivity to support science. pic.twitter.com/c3kLGk8XBV

– National Science Foundation (NSF) September 14, 2022

Advertising as a satellite operator is a milestone for SpaceX. The company also states that Starlink is now represented on all seven continents Via Twitter. But this only applies if you include test farms. The service cannot be officially booked in Africa and Asia yet.

More popular and more powerful satellites

SpaceX now has 3,200 satellites in low Earth orbit and the number is expected to grow exponentially. The company currently has permission to launch about 12,000 satellites. In all, SpaceX plans to operate more than 30,000.

Starlink V2 satellites should also be available next year. These are larger and stronger than the first generation. They make it possible, for example, for smartphones to have direct access to the satellite network. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk recently announced a partnership with T-Mobile in the USA.