Edit: SpaceX Starlink
In: Technology
Ultimately, the end goal, when the entire constellation of StarLink satellites will be online, is for SpaceX to act as an internet service provider, but one that can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
Other satellite internet providers have already existed for many years, however all of those operate in geostationary orbit – which is 35,786 km (22,236 mi) away from the ground.
Because those satellites are so far away, the latency makes the service less than ideal for any real time communications – for example you wouldn’t be able to play a game online without such lag that it’s virtually unplayable.
The major difference with StarLink satellites is that they will operate in low earth orbit, only about 550 km (340 mi) above ground, and they will be able to provide a connection with an even lower latency than what is possible from your local internet service provider.
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