"Star Chain" changes future travel methods?

The "Star Chain" communication satellite constellation is getting faster and faster in space. (SpaceX company website)

Test the "Star Chain" mobile communication effect on the vehicle. ("Performance connection" website)

Our special reporter Chen Shan

The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is responsible for managing the national broadcasting, television, and communications industry, recently approved the "Star Chain" satellite communication network connecting vehicles, ships, aircraft and other transportation of the "Star Chain" satellite communications network of American Space Exploration Technology Company (SpaceX). A number of Western science and technology media said on the 4th that FCC's move means that the controversial "star chain" may change the way of travel in the future.

Green lights are turned on for mobile services

The US "Global Space Observation" website said on the 4th that the Federal Communications Commission recently issued a notice that allows SpaceX to operate the "Star Chain" communication network on residents such as aircraft, ships, RVs and other residents and commercial transportation. Broadband coverage to meet the user's mobile connection needs.

According to the documents submitted by SpaceX, the "Star Chain" satellite constellation runs on the near -ground track. At present, about 2700 satellites provide high -speed Internet services globally for more than 400,000 users.

According to the US "Geek connection" website, the "Star Chain" could only provide Internet services for fixed users. Users need to purchase an antenna kit to get in touch with the satellite network. The average monthly cost is $ 110, and an antenna kit needs to charge an additional $ 599. The test shows that the "Star Chain" can reach the download speed of 50MB to 250MB per second in most positions, but if the peak period or network congestion is encountered, the network speed will decrease significantly.

The report reminds that although the FCC's mobile service for the "Star Chain" is "large green light", SpaceX has not yet opened the service. The instructions of the "Star Chain" clearly read: "We have not configured the" Star Chain "mode when you have not configured the movement."

Intent deep intervention in transportation

The Italian "Space Economy" website said on the 4th that the "Star Chain" was allowed to provide mobile communication services on the 4th, and the aviation industry would be changed first after providing mobile communication services. At present, many American airlines, including Dimei Airlines, intend to use the "Star Chain" to provide internet services during long -distance flights. At present, some airlines have provided air online services for passengers, but the price is expensive, and the speed and response of Internet access are not satisfactory. The "Star Chain" runs closer orbit, both in terms of price, network speed, or other services. In addition, the data of civil aviation passenger aircraft in the future is expected to collect the data collected by the vehicle device sensor through the "star chain" to the ground command center in real time, thereby replacing the "black box" role.

The report believes that the "Star Chain" mobile communication services also have a wider use scenario -autonomous driving. It is reported that a large amount of data will be obtained from radar, cameras, and other sensors when running. Generally, low -delayed 5G networks need to return these data to the cloud processing before guiding the vehicle's next action. However, the current coverage area of ​​5G networks is very limited, which has become one of the important obstacles to promote autonomous driving technology. The "Star Chain" that is not affected by ground communication infrastructure can provide high -speed communication services in most regions. Smart cars equipped with "Star Chain" can not only access the Internet anytime, anywhere, but also achieve assistance or autonomous driving in vast areas. Considering that SpaceX CEO Musk is also the helm of the global smart car giant Tesla, the "Star Chain" has more obvious intention to deeply intervene in transportation by obtaining mobile communication service permits.

The main obstacle to integrate the "star chain" into the vehicle is that its antenna size is too large. When SPACEX applied to the FCC application to use the "Star Chain" mobile communication services, it was specially emphasized that it will first be used for large vehicles such as trucks or RVs because its satellite antenna is too big for ordinary cars.

Facing a lot of disputes

When a number of scientific and technological media reports related news, they specifically mentioned that the "Star Chain" is facing extensive controversy from all walks of life. For example, the "Star Chain" adopts a "decentralized" connection method. Each user has server functions. "In order to achieve the best access and transmission speed, satellites can accurately understand the physical location of each user." The outside world's concerns about the privacy of user privacy. Some experts said that if SpaceX has settled several root servers in space, the "Star Chain" can even become the second independent global Internet, promoting the reinforcement of the world online territory.

Scientists have also repeatedly complained that more and more "star chains" satellites have seriously interfered with observation of ground astronomical telescope. According to SpaceX's plan, about 12,000 "Star Chain" satellites will be launched by 2024. At present, it is planned to apply for an additional 30,000 satellites to make the total number of 42,000. Amazon, which is also developing satellite Internet services, has recently requested that the FCC has "cautiously act" when approved the new plan of SpaceX to ensure that the plan will not sacrifice the "innovation from competitors".

What is even more worried about the outside world is that SpaceX has a close relationship with the Pentagon, and has participated in the confidential tests of the US military many times. It is speculated that the "Star Chain" can not only provide reliable communication services for the US military's global operations, but also equipped with the sky -based weapon system in the future, and even directly serve as a weapon platform. In addition, SpaceX also actively involved in the Russian -Ukraine conflict, providing "Star Chain" equipment to Ukraine for communication and combat command. At present, the "Star Chain" also competes directly with the US 5G network operators. American technology website Inferse said that SpaceX recently announced that if the 12GHz band is used for approval in the United States, it will interfere with the use of the "Star Chain" satellite Internet service in the United States. It is reported that the US satellite radio company Dish Network applies to use the 12GHz frequency band in high -power mobile services, and this is part of the KU band used by "Star Chain", OneWeb and other satellite network operators. In this regard, SpaceX stated in a letter written to FCC that the test showed that the proposed 5G network would cause the "Star Chain" network service to be interrupted in a 74%condition. ▲

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