SpaceX Wasn’t Allowed To Place Starlink Satellites In Low Orbits Due To Risks To The ISS
According to media reports, SpaceX was not allowed to deploy a constellation of Starlink satellites in low orbits due to the potential danger to the ISS. Elon Musk’s company intended to put satellites into such orbits in order to reduce the ping of its customers – in this case, the easiest way to do this is by reducing the distance between the receiver and the transmitter.
“SpaceX cannot deploy satellites intended to operate at altitudes below the International Space Station,” the commission said in a statement released last week.
There are currently about 6,000 Starlink satellites in low-Earth orbit, operating at an altitude of about 550 km and providing Internet access to more than 2.5 million users around the world. Satellite Internet connection speeds are slower than most fiber-based cable networks, and the average delay in data transmission is above 30 ms at best and can double as a result of various factors. However, in remote regions this is the best available solution.
According to SpaceX representatives, the risk of collision in low orbits is 8-10 times lower than in high orbits. Also, the satellites placed on them are easier to deorbit when their service life ends. Alas, the American Federal Communications Commission does not agree with these arguments and does not plan to allow SpaceX to use low orbits in the next few years.
