There are serious tests currently ongoing of the polar service of the Starlink internet constellation in various remote areas of the planet. According to Space.com, Starlink will beam into the United States Antarctic Program’s (USAP) McMurdo Station research base. SpaceX has been backing Starlink’s prospects as a fast internet service provider to underprivileged towns and remote areas.
The US National Science Foundation said that the NSF-funded USAP researchers in Antarctica are thrilled to be piloting Starlink’s polar coverage with a recently deployed mobile terminal at the research station. They anticipate this will improve the connectivity and capacity required to facilitate science studies.
Expanded bandwidth across Antarctica
The McMurdo Station, a significant climate and geological research hub, have satellites uplink from a conventional internet service provider. However, because of the intense rivalry, there is limited bandwidth available. Scientists expect that by employing a Starlink terminal, this problem will be resolved.
To enable individuals in these locations to access speedier internet, Starlink has often aspired to provide low-latency, high-speed internet connections to the most remote places of the world.
In 2021, SpaceX was granted permission by the Federal Communications Commission to launch 2,824 satellites into a lower orbit in order to bring high-speed internet access to individuals who do not currently have access to it. Interestingly, the approval was upheld last month.
SpaceX to offer satellite internet to McMurdo Station
However, they’ll now provide satellite internet to McMurdo Station. According to PC Magazine, the research station formerly depended on satellite connectivity from other suppliers. However, housing more than 1,000 people, the research station now shares a 17Mbps connection with broadband quality.
In contrast, Starlink provides quicker bandwidth because of the low orbits of its satellite. Firms will receive 100 to 350Mbps through a high-performance satellite that can resist temperatures as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit, while residents will receive download rates of 50 to 200 Mbps. SpaceX has launched close to 3,200 low-orbit Starlink satellites and 61 satellites in the past few years.
