NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 2020-070T
Starlink is SpaceX's 12000-satellite low earth orbit constellation to provide broadband Internet access.
The mass-produced spacecraft carry a communications payload using the Ku and Ka frequency bands. The satellites will employ optical inter-satellite links and phased array beam forming and digital processing technologies.
The Starlink satellites feature a flat panel design with a single solar panel and have a mass of about 260 kg. The satellites are stacked for launch without the need for an dispenser. As a propulsion system for orbit adjustion and maintenance as well as deorbiting, they use krypton-fueled Hall thrusters. The Startracker navigation system is based on the heritage of Dragon. The satellites are designed autonomously avoid collisions based on uplinked tracking data. At the end of life, the Starlink satellites are to be actively deorbited, leading to reentry. 95% of the material is expected to burn up.
Launch Date: 2020-10-06
Launch Vehicle: Falcon 9 Full Thrust
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral, United States
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office