What exactly is Elon Musk’s Starlink?

Starlink is currently the subject of much discussion again – the international satellite internet service operated by the space company SpaceX.

The aim of the project is to provide fast internet worldwide, especially in remote regions that have previously had poor or no internet coverage.

SpaceX needs little introduction. The well-known American company was founded by Elon Musk back in 2002.

How does Starlink work?

Starlink relies on a network of thousands of satellites operating in low Earth orbits (between 340 and 1.000 kilometers altitude). These satellites communicate with each other via laser and send data to Earth, where it is received by special receivers called "Dishi" antennas.

The antenna is connected to a router that distributes the Internet throughout the home or office. Thanks to its low orbit, Starlink offers low latency of around 20 to 40 milliseconds and download speeds of several hundred megabits per second.

areas of application and significance

Starlink already has over 7.000 satellites in orbit worldwide (as of early 2025) and covers more than 70 countries. It is used both for private households and in crisis areas.

In Ukraine, Starlink has played a crucial role in military communications and drone control since the start of the Russian attack in 2022. It is considered the "backbone" of communications there.

advantages and challenges

Starlink enables internet access in hard-to-reach areas and offers an alternative to traditional cable or fiber optic connections. However, there is also criticism.

The high number of satellites creates space debris and could affect the night sky. In addition, using them is expensive - depending on the speed, monthly fees range from $120 to $5.000.

Conclusion

Starlink shows how satellite technology can revolutionize the Internet – but it also presents challenges.

With download rates of 100 to 300 Mbps and low latency, Starlink offers fast internet, even in underserved regions.

Sierks Media / © Photos: mobilinchen (1), MikeMareen (1), de.depositphotos.com