SpaceX has released several headlines this year, but one of its most notable advances is Starlink, its satellite internet service that could provide high-speed Internet to remote people.
The company now has only about 1,000 low-Earth orbiting satellites that help provide a connection to locations across Canada and the northern U.S. These satellites work by connecting to “earth stations” that can receive satellite signals and channel broadband Internet to homes or businesses via fiber optic cable.
As SpaceX works to expand its capacity to more and more customers and geographies, it needs to build more ground stations to pick up Starlink signals. But what are these earth stations like? Reddit user ‘andrew867’ came across one in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, taking pictures to share with the world.
Earth stations are a crucial element of the Starlink network, which connects the satellite system to the backbone of the terrestrial internet.
Reddit user andrew867 pointed out in his post that “Eastlink has direct access to the only viable dark fiber / wavelength service that reaches the province from Nova Scotia. Zayo, Rogers and the NL Government have access to wires but since Eastlink has locations in Nova Scotia it made sense to go with No doubt Starlink will create more uplink across the province to improve coverage of the existing fiber route. “
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All of this is an interesting idea of how SpaceX is experiencing the construction of its Starlink system, leveraging existing vendors to make their services available.
A sign at the bottom of one of the domes reads:
“Owned by SpaceX. Prototype: Cannot be sold or leased This unit is for demonstration purposes only. This unit prototype may not comply with European Union directives. It’s for only technical evaluation. This device has not been authorized as required by Federal Communications Commission regulations. This device may not be sold or leased or sold or rented until permission is obtained. Therefore, the property must remain in SpaceX. “
In the image below, you can see the SpaceX identifier (SPXID) attached to the bottom of the dome.
SpaceX will continue to build ground stations as it obtains more approvals from regulators to do so in the United States and Canada.