Just three days after receiving its third batch of Starlink terminals from SpaceX and Elon Musk, Ukraine has received a fourth shipment of hardware from the latter.
Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation, made the announcement on Friday afternoon.
“A new batch of Starlink stations! While Russia is blocking access to the Internet, Ukraine is becoming more open to the entire world. Ukraine is the truth. The truth always wins. Thank you, @elonmusk, the Government of Poland, and Orlen,” said Fedorov.
A picture of the inside of a delivery truck is showing at least 90 or more Starlink terminals, it appears.
A new batch of Starlink stations! While Russia is blocking access to the Internet, Ukraine is becoming more open to the entire world. Ukraine is the truth. The truth always wins. Thank you, @elonmusk, the Government of Poland, and Orlen. pic.twitter.com/TP0kpn3rPS
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) March 18, 2022
Starlink is a satellite constellation numbering over 2,000, in low Earth orbit, created by Musk’s SpaceX. These satellites allow for high-speed internet in rural areas, that typically do not have access to internet at all. SpaceX has created the satellite internet network by launching batches into orbit via its Falcon 9 rocket.
To access Starlink internet, one needs a satellite dish kit from SpaceX to connect to the latter in the skies. The Starlink kit includes a wireless router for users to connect devices to, either through a wired or wireless connection.
For those in Ukraine, SpaceX has also modified software to allow for Starlink dishes to work in moving vehicles, and also to use low power to operate (cigarette adapter levels of power).
So far, here’s the timeline of Starlink terminals received by Ukraine, sent by SpaceX and Musk:
SpaceX confirmed previously there were “several hundred” Starlink terminals in Ukraine. Musk warned users of risks using Starlink, as the latter’s dish and its heat signal can be picked up by invading Russian armies, and thus become the target of an attack.
The Starlink dishes arrived in Ukraine through Poland yet again, with apparent help from Polish oil retailer, Oren.
According to The Times, Starlink satellite internet is powering drones used by Ukraine to attack invading Russian armies.
Aerorozvidka most sophisticated drones are connected using Starlink, a system donated by Elon Musk that uses satellites in a low orbit to enable “high data rate” activities https://t.co/1fa8xfdPsU
— The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) March 18, 2022
SpaceX is set to launch another batch of 53 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit tonight, at 12:42am ET (4:42 UTC) on Sunday morning, from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
