SpaceX has launched Starlink Maritime on Thursday, which offers “high-speed, low-latency internet with up to 350 Mbps download while at sea.”
The company says Starlink Maritime offers connectivity at sea around the globe, mentioning, “from merchant vessels to oil rigs to premium yachts, Starlink Maritime allows you to connect from the most remote waters across the world, just like you would in the office or at home.”
As for the durability of Starlink’s dish, SpaceX says “in addition to withstanding extreme cold, heat, hail, sleet, heavy rain, and gale force winds, Starlink also holds up against rocket engines.”
“Starlink is currently being used to get high-quality video of SpaceX rocket landings at sea, providing continuous coverage in the face of engines capable of generating up to 190,000 lbs of force,” adds the company.
Starlink Maritime requires just “minimal above deck space, and comes with an easy-to-install mount,” says SpaceX. All that is needed is an unobstructed view of the sky. The Starlink app will provide details about blockage zones and “determine the best install location on your vessel.”
In addition to withstanding extreme cold, heat, hail, sleet, heavy rain, and gale force winds, Starlink is rugged enough to withstand rocket landings. Here’s live video captured on a SpaceX droneship at sea with and without Starlink pic.twitter.com/EKhLrjLhlq
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 7, 2022
SpaceX says you can “remotely monitor and manage your Starlink fleet from a single portal,” adding that “Starlink implements end-to-end encryption to protect your data and confidentiality of user traffic.”
Starlink Maritime, like Starlink RV, is a pay-as-you-go service, allowing customers to pause and un-pause service at anytime in monthly increments.
You can see the Starlink Maritime map coverage below:
As for cost, two high performance Starlinks and pipe adapter mounts are included, shipping in two weeks. The hardware cost is $10,000 USD plus $100 USD for shipping and handling. Service costs $5,000 USD per month, so Starlink Maritime is clearly geared towards businesses and those with deep wallets.
“Customers will have the option to upgrade to a flat panel Starlink and mounting hardware in Q4 2022,” says SpaceX.
The launch of Starlink Maritime comes one week after the FCC approved the satellite internet service aboard moving boats, planes, trucks and more.
Earlier today, SpaceX launched another batch of 53 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit, expanding coverage of its internet service.
