SpaceX has added Swarm to its Starlink website, officially launching low cost global data for Internet of Things connectivity, for $5 per month, noted CNBC’s Michael Sheetz.
Last year, SpaceX acquired satellite data start-up Swarm based in Mountain View, California, which now operates as a subsidiary of the company. As of last year, Swarm had 120 of its textbook-sized satellites in orbit. The company was valued at $85 million in early 2019, according to CNBC.
“Swarm provides low-bandwidth satellite connectivity for only $5/month using ultra-small satellites in a low orbit. Swarm satellites cover every point on Earth, enabling IoT devices to affordably operate in any location,” says the website. “Swarm provides the world’s lowest cost, global connectivity for IoT devices,” explains SpaceX.
“Swarm’s satellites orbit at 450-550 km altitude, providing fully global coverage. The satellites are spread out like strings of pearls into a series of distributed sun-synchronous orbital planes. This configuration allows the satellites to maintain reliable global network coverage,” details the Swarm website.
SpaceX’s acquisition also “has the smallest operational satellites in space, at just ¼U (11 x 11 x 2.8 cm). Because of their small size, they cost much less to launch than most satellites, and we pass these savings along to our customers.”
Available for order now is the Swarm M138 Modem, Swarm Eval Kit and Swarm Asset Tracker, all at introductory pricing of $89, $449 and $99 respectively until November 30, 2022.
The Swarm modem embeds into any IoT device, while the Eval Kit allows for messaging and IoT product development out of the box. The Swarm Asset Tracker let you track location data using the company’s constellation with 100% global coverage.
