Image: SpaceX
SpaceX on Wednesday highlighted a software feature for Starlink that makes its satellite internet service even more resilient in real-world conditions — especially in environments where the terminal’s view of the sky is partially obstructed by trees, buildings, or other obstacles.
According to a new Starlink Update, the system now routes traffic around obstructions with even greater efficiency using a feature SpaceX calls Starlink Beam Switching. As a user terminal communicates with overhead satellites, it “continuously builds a real-time obstruction map,” which enables it to “proactively select the best and most stable connection,” SpaceX explained.
These satellite handoffs happen automatically and frequently — many times per minute — and are “imperceptible to the user.” For mobile terminals or dynamic obstructions, Starlink says its system reacts in under 1/10th of a second, maintaining a stable internet connection without disruption.
The company added that even when a view of the sky isn’t perfect, uptime for well-installed terminals still typically reaches 99.9%, thanks to the system’s ability to dynamically switch connections and the growing density of Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellite constellation.
To assist users further, the Starlink app includes tools for both pre-installation site assessment and post-installation monitoring. Users can preview potential obstructions and view live data showing exactly where their signal is being blocked and how it affects performance.
This upgrade follows two other major developments for Starlink this week: the introduction of ACH direct debit payments for U.S. customers and the expansion of its Direct-to-Cell service to support IoT devices, including beehive monitoring systems in New Zealand.
