Unlike traditional geostationary satellites that orbit at ~35,786 km, Starlink satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at approximately 540–560 km. This reduced distance significantly lowers propagation delay, enabling latency comparable to ground-based networks.
Starlink Constellation Architecture
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How the System Works
User Terminal ("Dishy")
Each subscriber is equipped with a phased-array antenna that tracks satellites overhead.
- Uplink (user → satellite): Ku-band (14.0–14.5 GHz)
- Downlink (satellite → user): Ku-band (10.7–12.7 GHz)
Starlink Satellites
The satellites function as dynamic relay nodes. They can transmit data directly to Earth or route it across the constellation using optical inter-satellite links (OISLs). These near-infrared laser links (~1550 nm) allow traffic to bypass ground infrastructure entirely, enabling transoceanic and polar coverage.
Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISLs)
- Technology: Near-infrared laser communications
- Wavelength: ~1550 nm
- Purpose: Enable satellite-to-satellite data routing
- Benefit: Bypass ground infrastructure for global coverage
Ground Gateways
When ground connectivity is required, satellites link to high-capacity gateway stations tied into the internet backbone.
- Uplink (gateway → satellite): Ka-band (27.5–30.0 GHz)
- Downlink (satellite → gateway): Ka-band (17.8–18.6 GHz, 18.8–19.3 GHz)
Router & Wi-Fi
At the user's premises, the terminal connects to a Starlink router which distributes connectivity locally using standard Wi-Fi bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz on newer hardware).
Technical Specifications Summary
Orbital Characteristics
- Altitude: 540–560 km (LEO)
- vs GEO: ~35,786 km
- Benefit: Reduced latency
- Coverage: Global including polar regions
Frequency Allocation
- User Links: Ku-band
- Gateway Links: Ka-band
- Inter-Satellite: Optical (~1550nm)
- Local WiFi: 2.4/5/6 GHz
Why It Matters
Starlink integrates LEO satellite architecture, Ku/Ka-band spectrum, and optical crosslinks into a cohesive network capable of delivering service to virtually any location on Earth. For enterprises, governments, and remote communities alike, it provides:
- Reduced latency compared to GEO satellite systems
- Global reach, including underserved and hard-to-reach regions
- Resiliency, with multi-path routing via inter-satellite links
- Scalability through constellation expansion
This combination makes Starlink not simply an alternative, but a transformative addition to the global connectivity landscape.