Emerging Technologies Challenge Starlink's Satellite Internet Dominance
Full Transcript
New Mexico-based company Sceye is developing airships that will beam satellite connectivity to customers from the stratosphere. This technology, known as high-altitude platform stations, or HAPS, aims to provide high-speed internet at lower costs compared to satellite megaconstellations like SpaceX's Starlink.
Richard Deakin, CEO of World Mobile Stratospheric, states that their autonomous plane, the Stratomast, will be powered by liquid hydrogen, allowing it to hover at 60,000 feet for six days and provide connectivity for up to 500,000 users with speeds of 200 megabits per second.
In contrast, Starlink’s current direct-to-device offering only reaches 17 Mbps, primarily supporting emergency text messaging. The Stratomast, with a wingspan comparable to a Boeing 787, can cover areas as large as 6,000 square miles.
World Mobile Stratospheric estimates an operational cost of about $40 million a year, which translates to just 60 pence per person per month for Scotland's 5.5 million residents. This is in stark contrast to Starlink's lowest subscription at $40 per month.
Deakin emphasizes that the bandwidth issues faced by satellite constellations like Starlink limit their effectiveness, particularly in densely populated or conflict-affected regions. Mikkel Frandsen, founder of Sceye, argues that satellite constellations can only make a small dent in global connectivity needs and cannot serve billions.
Sceye's airship, powered by solar energy, has successfully completed several test flights, overcoming challenges that led to the failure of Google's Loon project. In June 2023, Sceye secured a strategic investment from SoftBank, while also winning a NASA contract for Earth-observation payloads.
Both Sceye and World Mobile are targeting commercial operations by 2027. Deakin notes that while satellite internet is effective, HAPS systems can be more agile and adaptable, especially during geopolitical tensions, as they can be deployed quickly.
They are also seen as a more sustainable solution compared to the growing number of satellites in low Earth orbit, which poses risks of collision and atmospheric pollution. Deakin believes that once Stratomast is operational, outdated satellites will be relics of the past.