What is Starlink and Why Does it Matter?

Starlink is SpaceX’s ambitious satellite internet constellation designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to virtually any location on Earth. Launched in 2019, the project has rapidly evolved into the world’s largest satellite constellation, fundamentally changing how we think about global internet infrastructure.

Unlike traditional satellite internet services that rely on geostationary satellites positioned 35,786 kilometers above Earth, Starlink operates in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 340-570 kilometers. This proximity dramatically reduces latency and enables broadband-quality internet speeds previously impossible with satellite technology.