Aerospace

SpaceX’s satellite internet service is coming to planes

SpaceX’s satellite internet service Starlink will soon be accessible aboard some planes

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With the official launch of Starlink Aviation next year, SpaceX’s satellite internet service Starlink will soon be accessible aboard some planes, the firm has revealed. According to the company, the service would provide internet speeds of up to 350 Mbps to any aircraft fitted with its Aero Terminal. This speed is sufficient for video calls, online gaming, and “other high data rate activities.

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According to SpaceX’s website, its internet connections will be accessible during taxi, takeoff, flight over land and ocean, and landing, with latency as low as 20ms. An FAQ states that “Starlink Aviation will offer worldwide coverage.” As opposed to geo-stationary satellites, which are static, low-earth orbit satellites are always overhead or close to deliver a powerful signal at high latitudes and in polar regions. Beginning in mid-2023, deliveries are anticipated.

Starlink Aviation was able to provide onboard internet at a speed of 100Mbps. The test was carried out by JSX, which declared in April that it will be among the first airlines to use the in-flight internet service, on a route from Burbank to San José, California.

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In September, JSX CEO Alex Wilcox stated that he anticipated making it available to passengers this month and having the technology installed on every aircraft operated by the company by the end of the year. In April, Hawaiian Airlines also announced a deal with Starlink, with installation beginning the next year.

The goal of SpaceX’s Starlink project is to create a worldwide, interconnected network of satellites that will provide high-speed internet. Nearly 3,500 Starlink satellites have been sent into orbit by SpaceX, and as of June, the service has about 500,000 subscribers. With $2 billion raised just this year, the business has been rapidly raising funds to support the construction of both Starlink and its next-generation rocket Starship.

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Related Topics:aircraft internet satellite space starlink

Aerospace

EASA Ends Suspension on PIA, Approves Flights to Europe

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The suspension of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from operating in Europe is finally over, marking a significant turning point for Pakistan’s aviation sector.

After years of scrutiny and stringent safety assessments, the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have officially lifted the ban on PIA. This decision also grants Airblue authorization to operate flights to Europe, further enhancing Pakistan’s connectivity with the region.

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PIA’s suspension, initially imposed in June 2020, was a direct consequence of concerns regarding the oversight capabilities of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). These concerns were triggered shortly after a tragic PIA plane crash that claimed 97 lives, prompting an investigation into the validity of pilot licenses issued in the country.

Now, after four years of continuous efforts and reforms by the PCAA, EASA has expressed renewed confidence in Pakistan’s aviation regulatory framework. In a statement, EASA highlighted that Pakistan has successfully addressed safety compliance issues, enabling PIA to resume its operations within the European Union.

A spokesperson for PIA expressed optimism, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to strictly adhere to EASA’s regulations and guidelines. “This milestone has been achieved after four years of relentless efforts by the PIA management,” the spokesperson said.

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The lifting of the ban is expected to have a profound impact on PIA’s future. The airline, which employs over 7,000 people, has faced criticism in the past for poor management, financial instability, and regulatory challenges.

However, the restoration of European operations is seen as a vital step toward regaining its competitive edge, improving its financial standing, and restoring its reputation on the global stage.

Pakistan’s government, which has been exploring options to privatize the debt-laden national carrier, is hopeful that this development will attract foreign investment and bolster the country’s aviation industry.

With a renewed focus on compliance and safety, PIA is now poised to rebuild its presence in Europe, offering Pakistani travelers and international passengers more connectivity and improved service.