News

Oklahomans were treated to the sight of a line of white dots moving across the night sky on Wednesday night. These mysterious dots are actually caused by SpaceX’s Starlink and are known as a satellite train. The Starlink train consists of multiple satellites and has previously been mistaken for UFO sightings.

When released into space, the Starlink satellite will spin in orbit around Earth. As it moves, it will unfold its solar panels and lay flat to resist the pull of gravity. It will then point its panels up and its antennae down to communicate data/internet back to Earth. These satellites move at the same altitude and speed, creating the appearance of a clumped-together group moving in unison.

What is SpaceX?

Starlink is a satellite system developed by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX in 2015. Its primary goal is to provide high-speed internet to remote areas by launching solar-powered satellites into orbit. SpaceX plans to build a total of 12,000 satellites, with the potential to extend that number to 42,000. Currently, around 4,500 satellites have been sent into orbit, providing internet connections for 1.5 million customers in approximately 50 countries and territories. The first batch of 60 satellites was launched in 2019.

How can I see Starlink satellites?

Starlink satellites are only visible when they reflect sunlight, as they do not emit light on their own. Mobile apps are available to help users locate satellites, including Starlink satellites specifically. These apps provide real-time information and can even work without an internet connection, allowing users to access them from anywhere.

For those interested in tracking the locations of all Starlink satellites in real-time, the Starlink map shows the global coverage of each satellite, as well as information on the number currently operating. To find Starlink satellites in your area, you can use the Find Starlink feature.

Please note that the article has been paraphrased and formatted for clarity. Images and specific sources of information have been removed.

The post What is the Starlink Satellite Train? appeared first on satProviders.