Low Latency Routing in Space

HotNets Anonymous · 106.4K views · 2018-07-20 · 7:55

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Overview

A short visualization from HotNets researchers of routing and latency over SpaceX's proposed Starlink constellation, based on its FCC filings. It shows orbital shells, link topology and how inter-satellite routes could beat terrestrial fiber on long distances.

On Hacker News

It is the go-to visual for how Starlink's constellation and laser links could cut global latency, linked in many satellite internet threads.

Recommended by 4 HN people across 3 months · HN mentions 2018–2021

Topics

Networking & internet infrastructure Space exploration & spaceflight

What people said

rtkwe · 2021-01 · Recommendation
This video goes a bit into the probable topology of the links and gives a good look at how the eventual constellation would look. Eventually in the full constellation there will be 4 easy links to the birds in front, behind, left and right, those 4 will stay in largely the same relative position until they reach the highest latitude of their orbit. Those alone will make an ok link with a bit of a zig zag. The tough ones are those ~180 degrees out of phase those will be crossing roughly perpendicular and at a really high speed. [VIDEO]
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kristofferR · 2019-04 · Recommendation
I really recommend watching this simulation of how the Starlink Constellation would massively cut global internet latency: [VIDEO]
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elteto · 2018-11 · Recommendation
This video [0] really puts into perspective what SpaceX is trying to accomplish. Incredible stuff if they pull it off! [0] [VIDEO]
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Sources

Video by HotNets Anonymous, played through YouTube.

HN Library · Source license

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