If you’ve heard the name Starlink thrown around the past few years, you may wonder what the deal is. Sure, it has something to do with satellites and Elon Musk, but the details get fuzzy after that. After all, you’re not likely to use Starlink unless you’re in a rural or emergency-prone area. At least, not yet.

This ambitious SpaceX project is about delivering the internet in new ways to people who can’t count on traditional infrastructure. It’s a mixed bag, with some cool features and a few troubling aspects, but it ultimately represents a significant push for technology. Let’s go over what makes Starlink unique, how it’s changing the world, why people are worried, and everything else you should know.

The Starlink Mission with the Earth in the background

Starlink uses satellite communication technology, which is spread across a host of smaller satellites launched into orbit around the Earth. When we say “smaller satellites,” we mean they’re about 500 to 600 pounds and around the size of a diner table. And there are a lot of them. Over 5,000 have been launched into low orbit around Earth, and the project intends to launch more, with launches scheduled every few weeks.

Starlink provides this tech to users, similar to sat-phones that allow cell phone calls, except Starlink offers internet connectionsto your phone. That means you don’t need a nearby cell tower or cable internet connection to access the internet from nearly anywhere the satellites offer their combined might.

A starlink receiver points toward the hills under a sunset.

Managing a constellation (often called a “train”) of little satellites like this requires state-of-the-art technology. Starlink includes a few tricks to pull this off, including:

The Starlink project is managed by SpaceX, the private aerospace company owned by Elon Musk and involved in launching rockets into space in new, exploding ways that currently have the launch programgrounded for environmental damage. But SpaceX has many other projects in the works, and one of the largest is Starlink.

Scientists and engineers have played with the idea of satellite constellations for decades. Starlink is one of the largest projects to make it possible. It began with SpaceX’s new development facility, which opened in 2015 to create low-cost Starlink satellites.

Trajectory of a SpaceX rocket launch shown at nighttime.

By 2016, the company requested permission for a low-orbit satellite service and the FCC-controlled frequency bands it would use to communicate. As part of the deal, the FCC required SpaceX to offer a plan to avoid causing too much space debris and a speedy deadline of six years to complete its first phase. After a few years of test runs, Starlink received permission to launch satellites and requested permission for earth-based stations to monitor and control them. Manufacturing for a full constellation began in 2019, quickly followed by the first launches.

By 2021, Starlink was open for pre-subscriptions from consumers and entering markets around the world, including India, the Philippines, and North America. A year later, it made deals with cruise lines. In all, it was an astonishingly swift development process.

Starlink’s coverage map.

So, why choose Starlink over traditional satellite connections? What makes the service special beyond its unique delivery system? Let’s look at why Starlink is a big deal:

Internet for those who can’t get it using a fleet of satellites sounds like a great proposition. We looked at the useful (and fun) things Starlink makes possible. However, for the past few years, the technology has, in practice, also caused problems. These include:

Starlink has excellent availability, offering services around North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South America, with more countries coming online all the time. However, you’ll have to look up your area and see if it qualifies, depending on the route Starlink satellites take.Starlink has a handy map of coveragefor this purpose.

Rural users, travelers, and others can purchase a Starlink package starting at $110 per month and up to $500 per month, depending on the details. A permanent residential subscription also requires hardware that costs $599 plus a $99 deposit. There are no cancellation fees.

Unlike other internet services, Starlink doesn’t have any training or contracted professionals to help with installation. Once you get your kit, it’s up to you to install it properly. The good news is that the free Starlink app can help every step of the way.

Starlink panel on emergency red jeep driving down desert road.

We don’t know. Starlink would like the future to include more of Starlink, with plans to launch 12,000 Gen-2 satellites and possibly more in later phases. But it’s a complicated time for the service, and some changes are probably in the works. We’re keeping an eye on several probable developments:

Now you’re Starlinked

Now that your crash course on Starlink is complete, you’re ready to consider whether it’s right for you and what to expect from the future. If you’re interested in satellite internet, we suggest looking at the rural plansother providers offerand comparing your options. While the first few years of Starlink have been exciting, there’s still a long way to go and much to discover about how these satellite constellation services will work in the future.