The current meteor shower, the future is a communication tool
Editor’s note: This article comes from the WeChat public account : HyperAI) , author: nerve knife.
Summary of content: Recently, many people have observed a long string of stars. They are not mysterious alien signals, but star chain satellites launched by SpaceX. Why does this phenomenon called “Star Train” happen, and what deep meaning is behind them?
Keyword: Starlink Satellite Communication SpaceX
It is estimated that Musk did not expect that the satellite he put in has become an astronomical spectacle sought after by the world. Recently, he has ushered in a wave of observation in China.
On Weibo, many bloggers have captured precious pictures, and many videos have reached hundreds of thousands of views. One of the bloggers also stated that in the corner of the Forbidden City, the shooting was clear The star chain passes through the moon.
What are the characteristics of these recorded scenes and how have they been sought after by thousands of people?
Astronomical Vision: Plan overnightEmpty pearl string
Weird discussions on Weibo are a series of neat “stars” emerging from the night sky in the Beijing area.
Look carefully, did you find it?
This uncommon phenomenon naturally attracts the attention of countless people.
There are a lot of comments in related videos: some people are impressed by this beautiful scene, and some people are curious about how this happened. Will there be a chance to see it later? Others ridiculed this as some kind of mysterious signal.
Weibo netizens responded enthusiastically
Anyway, fortunately, this kind of astronomical phenomenon does not only happen once. If you look up at the stars in the near future, you will have the opportunity to witness this rare sight.
Special observation sites show that the areas and times where this phenomenon has been observed are as follows. Interested friends can try:
Note: TableMedium is the estimated time
There is an estimated error of about 10 minutes
XingChain will pass through Xiamen on May 1st, which has caused a hot topic on Weibo. More detailed information can be found on the following two websites:
https://findstarlink.com/
http://www.n2yo.com/
The truth of spectacle is artificial satellite
So what exactly is this string of glittering lights?
Yes! These neatly arranged highlights are the spectacle presented by the Starlink satellite over Beijing.
Why are Starlink satellites so bright that they can line up? Let’s start with their launch.
Starlink satellites are launched in batches every time. For example, this time, 60 satellites were brought into space by rockets.
Star chain satellite display inside the rocket
The launched Starlink satellite will go through a climbing process for several weeks and finally reach an orbit at a given altitude. Satellites reflect the sun’s rays, and because of the short distance, they are easily observed by the ground.
The reason for the formation of a long string is that when the satellites are brought into space by rockets, they are stacked together like a poker. Before they are completely dispersed, they will pass through the same sky area in a similar orbit.
When the weather conditions are right, people will see a string of pearl-like stars, and they will quickly row across the night sky. This phenomenon is also vividly compared to the “Star Train”.
If you want to observe them, you need the right place and the right place: with good weather conditions, find the elapsed time of the star chain satellite, choose a good observation position, and finally seize the best observation time of only a few minutes.
But after all, it is not the purpose of Starlink satellites to present the astronomical spectacles that have received much attention. They actually contain Musk ’s more ambitious ambitions.
Musk ’s investment in satellites has exceeded rockets
Star Chain Project: Musk ’s ambitions in the era
Starlink is a satellite communication project proposed by SpaceX in 2015. The project plans to launch 12,000 communication satellites from 2019 to 2024 to build a comprehensive satellite communication network.
12,000 star chains will be fully launched in 2024
12,000 satellites will be more than 10 times the active satellites, and when completed, they will form a sufficiently fine satellite net pocket to wrap the earth firmly.
In May 2019, SpaceX launched the first batch of 60 satellites. Counting the seventh batch of satellites just launched, the total number of Starlink satellites in space reached 420.
Each Starlink satellite weighs about 227 kg and is about the size of a table. The satellite has an antenna and a solar panel, is equipped with a high-precision navigation system, and can automatically track space debris to avoid collisions.
Appearance of Starlink Satellite
SpaceX said that after the completion of the Starchain project, users around the world can connect to the space Internet through small terminal devices, and can also guarantee thatInternet service with less than 1 Gbps broadband.
In comparison, the current ground communication established by the laying of base stations only reached 54% global coverage in 2019.
After the successful launch of StarChain on the 23rd, Musk also replied on Twitter to netizens that the internal test of StarChain Communication will start in three months and the public beta will be conducted in six months.
Musk answers the Twitter of enthusiastic netizens
This also means that Starlink Satellite is expected to be used for public communication services this year.
Correspondingly, SpaceX ’s first phase of the plan is to complete the deployment of 1,584 satellites by the end of 2020.
A dream after 20 years: Building a base station into space
In fact, the communication method is aimed at space, the Star Chain project is not the first.
As early as 1997, Motorola’s “Iridium Project” tried to carry the banner of satellite communications, but unfortunately, this project was stranded because of advanced ideas, insufficient technology and insufficient funds.
Iridium project failed in 1999
SpaceX ’s StarChain project, through a large number of satellite base stations, is opening the door to the age of space Internet.
On October 22, 2019, Musk completed the sending of Twitter information through the network provided by Starlink Satellite, which opened the prelude to the use of Starlink Satellite.
The rapid advancement of the StarChain project has benefited from the comprehensive strength of SpaceX, such as the use of crowdsourcing, which has shortened the construction period and developed a low-cost recyclable rocket to do for the project.Fully paved.
Falcon 9 carrying Star Chain No. Block 5 can be reused
In terms of satellite R & D and manufacturing, SpaceX has lowered the cost of satellites to less than US $ 800,000 per satellite, and has also reached the productivity of 6 Nissan, which is sufficient for the promotion of the plan.
Maybe under the leadership of Musk, we are expected to enter the era of space Internet brought by satellite communications.
Dispute: Will Star Chain destroy the starry sky
Although the StarChain project seems to be an exciting feat, not everyone agrees with this project. Because a brain put thousands of satellites into space, it is bound to bring some hidden dangers.
The impact on astronomical observations remains the biggest controversy at this stage.
Because the brightness of satellites in the night sky is much higher than many natural stars, coupled with such a huge number, the astronomical wonders that everyone thinks will be a disaster in the eyes of astronomers.
straight line drawn by the star chain in astronomical observation
completely obscure the observation of other stars
In June 2019, the International Astronomical Union expressed its concerns in a statement: Starchain would pose a serious threat to important astronomical infrastructure observations.
In the face of such doubts, Musk experimentally added a coating to the surface of the satellite and launched a DarkSat to reduce the reflection of light. This is not enough. Musk has recently proposed a new way.
In AprilOn the 27th, at the American Academy of Sciences 10-year planning star chain seminar, Musk made a speech explaining the ongoing research of star chain to reduce the impact on the astronomy field.
Highlighted a solution called VisorSat (shade satellite), the next batch of star chains will be equipped with a “sunshade” to avoid reflecting sunlight to the earth.
Schematic diagram of shading board
In addition, new methods will be added, such as changing the orientation of the satellite when it is in orbit, avoiding the angle of maximum reflection, etc.
Musk said that once the new method is validated, all subsequent launches will be replaced with new versions.
We cannot predict whether these plans will work, but one thing is clear, Musk will not stop his great plan.
So, would you go and appreciate the Xinglian train?