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SpaceX ships smaller, lighter Starlink V5 dish
The new Starlink V5 terminal cuts dish area by 48%, weight by 62%, and power draw to 35–50W, while keeping download speeds above 375 Mbps.
Image: iXBT
SpaceX has started shipping its redesigned Starlink V5 user terminal, and the first customers have already received the new dish. The update was highlighted by insider Sawyer Merritt, who shared photos of the device and outlined its main changes.
Compared with the Starlink V4 terminal, the new antenna is much more compact. Its surface area has been reduced by 48%, while the antenna’s weight is down 62% to 1.1 kg. That should make the terminal easier to transport and install, while also reducing wind load. The device is rated to operate in winds of up to 265 km/h.
One of the biggest changes is power efficiency. Average power consumption is listed at 35–50W, down from 75–100W on the previous generation, which amounts to roughly a 50% improvement in energy efficiency. That could be especially useful for customers relying on off-grid power sources.
Despite the smaller size and lower power draw, performance appears unchanged. According to the report, download speeds can still exceed 375 Mbps.
Earlier, Tesla and Starlink said the Starlink V5 satellite internet kit is integrated directly into the Cybercab robotaxi.
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Frontier Editor
Dan is our resident futurist, covering electric mobility, space exploration, and the smart home. He's interested in atoms just as much as bits. Whether it's a new battery chemistry, a reusable rocket, or a protocol that finally makes IoT devices talk to each other, Dan breaks down the engineering that pushes humanity forward.
via iXBT
