One of the coolest things SpaceX has done recently, besides launching rockets, is sending a massive number of Starlink satellites into orbit. These satellite constellations aim to provide continuous internet coverage across the US and potentially worldwide in the future. Starlink satellites connect users through ground-based receiver dishes installed at homes and other locations.
However, with summer heatwaves pushing temperatures up in many areas, a major issue has come up with Starlink dishes. On Reddit, a user named SocietyTomorrow shared a screenshot of a warning message showing the dish overheating and the system automatically shutting down. When this happens, the internet connection drops.
“The disconnections only started about a week ago, at first just a few minutes in the afternoon, but now it happens most days, though for short periods,” the user explained. “However, the downtime is getting longer. In recent days, it’s been offline from around 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. My guess is the outdoor temperature is a major factor.”
This user lives in Arizona, where temperatures reportedly hit 112°F (about 44°C) at the time. SocietyTomorrow works for a small business that repairs printers and electronics. He signed up for Starlink because it’s the only service in his area offering advertised speeds of 10 Mbps. Other wireless internet providers offer 25-50 Mbps but at a higher cost, around $150 a month.
“Starlink is the clear choice, at least for the next few years,” he added.
Another user testing Starlink in a remote area near the Grand Canyon reported similar overheating issues. Whenever temperatures rise too high, their internet connection drops.
Interestingly, based on the system’s warning, SocietyTomorrow found a simple workaround: spraying water directly onto the dish. The water cools the system down and restores the connection. Of course, this is only a temporary fix. With many parts of the US and other hot regions around the world experiencing high summer temperatures, automatic shutdowns due to overheating could be a serious problem.
So far, SpaceX has not announced any fixes for this issue. It’s unclear if there’s a design flaw making some dishes more vulnerable to heat, since some users in hot areas don’t experience this problem. For now, cooling the dish with water is one of several possible solutions.
Last November, engineer Ken Keiter posted a 55-minute video on his personal YouTube channel analyzing the Starlink dish. He told viewers, “It’s rare to see something this complex in a consumer product.” Keiter also said the design needs better heat dissipation before it’s widely released, warning of potential issues with materials and construction.
Starlink currently offers a beta service to 10,000 users with internet speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 150 Mbps. Customers pay $100 a month plus a $500 hardware fee for this next-gen broadband service, which Elon Musk promised would become more widely available by the end of 2021.
Source: Slashgear
