Starlink

An astronomer is tracking how Starlink satellites sink in their orbits, using the drift as a 'planetary barometer' to measure changes in Earth's upper atmosphere. Because the satellites' orbits respond to atmospheric drag, their gradual descent can act as a gauge of density variations. The idea is drawing attention among space and science readers interested in whether mega-constellations could double as atmospheric monitoring tools.

Russian forces have struck a Starlink data center in Ukraine, according to a Newsweek report. Starlink terminals are widely used by Ukrainian troops for battlefield communications, making any infrastructure tied to the satellite network a high-profile target. Details on casualties, damage, or the exact location of the strike have not been disclosed.

Starlink is preparing to offer gigabit download speeds to its existing customers, with the upgrade expected to arrive as a service-wide improvement rather than requiring new hardware purchases. Reports indicate the faster speeds may come with higher fees, prompting discussion about how much subscribers will pay. The move would put the satellite internet service in closer competition with fibre providers.

Analysts covering SpaceX are divided over the company's value, with the most bullish price target at $800 and the most bearish at $75, while shares trade around $149. The wide spread reflects disagreement over how to weigh the company's launch business against longer-term bets such as Starlink and Starship.

Accessory maker PeakDo has teased a new power bank designed for the Starlink Mini satellite dish, built around a semi-solid-state battery. The announcement suggests longer runtime and safer, more temperature-tolerant cells than conventional lithium-ion packs, aimed at users running portable satellite internet off-grid. Details on capacity, pricing and availability have not yet been disclosed.