Prof. Sam LawlerSep 7, 2023

I just had to update my numbers for a lecture, so here's your periodic reminder: Starlink is now 55% of ALL active satellites in orbit.

And given the recent news about that awful billionaire unilaterally deciding to cut of Starlink internet access to parts of the world whenever he wants to, this is extra important to share. Why did our governments effectively gift Low Earth Orbit to one awful dude? This is so bad.

Show threadrailmeatSep 7, 2023
@sundogplanets I don't think governments gave him low earth orbit, I think he just took it. That is usually what these guys do.
Show threadProf. Sam Lawler
@railmeat Yeah, true. They gifted it by not regulating it, and he took advantage of the lack of regulation.
Sep 7, 2023 at 5:54pmWeb
Show threadAlyson DeckerSep 7, 2023
@sundogplanets He got permissions to launch from the US- so it’s a bit of both.
Show threadJay RandomSep 8, 2023
@sundogplanets @railmeat there is a lot of regulation that starlink needs to work inside of, both the ITU and local FCC equivalents, war zones have notoriously bad regulatory frameworks…