Prof. Sam LawlerAug 23, 2024

I did a calculation yesterday that made me want to scream. If you look at the *current* density of satellites in 1km altitude bins in Low Earth Orbit, and assume they are travelling at circular velocities (generally true), then Starlink satellites pass within <1km of each other EVERY 30 SECONDS.

At Starlink altitudes, everything is travelling at 7 km/second, so <1 km close approaches are terrifyingly close. Every 30 seconds. WHY.

Show thread@[email protected]Aug 23, 2024
@sundogplanets Because dipshits want to have uninterrupted, high-speed, low-latency internet at all times rather than working on software that do not need that.
Show threadCassandrich
@pettter @sundogplanets That's not a dipshit thing to want. Satellites are a dipshit way to get it though.
Aug 23, 2024 at 4:46pmWeb
Show thread@[email protected]Aug 23, 2024
@dalias @sundogplanets Wanting to have it most of the time, or at home, etc. isn't a dipshit thing to want. To want to have it literally _all the time everywhere_ is.
Show threadCassandrichAug 23, 2024
@pettter @sundogplanets The thought of someone having different communication needs than yourself...