Space transportation and communication services are all essential for research and future development as an aerospace manufacturer.
Elon Musk’s private company SpaceX is responsible for this, and SpaceX’s Starlink delivers internet connectivity to people all over the world. In reality, Starlink can be considered a unit of SpaceX.
Key Takeaways
- SpaceX is a space exploration company with various projects, including developing reusable rockets and deploying satellites for Starlink, a satellite internet service.
- Starlink aims to provide internet access to areas with limited or no connectivity through a constellation of satellites orbiting Earth.
- SpaceX’s success in reusable rocket technology and its partnership with NASA set it apart from other space exploration companies.
SpaceX vs Starlink
SpaceX is a private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk in 2002. Starlink is SpaceX’s satellite internet constellation, providing broadband internet access worldwide. Space X deals with rockets and spacecraft, while Starlink deals with the Internet.
SpaceX is a private company founded by Elon musk that is responsible for aerospace manufacturing, space transportation, and communication services.
It was founded in 2002. Apparently, it also developed launch vehicles, rocket engines, dragon spacecraft, autonomous spaceport drone ships, starships, and Starlink.
However, the main goal was to reduce space transportation costs for the access to the colonization of Mars.
Starlink is a constellation of satellite internet that is operated by SpaceX and it provides access to the internet to most parts of the world. It has many satellites which also cover Lower Earth Orbit(LEO).
It is considered that it would cover most of the global population but it would need a license from each country to provide its service.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of comparison | SpaceX | Starlink |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | SpaceX is a private company founded by Elon Musk in 2002. | Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX. |
| Founded/Launched | SpaceX was founded in 2002. | Starlink was launched in 2020. |
| Responsible | SpaceX is responsible for the aerospace manufacturer, space transportation, and communication services, | Starlink is responsible for providing access to the internet to most parts of the world. |
| Developed or launched | SpaceX has developed Launch vehicles, rocket engines, dragon spacecraft, spaceport drone ships, starships, and Starlink. | Starlink has launched 2,091 satellites till now. |
| Facilities | SpaceX facilities include a manufacturing plant, research, and major operation test site, three launch sites, office spaces, mission control, and so on. | Starlink provides satellite internet to underserved areas as well as urbanized areas. |
What is SpaceX?
SpaceX is an American private company founded by Elon Musk in 2002. The significant aim of SpaceX was to reduce space transportation costs and enable colonization on Mars.
Instead, it is known for aerospace manufacturing, space transportation, and communication services.
Apparently, it developed launch vehicles, rocket engines, dragon spacecraft, autonomous spaceport drone ships, starships, and Starlink.
Besides, the biggest achievement of SpaceX was the first privately funded liquid-propellant rocket to reach orbit around the Earth.
The achievement list of SpaceX is quite long as it was the first private to successfully launch, orbit and recover a spacecraft, and so on.
Even, it has sent astronauts to the International Space Station.
Moreover, it has developed three launch vehicles, as well as several rocket engines, have been developed for use in launch vehicles.
With that, the Dragon spacecraft of SpaceX is developed for transportation of cargo and astronauts to the International Space Station.
Additionally, starships are also developed that are fully reusable and super heavy-lift rockets. Last but not least, Starlink is also developed by SpaceX provides internet satellites across most parts of the world.
Furthermore, SpaceX has also been criticized for light pollution due to a large number of satellites as it was seen in both optical and radio wavelengths.
Even, there are dangers of space debris collisions due to the number of satellites.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a constellation of internet satellites operated by SpaceX. It was launched in 2020 and almost 2,091 satellites have been launched till now.
Apparently, it was developed to provide access to the internet to most parts of the Earth. It is meant to be accessible by underserved areas as well as urbanized areas.
Constellation consists of mass-produced small satellites in Low Earth Orbit(LEO). Although it covers most parts of the world yet only those countries have licensed SpaceX to provide its internet services. As of now, it is only accessible by 25 countries only.
Moreover, it has launched 2,091 satellites into orbit and is planning to launch on the starship. This will eventually launch 400 satellites at once. SpaceX has approval for ground stations in five states of America, while Starlink uses the Ka-band to connect.
Furthermore, Stark received criticism and resistance due to many reasons, such as light pollution, space debris, United States federal funding, and customer service.
One of the reasons, Starlink received criticism was light pollution as the increasing number of satellites increased light pollution.
And several satellites in the orbit results in space debris which can be a risk as it can cause satellite collision and trigger Kessler Syndrome.
Main Differences Between SpaceX and Starlink
Being a part of SpaceX, Starlink is considered to be similar to SpaceX. However, SpaceX is a private company, while Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX.
Aerospace manufacturer space transportation and communication is an essential factor for research and development on a broader aspect. Therefore, these services are continually being provided by SpaceX.
- SpaceX is a private company founded by Elon Musk in 2002. Meanwhile, Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX.
- SpaceX was founded in 2002, while Starlink was launched in 2020.
- SpaceX is responsible for the aerospace manufacturer, space transportation, and communication services. Meanwhile, Starlink is responsible for providing access to the internet to most parts of the world.
- SpaceX has developed Launch vehicles, rocket engines, dragon spacecraft, spaceport drone ships, starships, and Starlink. Meanwhile, Starlink has launched 2,091 satellites till now.
- SpaceX facilities include a manufacturing plant, research and major operation test site, three launch sites, office spaces, mission control, and so on, while Starlink provides satellite internet to the underserved areas as well as urbanized areas.
References
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=5VVDAAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=SpaceX&ots=OjCawtZfAC&sig=g_KPBw1HN-skMzEoveRg_8KcJTg
- https://adsabs.harvard.edu/pdf/1982QJRAS..23..485D
Last Updated : 15 July, 2023
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
