Recently, Elon Musk’s SpaceX introduced the Starlink Mini — a product they advertised as a solution for areas without internet access. For those unfamiliar, Starlink is SpaceX‘s satellite internet constellation project aimed to provide internet service in remote areas. For example, many cargo ships use it for staff to access the internet while traveling across the oceans. The recently introduced device comes in a small package that can fit in a backpack. This is a huge plus for people constantly on the go and passing through WiFi dead zones.
Connect everywhere
The Starlink Mini currently isn’t on sale for general consumers. While its selling point is to provide internet connection in areas without internet service, users must stay within its coverage area to connect. The company invited hardcore travelers and reviewers to test the device and offered an introductory price of $599 for the hardware. There’s also the monthly service fee of $150 and a $120 residential cost.
Orders are going live… Got the invite.
byu/FourthEchelon19 inStarlink
There is an additional $30 charge for the “Mini Roam” service, which allows you to take the Starlink Mini kit anywhere you go. SpaceX aims to reduce the pricing when they roll out the Mini for general consumers. “Our goal is to reduce the price of Starlink for those around the world where connectivity has been unaffordable or completely unavailable,” SpaceX said in their invite.
What’s in the box?
The Starlink Mini will include its dish with integrated WiFi, a 15m cable, a power supply, a plug, a kickstand, and a pipe adapter. Its 15m cable measures about 12 inches by 10 inches by 1.5 inches. The main dish is wrapped up in a thin sheet of hydro shield protection not meant to be removed. However, an X user reported they mistakenly removed it assuming it’s a screen cover.
guys my mini starlink just came and i completely ruined it by taking the whole front hydroshield off thinking it was a screen cover in less than 10 minutes of getting it…… pic.twitter.com/SrmNxIFrEM
— asteras king (@moonboyyy69) July 3, 2024
Apart from what’s included, keep in mind that the Starlink Mini weighs 1.10 kg (2.43 lb). With the kickstand, it goes up to 1.53 kg (3.37 lb). Compared to previous models from Stalink, the dish is about 60% lighter. Of course, that’s in comparison to the standard Starlink variant.
Photo credit: The feature image has been taken by Oleg Kutkov and has been made available for press usage.
