SpaceX is working on a concept version of Starlink for Mars, according to a NASA presentation.
The project was discussed during the meeting of the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group held on Thursday, which focuses on supporting NASA’s missions to Mars.
In one of the presentations, NASA representatives elaborated on the agency’s intention to procure commercial services from aerospace firms to facilitate Mars exploration, as reported by SpaceFlight Now. This may involve contracts with SpaceX, which currently offers its Starlink satellite internet service to over 4 million users globally. Presentation slides indicated that NASA has invited commercial entities to submit proposals detailing how their technologies could be utilized for Mars missions. One slide highlighted a proposal from SpaceX to create “Marslink,” inspired by the designs of the Starlink satellites.
SpaceX’s proposal was presented alongside two other concepts aimed at developing “next-generation relay services” capable of transmitting data at speeds of 4 Mbps or higher across a distance of 1.5 astronomical units, which corresponds to the current distance from Mars to the Sun. This indicates that these satellites would be capable of relaying data to Earth and other spacecraft over extensive distances, likely utilizing Starlink’s laser communication technology. The company suggests deploying “multiple space satellites in Mars orbit to ensure comprehensive visibility and interoperability for both ground and orbital assets,” as stated in the presentation. Additionally, the Marslink concept reportedly “exceeds” the specified capabilities and could also facilitate imaging and monitoring of the Martian surface, according to the slide.
The presentation provides insight into SpaceX’s vision for the future of Starlink. CEO Elon Musk has previously expressed his ambition for Starlink to support communications with spacecraft, and he has been outspoken about the potential for human colonization of Mars. (Mars-related elements are also embedded within the Starlink hardware, application, and terms of service.) At this stage, the NASA presentation simply notes: “There are a significant number of companies interested, even beyond the study participants.”
NASA has recently accomplished a “sustained downlink data rate of 6.25 megabits per second” through a laser system installed on a spacecraft located approximately 240 million miles away. This distance is comparable to the separation between Mars and Earth when the two planets are at their farthest point from each other.
