[sysguest]

hmm maybe this can be easily solved?

1. make a starlink+wireless mesh-network (eg. using BLE) that can handle multiple connects/disconnects seamlessly

2. mount those starlinks on cars/trucks/motorcycles/etc. hide those on ditches, buildings, etc.

Elon should work on that "starlink <-> wireless mesh-network" part (eg. app or device)

[bigfatkitten]

Terminals are easy to find.

Every single commercial mobile satellite system, other than VSAT needs to tell the network where it is in order to function. None of them are designed for low probability of interception/detection.

[sysguest]

well that's why you need to move around

[coffeebeqn]

But this is getting pretty complicated for private citizens without internet access to organize with the protests, sanctions, falling currency and government killing thousands of people, no?

[bigfatkitten]

That’s not going to save you when your adversary can continuously track your position, and identify your pattern of life.

[Ginden]

> easily solved

Asynchronous (you don't know when and where you will get Internet/local network connectivity) mesh (there is no gov infrastructure to be trusted) networking in presence of malicious (gov operated) and unreliable (destroyed by gov) nodes is probably among hardest problems known to computer science.

[dzhiurgis]

Or Starlink enables direct to cell 5G in Iran.

[lm28469]

> Elon should work

Elon? You mean the team behind starlink? The cult of personality around this nerd is amazing

[johnisgood]

Umm, executive prioritization genuinely determines what gets built. "Design for LPI/LPD" is exactly the kind of strategic call that comes from leadership, not something engineers spontaneously add to the roadmap.

That said, the technical problem is hard regardless. Direction-finding equipment can locate them. Moving helps but you are broadcasting position whenever active. Military SATCOM (MUOS, AEHF) uses frequency hopping, directional antennas, burst transmissions, techniques Starlink was not architected for.

The mesh idea has a bandwidth mismatch problem too. BLE tops out around 1 Mbps; Starlink pushes 100+. You would want 802.11s or a MANET protocol, but then you just have a cluster of RF emitters pointing back at the terminal anyway.

[sysguest]

agreed

on tech side, I'm not wireless-guy, so I'm giving ble as an example ('something like ble') not as some prescription

btw, maybe elon could add those SATCOM features to starlink? (or is it physically costly -- eg. require changing those satelite hardwares? or would some software update do?)

[sysguest]

hmm so who should I refer to?

should I call out bill gates? zuckerberg?

[amenhotep]

Just say Starlink or SpaceX, obviously. When would you ever say "Bill should work on fixing Outlook" or "Mark should improve the WhatsApp gif picker"??

[anothereng]

gif picker lol