Elon Musk's Starlink helped smugglers in Andaman's massive drug haul: All about it

Myanmarese smugglers exploited Starlink's high-speed internet to navigate the seas during a major methamphetamine smuggling operation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, leading to a record drug seizure.

In Short

• Myanmarese smugglers use Starlink for navigation
• Police to seek user details from Elon Musk's SpaceX
• Starlink provides global high-speed internet

An investigation into the largest drug haul of 6,000 kg of methamphetamine in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has revealed that Myanmarese smugglers were using Starlink satellite internet service to navigate through the sea.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands DGP Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal told PTI that the smugglers were transporting methamphetamine, worth Rs 36,000 crore, on a fishing trawler. The police seized Myanmar currency, a portable Inmarsat satellite phone, SIM cards from multiple countries, and a dish from SpaceX's Starlink mini version.

"This is the first time in India that we've encountered smugglers using Starlink for high-speed internet connectivity to navigate through rough seas and remote regions. We've confirmed that Starlink isn't available in Myanmar, but it is available in nearby countries like Indonesia, Australia, and Thailand. The smugglers used Starlink because it can withstand extreme conditions while at sea," he said.

The police will be reaching out to SpaceX to seek user and purchase details.

WHAT IS STARLINK?

Starlink, a service provided by SpaceX - the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk in 2002 - is an international telecommunications provider offering coverage in over 100 countries, though not yet in India. There is speculation that Starlink may soon enter the Indian market.

Starlink aims to provide high-speed internet services globally using a constellation of satellites. This system is especially suited for rural and geographically isolated areas where internet connectivity is unreliable or nonexistent.

HOW DOES STARLINK WORK?

Unlike traditional internet providers that rely on physical infrastructure, such as fiber optic cables or mobile towers, to transmit data, Starlink uses a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide internet signals directly to homes, offices, or even moving vehicles like RVs and boats.

Ground stations send signals to satellites in orbit, which then transmit the data back to Starlink users on Earth. Each Starlink satellite weighs 573 pounds and has a flat design. A single SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket can carry up to 60 of these satellites.

Unlike traditional satellite internet, which relies on satellites much farther from Earth, Starlink's satellites orbit closer to the planet. This proximity allows for faster internet speeds and reduced latency (the delay in data transmission), resulting in a more reliable connection, even for activities like video calls and online gaming. Starlink aims to establish a low-latency network in space that supports edge computing on Earth.

The newest Starlink satellites are equipped with laser communication elements to transmit signals between satellites, reducing dependency on multiple ground stations.

SpaceX plans to launch as many as 40,000 satellites in the near future to ensure global and remote satellite coverage with fewer service outages.

STARLINK AND BAD WEATHER

Starlink was designed to withstand rugged weather conditions.

According to the company's website, "Designed and rigorously tested to handle a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions, Starlink is proven to withstand extreme cold and heat, sleet, heavy rain, and gale-force winds-and it can even melt snow."

Starlink uses LEO satellites and a phased array antenna to maintain its performance during extreme weather conditions.

STARLINK'S INTERNET SPEED

Starlink offers unlimited data on most of its plans. The service provides internet speeds ranging from 25 Mbps to 220 Mbps, depending on the plan you choose and your location. According to Starlink's website, speeds as high as 220 Mbps and latency as low as 20 milliseconds are available in many locations.

HOW TO ACCESS STARLINK?

To use Starlink, users must purchase a kit that includes a satellite dish, a Wi-Fi router, and all the necessary cables. The dish is compact and portable. After setting it up-typically on your roof or in an open area-the dish begins receiving signals from the satellites and provides internet access through the Wi-Fi router. Starlink also offers an app that helps users find the best location to place their dish.

STARLINK COST

Starlink offers three internet packages:

Starlink Internet: This package is designed for residential use, priced at $110 per month, with a one-time hardware fee of $599.

Starlink Business: The business package offers double the antenna capability of the residential option, along with faster internet speeds. It costs $500 per month, with a one-time equipment fee of $2,500.

Starlink RV: In June 2022, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission approved SpaceX to offer Starlink service to moving vehicles, including RVs, planes, ships, and trucks. As a result, travelers can now access the Starlink RV service for $135 per month, plus a $599 hardware cost.