SpaceX files an FCC request to beam its Starlink satellite internet to ships, planes, trucks, and RVs – but not Teslas, because the antennas required are too big

SpaceX files an FCC request to beam its Starlink satellite internet to ships, planes, trucks, and RVs – but not Teslas, because the antennas required are too big

SpaceX wants to connect moving vehicles, including planes, ships, and large trucks, to its Starlink satellite internet service, according to a request the company filed to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Friday.

Currently, Starlink provides rural and underserved communities with broadband through its 1,122 low-Earth orbit satellites. Starlink kits cost $499upfront, plus $99 a month for a subscription. Now, the space firm plans to use antennas that can mount to vehicles, vessels, and aircraft, and are "electrically identical" to existing user terminals, the filing said.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Monday said in a tweet that the antennas would not connect Tesla cars to Starlink because the terminals are "much too big."

"This is for aircraft, ships, large trucks & RVs," he said.

In Friday's request, SpaceX director of satellite policy David Goldman said the antenna "would serve the public interest" and "allow operators and passengers to access services that enable increased productivity."

"The volume of traffic flowing over the world's networks has exploded," said Goldman. "No longer are users willing to forego connectivity while on the move."

Last year, SpaceX asked the FCC for authorization to test Starlink on ships that it uses to recover rockets that have landed in the ocean, CNBC reported. But