SpaceX Introduces Starlink Mini: Portable Laptop-Sized Antenna for On-the-Go Internet

A significantly smaller and lighter Starlink Mini for satellite internet on the go will be available in a few months, and it will be more affordable too.

In a few months, SpaceX will release a compact version of its Starlink satellite internet receiver. The Starlink Mini is much smaller and lighter than the company’s standard antenna but can still achieve data transfer rates of 100 Mbps or more. This portable Starlink antenna comes with a built-in Wi-Fi router and is particularly suitable for travelers and hikers, as the Starlink Mini, with its laptop size, fits easily into a backpack.

Back in 2021, Starlink planned to beam its satellite internet into large vehicles like trucks, airplanes, and ships, aiming to bring Starlink internet to RVs. Now, with the Starlink Mini, a truly portable receiver is arriving. The antenna measures just 299x259x39 millimeters, making it nearly half the size of the standard Starlink antenna. It also weighs only 1.1 kilograms, slightly more than a third of the standard version, according to the technical specifications available in German.

Starlink Mini with Wi-Fi but an Older Generation

However, the Wi-Fi router integrated into the Starlink Mini only supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) as the wireless network standard. In contrast, the standard Starlink antennas offer Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), which allows for higher efficiency and faster data transmission speeds. Despite this, the Starlink Mini is expected to deliver download speeds of 100 Mbps and upload speeds exceeding 11 Mbps. At least, this is what SpaceX CEO Elon Musk claims in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. His screenshot shows a latency of 23 milliseconds.

According to Musk, multiple 4K streams should be possible simultaneously with the Starlink Mini. He mentioned that he set up the Starlink Mini within just five minutes, and the receiver can easily be stored and carried in a backpack. Starlink states a Wi-Fi range of 112 square meters for the small antenna, and besides Wi-Fi, the Starlink Mini also offers an Ethernet port.

Compact Antenna Available in Select Countries in a Few Months

Elon Musk also stated that the Starlink Mini will be available for order in selected regions of the world in a few months. He noted that the Mini antenna is also a good and cost-effective option as a backup internet connection if the landline goes down. However, he did not mention specific prices but said the Starlink Mini would cost only half as much as the standard antenna.