Starlink Reading Answers

Aug 31, 2024

The topic discussed is an academic reading answers topic. Starlink Reading Answers has a total of 8 IELTS questions, you have to tell whether the statement is true or false and choose the correct answer among the options.

Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly to recognise synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. IELTS Reading practice papers feature topics such as Starlink Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

Starlink

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation being constructed by SpaceX providing satellite Internet access. The constellation will consist of thousands of mass-produced smart satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), which communicate with designated ground transceivers. The SpaceX satellite development facility in Redmond, Washington houses the Starlink research development, manufacturing, and orbit control teams. The cost of the decade-long project to design, build, and deploy the constellation was estimated by SpaceX in May 2018 to be at least US$10 billion. Product development began in 2015. Two prototype test-flight satellites were launched in February 2018. Additional test satellites and 60 operational satellites were deployed in May 2019. SpaceX launches up to 60 satellites at a time, aiming to deploy 1,584 of the 260 kg (570 lb) spacecraft to provide near-global service by late 2022. SpaceX started a private beta service in the Northern United States in August 2020 and a public beta in October 2020, service beginning at high latitudes between 44° and 52° North.

On 15 October 2019, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) submitted filings to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on SpaceX's behalf to arrange spectrum for 30,000 additional Starlink satellites to supplement the 12,000 Starlink satellites already approved by the FCC. Astronomers have raised concerns about the constellations' effect on ground-based astronomy and how the satellites will add to an already jammed orbital environment. This prompted conversations about the ethics of a single company unilaterally changing the night sky's appearance worldwide. In response, SpaceX has implemented several upgrades to Starlink satellites aimed at reducing their brightness during operation.

The deployment of the first 1,440 satellites will be into 72 orbital planes of 20 satellites each, with a requested lower minimum elevation angle of beams to improve reception: 25° rather than the 40° of the other two orbital shells. SpaceX launched the first 60 satellites of the constellation in May 2019 into a 450 km orbit and expected up to six launches in 2019 at that time, with 720 satellites (12 x 60) for continuous coverage in 2020. In August 2019, SpaceX expected four more launches in 2019 and at least nine launches in 2020, but since January 2020 expectations had increased to 24 total launches in 2020. In March 2020, SpaceX reported producing six satellites per day.

Starlink satellites are also planned to launch on Starship launch vehicle, an under-development rocket of SpaceX that will launch 400 satellites at a time. In February 2021, Musk stated that the satellites are traveling on 25 orbital planes clustered between 53° north and south of the equator.

Questions 8-14

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?

TRUE - If the statement agrees with the information.

FALSE - If the statement contradicts the information.

NOT GIVEN - If there is no information on this.

There are thousands of bulk-manufactured miniature satellites flying in low earth orbit known as Starlink.

Answer: False

Supporting statement:Starlink is a satellite internet constellation being constructed by SpaceX providing satellite Internet access. The constellation will consist of thousands of mass-produced smart satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), which communicate with designated ground transceivers.

Keyword: constellation,satellite,mass-produced,Low Earth Orbit.

Keyword Location: 1st paragraph,1st and 2nd line.

Explanation: Starlink is a mass produced smart satellite not a bunch of thousands small satellites.

The cost of designing Starlink satellites was more than the cost of its production.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The cost of design,build and deployment is estimated at least US $ 10 Billion, but there is no clear distinction between the cost of designing and the cost of production. So we can't conclude anything.

SpaceX has the capacity to release more than 1584 satellites in one go.

Answer: False

Supporting statement: SpaceX launches up to 60 satellites at a time, aiming to deploy 1,584 of the 260 kg (570 lb) spacecraft to provide near-global service by late 2022.

Keyword: satellites, in one go

Keyword Location: 1st paragraph,6 th line

Explanation: SpaceX can launch up to 60 satellites at a time,but it is planning to deploy 1584. This statement is not going with the question,thus it is false.

There are apprehensions about Starlink satellites adding to the orbital traffic.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: Astronomers have raised concerns about the constellations' effect on ground-based astronomy and how the satellites will add to an already jammed orbital environment.

Keyword: satellite,orbital

Keyword Location: 2nd paragraph,2nd line

Explanation: Astronomers are concerned about the installation of satellites in the jammed orbital environment which shows that there are some apprehensions about Starlink satellites adding to the orbital traffic. Thus the answer is true.

SpaceX is working to augment the glare of Starlink satellites throughout operation.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: SpaceX has implemented several upgrades to Starlink satellites aimed at reducing their brightness during operation.

Keyword: implemented, reducing, brightness

Keyword Location: 2nd paragraph,last line

Explanation: SpaceX has implemented several upgrades to reduce the brightness during operation and not to augment the glare. Thus it is not supporting the question. The answer is false.

The placement of the first batch of 20 satellites in 72 orbits will be positioned at a higher angle at 40°.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: The deployment of the first 1,440 satellites will be into 72 orbital planes of 20 satellites each, with a requested lower minimum elevation angle of beams to improve reception: 25° rather than the 40° of the other two orbital shells.

Keyword: satellite,orbital shells, lower minimum elevation

Keyword Location: 3rd paragraph,1st line

Explanation:: According to the paragraph the satellites are planned to be positioned at a lower minimum elevation angle of beams and not at a higher angle at 40°. Thus the statement is not supporting the question giving an answer False.

The Starship can launch the greatest number of satellites than any other launch vehicle.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Supporting statement:On 15 October 2019, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) submitted filings to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on SpaceX's behalf to arrange spectrum for 30,000 additional Starlink satellites to supplement the 12,000 Starlink satellites already approved by the FCC.

Keyword: satellite, spectrum

Keyword Location: 2nd paragraph,1st line

Explanation: the statement shows the capacity of SpaceX satellites but it doesn't not imply if that is more than any other launch vehicle or not. Thus the answer is not given in the paragraph.

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