SpaceX rocket launch kicks off era of Starlink space lasers - CNET

Sep 14, 2021

The company lofted and deployed 51 new small satellites, all of them equipped with laser cross-links representing the start of a major upgrade for the growing mega-constellation in low Earth orbit. .

24 that the pause in Starlink deployment was to allow for the next batch of satellites to be fitted with the laser links, enabling them to communicate with each other in orbit. .

Ten satellites with laser links were launched to a polar orbit in January to avoid the need for ground stations near the poles

This small batch was the first equipped with the technology, but SpaceX hopes Monday's launch marks a transition to all Starlink satellites launched going forward carrying laser crosslinks.