SpaceX will build Starlink plant in Texas – service will be deployed by the end of the year in 25 countries
SpaceX says it is building a facility in Austin, Texas, to build systems that will help mass and efficiently manufacture phased array dish antennas, Wi-Fi routers, and other equipment for Starlink satellite broadband customers. The news was made public by an automation and control engineer vacancy pointed to by the local news channel KXAN.
“To meet global demand, SpaceX is opening new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Austin, Texas,” the job posting says. “ The automation and control engineer will play a key role as we strive to produce millions of consumer devices that we will start shipping directly to customers ( Starlink dishes, Wi-Fi routers, installation hardware, and so on). ”
The plant will presumably not manufacture the plates and routers themselves on-site but instead design systems that will improve the manufacturing process. “Specifically, specialists will design and develop control systems and software for equipment of production lines – ultimately solving the most complex mechanical, software, and electrical problems that arise in large-scale production while maintaining an emphasis on flexibility, reliability, maintainability, and simplicity. Use “– said in the message.
Starlink is in beta testing and serves more than 10,000 customers so far. The company has requested the FCC to deploy up to 5 million user terminals across the country. SpaceX calls this piece of equipment “Dishy McFlatface,” It receives transmissions from SpaceX satellites in low Earth orbit. Starlink charges $ 99 per month plus a one-time $ 499 fee for a custom terminal, mounting stand, and router. Starlink recently began accepting pre-orders for a service that will be available in the second half of 2021.
The new vacancy said the successful candidate would work in Austin but spend up to 25% of the time at SpaceX’s Los Angeles headquarters until the Austin facility is fully built. The new engineer will have an impact on Starlink’s ability to supply equipment this year. “The specialist will set, implement and adhere to schedules and budgets to ensure the completion of the project as the company seeks to roll out services in more than 25 countries by the end of the year,” the vacancy announcement said.
The vacancy also states: “The engineer will design, develop and lead automation and control projects for consumer electronics manufacturers that are easy to use for people around the world, but technically very complex – this includes the initial factory idea, commissioning online, and confirmation of technical capabilities in practice with the subsequent transfer of the project to operational teams. He will also lead the project and the initial conceptual design of the equipment, carefully balancing product specifications, process requirements, layout complexity, cost, and lead times. ”
SpaceX’s new plant will be located next to Tesla’s planned car plant. SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk is also Tesla’s CEO.
