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A comment on SpaceX sends laser-linked Starlinks to the polar orbit. Parent comment

Re:SpaceX sends laser-linked Starlinks to the polar orbit by namibj on Monday January 25, 2021 @10:59PM (#25912355)
The horizon limitation is primarily regulatory. Given that limitation, it doesn't make sense for them to extend the cone closer to the horizon than their flat phased array can do.
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Re:SpaceX sends laser-linked Starlinks to the polar orbit by shaklee3 on Tuesday January 26, 2021 @12:38AM (#25912933)
Not true. The antenna itself has a very low scan to keep costs down.
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Re:SpaceX sends laser-linked Starlinks to the polar orbit by namibj on Tuesday January 26, 2021 @01:02AM (#25913054)
Yes, because e.g. a multi-panel design would be limited by regulations. Hence they decided on the single panel for ROI/cost-efficiency purposes.
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Re:SpaceX sends laser-linked Starlinks to the polar orbit by walrus01 on Tuesday January 26, 2021 @12:59AM (#25913040)
Indeed, a flat phased array can only have a certain limited gain at elevations and azimuths far away from the direction it's pointed in. One of the reasons if you ever see a flat phased array radar inside the nose radome of a air superiority type fighter jet, they're not fixed but also can be mounted on a sort of pan/tilt platform for steering.
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