Caribbean motor yacht worth $30 million installs Elon Musk's Starlink internet

A Caribbean- and Bahamas-based motor yacht worth $30 million (c. €30,251,000) has installed SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet. In a Twitter post, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk branded the news as ‘cool’.

The 55-metre (180-foot) motor yacht named Loon has been labelled the world's most Instagrammed superyacht. Captain Paul Clarke switched the yacht to Starlink when the maritime version of the service was released in early July 2022.

Founded by billionaire Elon Musk, Starlink currently has more than 2,900 satellites currently in orbit, launched by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets.

Elon Musk walking the red carpet and posing for cameras.

Starlink Maritime on Loon costs $5,000 (c. €5,045) a month for consistent speeds, ranging from 150 Megabits per second to 200 Megabits per second. This is a drop in price from the yacht's previous internet service, Viasat, which charged $10,000 (€10,091) a month for speeds of 50 to 80 Megabits per second.

Paul Clarke, captain of Loon, told Business Insider, “We've thrown everything we can at it, and it hasn't missed a beat.”

SpaceX's new Starlink Maritime aerial on a yacht.

However, when Loon crossed the Atlantic Ocean, Starlink’s service didn't work. According to Clarke, Starlink's support team stated that the service is expected to work in that area towards the end of 2022.

Nonetheless, Clarke told sources that the Starlink maritime service is a ‘total game-changer’ because every television on the yacht is now able to stream in high-definition.

SpaceX's new Starlink Maritime aerial on a yacht

Loon has over 62,000 followers on Instagram, where scenic pictures are posted of the yacht, crew, food onboard, and activities available during her charter.

Loon can also accommodate 12 guests and 14 crew and has an infinity pool, jacuzzi, and open-air bar. When chartering Loon, guests can also enjoy beginner lessons in scuba diving, kite surfing and wake boarding.


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Source: Business Insider

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