Don’t miss the full story from our staff writer Susan Ferrechio, whose reporting is the basis of this AI-assisted article.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk said he activated Starlink in Iran after the Islamic Republic’s regime disrupted ground-based access to the internet following the airstrikes from Israel. What is Starlink? Here are some facts about Starlink that you may not know:

• Starlink is Mr. Musk’s satellite-based internet service that can provide connectivity when ground-based internet access is disrupted or unavailable.

• The service operates through hundreds of satellites that orbit close to Earth, specifically designed to reach remote locations and areas with compromised internet infrastructure.

• More than 7,500 active Starlink satellites are currently in orbit, demonstrating the scale of the satellite network.

• Starlink requires the installation of rooftop terminals for users to access the service, indicating specialized hardware is necessary for connectivity.

Read more: Elon Musk activates Starlink internet access in Iran

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