While Starlink’s constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) gets most of the attention, the system’s performance hinges on a critical, earthbound component: the ground station, also known as a gateway. These facilities are the unsung heroes of the network, acting as the vital bridge between the satellites racing overhead and the terrestrial internet backbone.
This guide offers an in-depth examination of what these ground stations are, how they operate, and the engineering that enables high-speed, low-latency satellite internet.
Contents
Starlink Ground Station overview
At its core, a Starlink gateway is a sophisticated data interchange point. Its primary function is to create a two-way communication link: it receives signals from a satellite serving users in a specific region and routes that traffic to the global internet via fiber optic cables. Simultaneously, it receives data from the internet and transmits it up to the satellite, which then relays it to the end-user’s dish.
Think of them as the network’s digital traffic cops. As you stream a movie, your request travels from your dish to a satellite, then to a gateway, and finally to the server hosting the movie, before following the same path back in milliseconds. Maintaining this uninterrupted flow from a fleet of satellites moving at 17,000 mph requires a network of these strategically positioned gateways across the globe.
Core Components
A Starlink gateway is more than just a collection of antennas. Each component is engineered to handle the unique challenges of a large-scale LEO network.
1. Antenna Systems
The most visible feature of a gateway is its collection of radomes—the large, golf ball-like protective shells. Inside each is a phased-array antenna. Unlike a traditional dish that must physically move, these antennas steer their beams electronically. This is crucial for tracking a satellite as it zips across the sky and for executing a seamless, instantaneous “hand-off” to the next satellite coming over the horizon, preventing dropped calls or buffering video.
2. Tracking and Positioning Systems
Each gateway continuously calculates the precise location and trajectory of every satellite in its view. Using this telemetry data, the system predicts the satellite’s path and pre-positions the antenna beams for the next handover, ensuring the connection remains stable and robust.
3. Signal Processing Units
These are the brains of the operation. They receive the raw, complex signals from the antennas and perform the heavy lifting of demodulating, decoding, and error-correcting the data packets. This is also where network resources are managed to ensure efficient use of bandwidth and to minimize interference between the thousands of beams operating in the network.
4. Telemetry and Control Systems
Operators use these systems to monitor the health of the satellite fleet. Real-time data on power levels, temperature, and system status is analyzed to identify potential issues before they cause an outage. This proactive approach allows for remote diagnostics and maintenance, which is essential for a constellation with thousands of satellites.
5. Network Management Software
This software provides a centralized platform for managing the entire network of gateways. It uses intelligent routing algorithms to dynamically send data through the most efficient path, analyzing congestion and latency in real-time to optimize performance and deliver a smooth user experience.
6. Power and Backup Systems
To ensure 99.9% uptime, gateways are equipped with robust power systems. While a UPS and backup generator seem standard, the challenge is regional grid instability. For example, in remote locations like the gateway in Roll, Arizona, the system is designed to run on battery and generator power for up to 72 hours, ensuring service continuity during local outages—a critical design consideration for expanding into developing regions.
Starlink Ground Station Locations
The placement of Starlink gateways is strategic, determined by user density, access to fiber backbones, and local regulatory approval. Below is an interactive map showing the locations of known gateways worldwide.
Africa
In Nigeria, the following gateways are located:
- Ikire (live)
- Lekki (live)
Asia
In Japan, the following gateways are located:
- Akita (live)
- Hitachinaka (live)
- Otaru (live)
- Yamaguchi (live)
In the Philippines, the following gateways are located:
- Angeles (live)
Central & North America
In Canada, the following gateways are located:
- Marathon, Ontario (live)
- Saguenay, Quebec (live)
- Sambro Creek, Nova Scotia (live)
- St Johns, Newfoundland (live)
In the Dominican Republic, the following gateways are located:
- Caleta (unknown)
- Santiago de los Caballeros (live)
In Mexico, the following gateways are located:
- Cabo San Lucas (live)
- Charcas (live)
- El Marques (live)
- Llano Grande (live)
- Mazahua (live)
- Merida (live)
- Monterey (live)
- Peñuelas (live)
- Tapachula (live)
- Villahermosa (live)
In Puerto Rico, the following gateways are located:
- Ponce (live)
- Toa Baja (live)
In the United States, the following gateways are located (among others):
- Adelanto, California (construction ongoing)
- Anchorage, Arkansas (live)
- Anderson, South Carolina (construction pending)
- Angola, Indiana (construction ongoing)
- Arbuckle, California (construction pending)
- Arlington, Oregon (construction pending)
- Arvin, California (construction pending)
- Atlanta, Georgia (construction pending)
- Baxley, Georgia (live)
- Beekmantown, New York (live)
- Bellingham, Washington (live)
- Benkelman, Nebraska (construction ongoing)
- Blountsville, Alabama (construction ongoing)
- Boca Chica, Texas (live)
- Boydton, Virginia (construction pending)
- Brewster, Washington (live)
- Broadview, Illinois (live)
- Brunswick, Maine (construction ongoing)
- Butte, Montana (live)
- Cass County, North Dakota (live)
- Charleston, Oregon (live)
- Charleston, South Carolina (construction pending)
- Cheyenne, Wyoming (construction pending)
- Clinton, Illinois (construction ongoing)
- Colburn, Idaho (live)
- Columbus, Ohio (unknown)
- Conrad, Montana (live)
- Des Moines, Iowa (construction pending)
- Dumas, Texas (live)
- Elbert, Colorado (live)
- Elkton, Maryland (unknown)
- Evanston, Wyoming (live)
- Fairbanks, Alaska (live)
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida (live)
- Frederick, Maryland (live)
- Gaffney, South Carolina (live)
- Greenville, Pennsylvania (live)
- Hamshire, Texas (live)
- Hawthorne, California (live)
- Hillman, Michigan (live)
- Hillsboro, Texas (live)
- Hitterdal, Minnesota (live)
- Inman, Kansas (live)
- Kalama, Washington (live)
- Kenansville, Florida (live)
- Ketchikan, Alaska (live)
- Kuparuk, Alaska (live)
- Lawrence, Kansas (live)
- Litchfield, Connecticut (live)
- Lockport, New York (live)
- Loring, Maine (live)
- Lunenberg, Vermont (live)
- Mandale, North Carolina (live)
- Manistique, Michigan (live)
- Marcell, Minnesota (live)
- Marshall, Texas (construction ongoing)
- McGregor, Texas (live)
- Merrillan, Wisconsin (live)
- Molokai, Hawaii (live)
- Mt Ayr, Indiana (live)
- Murrieta, California (construction pending)
- Nemaha, Nebraska (live)
- New Braunfels, Texas (live)
- Nome, Alaska (live)
- Norcross, Georgia (live)
- North Bend, Washington (construction pending)
- Olympia, Washington (construction pending)
- Panaca, Nevada (live)
- Port Matilda, Pennsylvania (construction ongoing)
- Prosser, Washington (live)
- Punta Gorda, Florida (live)
- Quincy, Washington (construction pending)
- Redmond, Washington (live)
- Richardson, Texas (construction pending)
- Roberts, Wisconsin (construction ongoing)
- Robbins, California (live)
- Robertsdale, Alabama (live)
- Rolette, North Dakota (live)
- Roll, Arizona (live)
- Romulus, New York (construction ongoing)
- San Antonio, Texas (construction pending)
- Sanderson, Texas (live)
- Savanna, Oklahoma (construction ongoing)
- Savannah, Tennessee (unknown)
- Sheffield, Illinois (construction ongoing)
- Slope County, North Dakota (live)
- Springer, Oklahoma (live)
- Sullivan, Maine (live)
- The Dalles, Oregon (construction pending)
- Tionesta, California (live)
- Tracy City, Tennessee (live)
- Vernon, Utah (live)
- Warren, Missouri (live)
- Wichita Falls, Texas (construction pending)
- Wise, North Carolina (live)
- York, Pennsylvania (construction pending)
Europe
In France, the following gateways are located:
- Villenave d’Ornon (live)
In Germany, the following gateways are located:
- Aerzen (live)
- Frankfurt (live)
In Ireland, the following gateways are located:
- Ballinspittle (live)
- Elfordstown (live)
In Italy, the following gateways are located:
- Foggia (live)
- Marsala (live)
- Milano (live)
In Norway, the following gateways are located:
- Tromsø (live)
In Poland, the following gateways are located:
- Wola Krobowska (live)
In Portugal, the following gateways are located:
- Alfouvar de Cima (live)
In Spain, the following gateways are located:
- Ibi (live)
- Lepe (live)
- Villarejo de Salvanes (live)
In the United Kingdom, the following gateways are located (among others):
- Chalfont Grove (live)
- Fawley (unknown)
- Goonhilly (live)
- …
- Wherstead (under construction)
- Woodwalton (unknown)
Far East & Middle East
In Oman, the following gateway is located:
- Murayjat (live)
In Turkey, the following gateway is located:
- Muallim (live)
Oceania
In Australia, the following gateways are located (among others):
- Bogantungan (unknown)
- Boorowa (live)
- Broken Hill (live)
- …
- Warra (live)
- Willows (unknown)
In Fiji, the following gateway is located:
- Suva (live)
In New Zealand, the following gateways are located:
- Awarua (live)
- Cleavdon (live)
- Cromwell (live)
- Hinds (live)
- Puwera (live)
- Te Hana (live)
South America
In Argentina, the following gateway is located:
- Falda del Carmen (live)
In Brazil, the following gateways are located (among others):
- Camaçari (live)
- Guarapari (live)
- Itaboraí (live)
- João Câmara (unknown)
- Luz, (live)
- Manaus (live)
- Montes Carlos (live)
- Mossoró (live)
- Passa Quatro (unknown)
- Porto Alegre (live)
- Presidente Prudente (live)
- Rio Negro (live)
- Santana de Parnaíba (unknown)
- São Gonçalo do Amarante (unknown)
- Surubim (live)
- Uruguaiana (live)
You can also check out the comparison between Starlink vs Viasat Satellite Internet.
Commitment to Accuracy
The gateway locations on this map have been compiled from public records, including FCC and international regulatory filings, and cross-referenced with community-sourced data. It is believed to be accurate as of June 2025. The “Why” behind this page is to provide the most comprehensive, publicly available resource for researchers and enthusiasts tracking Starlink’s infrastructure. For official network status, please refer to Starlink’s official resources.
The technology inside Starlink gateways is constantly evolving to meet new demands.
One of the most significant advancements is the use of machine learning in signal processing. By analyzing vast datasets, these algorithms can now predict potential signal degradation caused by atmospheric conditions like heavy rain and proactively reroute traffic to a different satellite or gateway before the user experiences any slowdown. According to research in the field, this can prevent service interruptions with remarkable accuracy.
Another key area is intelligent traffic routing. As the constellation grows, the network becomes more complex. Future gateways will use AI-driven algorithms to route data not just based on the shortest path, but on the most energy-efficient or cost-effective path, dynamically optimizing the entire network’s performance on a global scale.
Also Read: What is Starlink Starshield?
FAQs
It acts as an intermediary, receiving data from the orbiting satellites and connecting it to the terrestrial internet infrastructure via fiber optics, and vice-versa.
It uses advanced phased-array antennas that can steer their communication beams electronically, without physical movement. This allows for precise, instantaneous tracking and seamless handovers between satellites.
All traffic between the satellite and the ground station is protected with robust, end-to-end encryption protocols. The ground stations adhere to strict security standards to prevent unauthorized access.
The Starlink ground station is an integral part of the Starlink project, ensuring reliable communication, optimizing network performance, and enhancing the user experience. Its advancements in technology and its critical role in data.
Conclusion
While the satellites capture our imagination, the Starlink ground station network is the pragmatic, powerful heart of the system. Through the integration of advanced antennas, intelligent software, and robust infrastructure, these gateways ensure the promise of global, high-speed connectivity becomes a reality for individuals and communities worldwide.