Starlink Mini: Firmware Reveals New Version with Integrated Battery

The firmware code of Elon Musk's satellite platform anticipates hardware moves for the upcoming months. Jinwei Zhao, a PhD student at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, analyzing the firmware release from May 7, discovered precise clues pointing to a new model of Starlink Mini equipped with an integrated battery and native USB-C port.

Zhao, who collaborates with the research team of Professor Jianping Pan focused on satellite internet services, continuously monitors software updates distributed by SpaceX. The latest discovery lies within the implementation of the open-source gRPC protocol, which is used to enable communication between terminals and servers. For the first time in the code text, the commands PowerSource_USBC, PowerSource_BATTERY, and PowerSource_USBC_AND_BATTERY appeared.

Starlink: Enhanced Dish with Integrated Battery on the Way

Confirming the thesis of hardware with an integrated battery, there is also the string DishBatteryStats, a function designed to return three specific parameters: the remaining charge state (state_of_charge), the expected charging indicator currently in progress, and the energy source utilized in real-time. Currently, no compact terminal from SpaceX has such technical specifications, indicating that the company is testing software support prior to commercial debut.

The new power-related strings seem tied to another recent discovery made by Oleg Kutkov, a Ukrainian expert in repairing Starlink terminals, who previously identified the term MINI1_RUGGED_PROD1 in the firmware. This identification points towards an ultra-resistant dish designed for industrial and military use, markets where energy autonomy and versatility of field connections are fundamental requirements.

Currently, users using the Starlink Mini on the move are forced to rely on extra accessories, purchasing the official Barrel Jack to USB-C adapter, using cables for car cigarette lighter sockets, or connecting third-party power banks. The integration of a direct USB-C port would drastically simplify the infrastructure, allowing the terminal to be powered using common smartphone and laptop chargers already in the users' possession.

There are still concerns regarding weight and size. To adhere to the concept of maximum portability, SpaceX engineers may have opted for a smaller capacity cell, capable of ensuring an estimated runtime of one to two hours of continuous operation. Such a specification would still be crucial in emergency contexts, in off-grid installations, and in fieldwork, as it would act as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), allowing the user to switch between different external power sources without experiencing disconnection from the satellite network. SpaceX, when queried about the matter, did not provide official comments regarding the development of the terminal.