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A recent firmware release suggests SpaceX is developing a rugged version of its portable Starlink Mini dish.
A Ukrainian Starlink repair expert, Oleg Kutkov, discovered the mention in the firmware’s software code. “The last Starlink firmware now includes support for a new device - MINI1_RUGGED_PROD1,” he tweeted.
Kutkov suspects the rugged dish is built for industrial and military use and will feature a ruggedized case to withstand harsh environments. The prod1 name also suggests the dish model is in production.
The finding arrives over a year after SpaceX told resellers it was preparing a follow-up to the Mini dish. Kutkov indicates that the rugged Mini dish has a different Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) level than the regular Mini model. Last year, SpaceX received regulatory approval to increase the EIRP of the Mini dish model to offer faster, more reliable service.
However, Kutkov says: “The main difference from a regular mini1 is slightly lower EIRP per channel and RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) value. Also, this device includes an additional telemetry stream (separate pop) for some special purposes.”
In April 2024, Kutkov also discovered a mention of a “mini1_prod1” in the firmware. Two months later, SpaceX started inviting some US customers to buy the portable Mini dish, which at the time cost $599. The company has since drastically reduced the price to as low as $199, although the dish requires a Starlink Roam plan.
It’s possible the rugged dish could arrive with a similar high price for early adopters, only for the cost to reduce over time. SpaceX didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.