SpaceX appears to be developing a battery-powered version of its compact Starlink Mini dish, according to clues found in recent firmware updates. The discovery, made by researcher Jinwei Zhao and reported by PCMag, reveals strings in a May firmware release that reference a "DishBatteryStats" message, hinting at an integrated power source.
If confirmed, the battery-powered Starlink Mini would eliminate the need for an external power source, offering untethered connectivity for vanlifers, emergency responders, and digital nomads. The dish, already known for its small size and low power consumption, could provide fast, low-latency internet from virtually anywhere on the globe without being plugged in. While details on battery capacity and runtime remain unknown, the move would mark a significant step toward truly portable satellite internet.