SpaceX, the aerospace manufacturer founded by Elon Musk, has announced the release of a compact version of its Starlink antennas called "Starlink Mini." Designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet on the go, the Starlink Mini is advertised as a mobile option for satellite internet customers.

According to a customer email viewed by CNBC, the Starlink Mini is a compact and portable kit that can easily fit in a backpack. It comes with a built-in WiFi router and boasts download speeds of over 100 megabits per second. Weighing just over two pounds and measuring about 12 inches by 10 inches by 1.5 inches, the Starlink Mini is approximately half the size and one-third the weight of Starlink's Standard antenna.

SpaceX is offering a limited number of Starlink Mini antennas for an upfront cost of $599 each in an early access release. This price is $100 more than the base model "Standard" antenna included with its Residential service. However, the company aims to reduce the price in the future, stating that its goal is to make Starlink more affordable for those who have faced connectivity challenges worldwide.

In addition to the hardware cost, service for the Starlink Mini comes at an effective monthly price of $150. This includes 50 gigabytes of data per month. The "Mini Roam" service, which can be used anywhere in the United States, also allows users to purchase additional data at a cost of $1 per gigabyte.

While SpaceX has not specified the start date for Starlink Mini deliveries, the company's Vice President of Starlink Engineering, Michael Nicolls, announced on social media that they are ramping up production. He also added that the product will soon be available in international markets.

Since its launch in 2020, SpaceX's Starlink network has rapidly expanded. With approximately 6,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, the service currently connects over 3 million customers in 100 countries. Initially targeting consumer customers, SpaceX has extended its reach into various sectors, including national security, enterprise, mobility, maritime, and aviation, disrupting the existing satellite communications industry.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk expressed his excitement about the new product, stating that setting up a Starlink Mini takes less than five minutes and claiming it will "change the world." As the demand for reliable internet connectivity continues to grow, the portable and high-speed capabilities of the Starlink Mini antenna offer promising possibilities for users seeking mobile satellite internet options.