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2
src/components/Footer.svelte
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@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
<div class="footer-container">
<FemtoStarLogo height={42} width={33} color="#FFFFFF75" />
<div class="footer-text">
Copyright 2024 - <a href="https://matrix.to/#/!COEHOXujBzfAHAVzPG:matrix.org">Matrix</a> / <a href="https://git.femtostar.com">GitLab</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/FemtoStar">X</a>
Copyright 2024 - <a href="https://matrix.to/#/!COEHOXujBzfAHAVzPG:matrix.org">Matrix</a> / <a href="https://git.femtostar.com">Git</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/FemtoStar">X</a>
</div>
</div>

19
src/components/Nav.svelte
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@ -25,9 +25,9 @@
<div class="dropdown">
<div
class="dropdown-name"
class:bold={segment === "global-open-infrastructure" ||
segment === "privacy-by-design" ||
segment === "free-open-source"}
class:bold={$page.url.pathname === "/global-open-infrastructure" ||
$page.url.pathname === "/privacy-by-design" ||
$page.url.pathname === "/free-open-source"}
>
more
</div>
@ -41,16 +41,16 @@
<NavItem
{segment}
href="./privacy-by-design"
matchingSegment="/privacy-by-design"
humanName="privacy by design"
href="./free-open-source"
matchingSegment="/free-open-source"
humanName="free and open-source"
/>
<NavItem
{segment}
href="./free-open-source"
matchingSegment="/free-open-source"
humanName="free and open-source"
href="./privacy-by-design"
matchingSegment="/privacy-by-design"
humanName="privacy by design"
/>
</div>
</div>
@ -82,6 +82,7 @@
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
cursor: default;
/*font-weight: bold;*/
}
.bold {

33
src/routes/+page.svelte
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@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
<TalkingPointName text="Global Open Infrastructure" />
<TalkingPointContent>
<p>
Our satellites are open infrastructure - that means anyone can use them
FemtoStar satellites are open infrastructure - that means anyone can use them
without needing to go through an official gateway. This makes FemtoStar
a flexible, open, and inherently net-neutral network, able not just to
connect users to the services we provide, but to serve as a platform for
@ -45,21 +45,6 @@
</TalkingPointContent>
</TalkingPointContainer>
<TalkingPointContainer>
<TalkingPointName text="Privacy by design, not just by promise" />
<TalkingPointContent>
<p>
Many products only promise privacy. FemtoStar is different. Privacy and
security are verifiably baked into every part of the system, all the way
down to the lowest level details. We couldn't violate your privacy even
if we wanted to.
</p>
<p>
<a rel="prefetch" href="./privacy-by-design">Learn more →</a>
</p>
</TalkingPointContent>
</TalkingPointContainer>
<TalkingPointContainer>
<TalkingPointName
text="Free and open-source technology, built by a global community"
@ -78,6 +63,22 @@
</TalkingPointContent>
</TalkingPointContainer>
<TalkingPointContainer>
<TalkingPointName text="Privacy by design, not just by promise" />
<TalkingPointContent>
<p>
Many products merely promise privacy. FemtoStar is different. Privacy and
security are baked into every part of the system, all the way
down to the lowest level details. Unlike any other wide-area telecommunications network,
FemtoStar offers verifiable guarantees that user privacy is unconditionally
protected.
</p>
<p>
<a rel="prefetch" href="./privacy-by-design">Learn more →</a>
</p>
</TalkingPointContent>
</TalkingPointContainer>
<PartnerContainer />
</div>

40
src/routes/about-contact/+page.svelte
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@ -15,11 +15,11 @@
<p>
The FemtoStar Project is a global community of developers working
towards one common goal - better, more open, and more private
communications, anywhere on earth. At the core of the FemtoStar Project
is FemtoStar Inc., a Canadian corporation wholly owned by FemtoStar
Project members and tasked with ownership and operation of the FemtoStar
communications, anywhere on earth. FemtoStar Project members own and
operate FemtoStar Inc., a Canadian corporation tasked with the ownership,
maintenance, and operation of the FemtoStar
satellite constellation. However, development of the hardware and
software that make FemtoStar possible is undertaken by a global
software that make FemtoStar possible is undertaken by our global
community of volunteer developers with experience ranging from embedded
hardware, to secure telecommunications, to software development, to
aerospace.
@ -46,28 +46,34 @@
website or of our satellite, then dot com. </span>h<span class="c">
</span>e<span class="c">Lorem</span>l<span class="j">ipsum</span>l<span class="c">dolor</span>o<span class="c">sit</span> а<span class="c">amet</span>t
f<span class="c">consectetur</span>e<span class="j">adipiscing</span>m<span class="c">elit</span>t<span class="c">Sed</span>o<span class="j">dolor</span>s<span class="c">sem</span>t<span class="c">lacinia</span>a<span class="c">ac</span>r
d<span class="c">euismod</span>о<span class="j">vitae</span>t c<span class="c">hendrerit</span>o<span class="j">sit</span>m (if you have Tutanota, you can send end-to-end encrypted mail here too).
d<span class="c">euismod</span>о<span class="j">vitae</span>t c<span class="c">hendrerit</span>o<span class="j">sit</span>m.
</p>
</TalkingPointContent>
</TalkingPointContainer>
<!--
this section was severely out-of-date and is now entirely duplicative of information also
on the FAQ page - it's been commented out for now, but could return if someone cares
to rewrite it
<TalkingPointContainer>
<TalkingPointName text="History" />
<TalkingPointContent>
<p>
Development of what is now FemtoStar began with a project named Private
Development of what is now FemtoStar began with a concept named Private
Mobile Data Protocol (PMDP). While PMDP was intended to be a terrestrial
network, many of the design elements now used in the FemtoStar Protocol
were initially designed for this project. A series of tests in
real-world urban and suburban environments throughout 2019 led to the
conclusion that, without a dense network and an impractically large
number of towers, reasonable coverage, even only at low speeds and only
number of towers, providing reasonable coverage, even if only at low speeds and only
within city centers, was impractical with a license-free terrestrial
network.
</p>
<p>
In early 2020, the decision was made to research the implementation of a
In early 2020, we decided to research the implementation of a
PMDP-like network in a Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) system. While
Mobile Satellite Service hardware (such as satellite phones, portable
satellite internet terminals, and machine-to-machine/IoT satellite data
@ -79,21 +85,21 @@
</p>
<p>
Within a month, a basic plan had been developed, and many of the
remaining problems of the PMDP protocol (such as its lack of any
mechanism for payment for service) had been solved. The core of the
proposed network was a constellation of very small communications
satellites - a design we named FemtoStar.
By mid-2020, a plan had been developed, and many of the
remaining problems of PMDP (such as its lack of any mechanism for payment
for service, without which "free" DDoS attacks on the network would have
been possible) had been solved. The core of the proposed network was now
a constellation of very small communications satellites - a design we
named FemtoStar.
</p>
<p>
As the FemtoStar Project grew, development continued throughout 2020. In
2021, FemtoStar Inc. was incorporated in Canada as an entity to own and
In 2021, FemtoStar Inc. was incorporated in Canada as an entity to own and
operate the FemtoStar satellite constellation on behalf of the FemtoStar
Project.
Project.
</p>
</TalkingPointContent>
</TalkingPointContainer>
</TalkingPointContainer>-->
</div>
<style>

27
src/routes/donate/+page.svelte
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@ -13,8 +13,8 @@
<TalkingPointName text="Donations" />
<TalkingPointContent>
<p>
The FemtoStar Project is a community of volunteers funded by a grant from our partner NLnet,
out-of-pocket by some of our members, and from donations by our community. Nobody is required
The FemtoStar Project is a community of volunteers, to date funded primarily out-of-pocket by some of our members,
and from donations by our community. Nobody is required
to donate, and we currently don't have much in terms of perks for donors, but if you'd like to see
this project succeed and are able to, consider throwing a few dollars our way or setting up
a recurring donation through Liberapay.
@ -31,9 +31,16 @@
<TalkingPointName text="Donate via PayPal" />
<TalkingPointContent>
<p>
Via PayPal, we accept both one-time donations directly via PayPal, and recurring donations via Liberapay
We accept both one-time donations directly via PayPal, and recurring donations via Liberapay
(processed using PayPal).
</p>
<p>
Since PayPal required our account to belong to a specific legal entity, PayPal
donations go to FemtoStar Inc., and are used to purchase components and produce prototype hardware for
use by the FemtoStar Project. FemtoStar Inc. is owned and operated entirely by FemtoStar Project volunteers,
and exists to assist the FemtoStar Project in production of hardware, and in ownership and operation of the
FemtoStar Network (see <a href="/faq">our FAQ</a> for further details).
</p>
<p>
<b>PayPal (one-time donation):</b> <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=M2N5N2B624CNQ&source=url">Click Here</a>
</p>
@ -51,10 +58,15 @@
one of the following addresses.
</p>
<p>
<b>Bitcoin:</b> <span class="crypto-address">bc1qnytm8arpuz247622yef070nvxx56qp6dqwl80s</span>
These addresses go to wallets controlled by a group of core FemtoStar Project volunteers. Donations to them are used to cover
hosting and domain costs, purchase hardware and tools, and otherwise support FemtoStar Project development
directly.
</p>
<p>
<b>Monero:</b> <span class="crypto-address">83YcY9dsxARYkS4AaKVNkEJTLMQnuvuzSSij9vC7SqU7eriCpHHBsrs2ijKE6MQjobUShY4D2kjQTZ3XXp7WMtR7PdjKrx9</span>
<b>Bitcoin:</b> <span class="crypto-address"><a target="_blank" href="bitcoin:bc1qnytm8arpuz247622yef070nvxx56qp6dqwl80s?label=FemtoStar%20Donation">bc1qnytm8arpuz247622yef070nvxx56qp6dqwl80s</a></span>
</p>
<p>
<b>Monero:</b> <span class="crypto-address"><a target="_blank" href="monero:86EMaQV5nfKMZ8HowG9RTugLdu7tV8MqgHvTvV2qwXEsXAMBMVZMQ2AgwsKhxqZEiM8nTruWPrp6YcdvAv4WveiXFSTbRnu?tx_description=FemtoStar%20Donation">86EMaQV5nfKMZ8HowG9RTugLdu7tV8MqgHvTvV2qwXEsXAMBMVZMQ2AgwsKhxqZEiM8nTruWPrp6YcdvAv4WveiXFSTbRnu</a></span>
</p>
</TalkingPointContent>
</TalkingPointContainer>
@ -64,8 +76,9 @@
<TalkingPointContent>
<p>
If you would like to donate via a method not listed above (such as via
a different payment processor or in a different cryptocurrency), please
<a href="about-contact/">contact us</a> and we'd be glad to help set something up.
a different payment processor or in a different cryptocurrency), or if you
want more information before you donate, please
<a href="about-contact/">contact us</a> and we'd be glad to help you.
</p>
</TalkingPointContent>
</TalkingPointContainer>

258
src/routes/faq/+page.svelte
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@ -56,14 +56,14 @@
</FAQItem>
<FAQItem title="Who makes FemtoStar terminals?">
FemtoStar plans to take a hybrid approach to manufacturing and selling
terminals. FemtoStar's higher-sales-volume "core" user terminals will be
The FemtoStar Project intends to take a hybrid approach to terminal
manufacturing and sales. Higher-volume "core" user terminals will be
manufactured and sold primarily by hardware partners, allowing us to
leverage existing manufacturing and sales infrastructure. Meanwhile,
development and reference hardware, as well as more specialized
terminals will be made in Canada by FemtoStar, at the same facility
where we build our satellites. Every FemtoStar terminal is based on
FemtoStar-developed reference designs.
terminals will be made in Canada by FemtoStar Inc., at the same facility
where build our satellites. Every FemtoStar terminal is based on
FemtoStar Project-developed reference designs.
</FAQItem>
<FAQItem title="What speeds do you anticipate being available?">
@ -84,7 +84,7 @@
BGAN, Iridium Certus, or Thuraya IP. In these services, as in
FemtoStar, designing for this middle category means that users can
expect performance much better than a narrowband system, while still
having a portable terminal much smaller than those needed for
having a truly-portable terminal much smaller than those needed for
broadband systems. Like the aforementioned MSS options, a typical
FemtoStar terminal should provide in the mid-hundreds of kbps, using a
terminal roughly the size of a tablet or small laptop.
@ -94,7 +94,7 @@
Of course, FemtoStar's design still allows for flexibility on the size
and speed of terminals - users should be able to choose their own
balance between speed, cost, and portability. As such, depending on
the size of the terminal, FemtoStar should be able to accomodate
the size of the terminal, the FemtoStar network should be able to accomodate
larger terminals in the megabits-per-second range, or smaller
terminals with reduced (if still better than typical narrowband
offerings) speeds in a pocket-sized form factor.
@ -103,29 +103,58 @@
<FAQItem title="Is the FemtoStar Credit Token a cryptocurrency?">
<p>
No, at least not by any usual definition of the term. While they are a
No, at least not by any usual definition of the term. While the Credit Token system is a
digital system used to pay for service, and while they do make use of
cryptographic signatures for security, FemtoStar Credit Tokens are not
transacted on a blockchain, cannot be mined, and are not intended for
use as anything other than payment for FemtoStar service. While
third-party users are free to buy and sell Credit Tokens at any price
they are able to, their value in FemtoStar service is fixed.
use as anything other than payment for FemtoStar service.
</p>
</FAQItem>
<FAQItem title="How do I buy FemtoStar tokens? Are they available yet?">
<p>
Once our network is operational, you will be able to purchase
FemtoStar tokens from FemtoStar via a retail token sales portal, from
a third-party reseller, in bulk from FemtoStar via a wholesale
agreement, or from anyone else willing to sell them to you. While the
FemtoStar Project is capable of pre-issuing tokens that will be usable
once the network is operational, we do not currently offer pre-issued
retail tokens to the general public, due to the inherent risk to
FemtoStar tokens from FemtoStar Inc. via a retail token sales portal, from
a third-party reseller, or in bulk via a wholesale
agreement. While FemtoStar Inc. would be capable of pre-issuing tokens that would be usable
once the network was operational, they are not yet available for sale, due to the inherent risk to
consumers of purchasing a service before it is available. If you are
interested in working with us to purchase wholesale tokens, for resale
interested in working with FemtoStar Inc.
as a token reseller or for a large deployment of FemtoStar hardware as
an enterprise user, please <a href="./about-contact">contact us</a>.
an enterprise user, please contact
<span class="j">This address has been hidden to prevent spam being received. If you are reading this website as plain text or through a screen reader, the correct address is the word inc, that's I. N. C., then the symbol spelled with the letter before B and then the letter after S, then the name of this
website or of our satellite, then dot com. </span>i<span class="c">
</span><span class="c">Lorem</span>n<span class="j">ipsum</span><span class="c">dolor</span>c<span class="c">sit</span> а<span class="c">amet</span>t
f<span class="c">consectetur</span>e<span class="j">adipiscing</span>m<span class="c">elit</span>t<span class="c">Sed</span>o<span class="j">dolor</span>s<span class="c">sem</span>t<span class="c">lacinia</span>a<span class="c">ac</span>r
d<span class="c">euismod</span>о<span class="j">vitae</span>t c<span class="c">hendrerit</span>o<span class="j">sit</span>m.
</p>
</FAQItem>
<FAQItem title="Who is the FemtoStar Project? Who is FemtoStar Inc.?">
<p>
The FemtoStar Project is a global volunteer community of developers, working on
technology for global, open communications infrastructure. For more
information about the FemtoStar Project, or to contact us, see
<a href="./about-contact">about & contact</a>.
</p>
<p>
FemtoStar Inc., located in Canada, is the company tasked with the manufacturing
and operation of the FemtoStar satellite constellation, based on the free and
open-source designs and specifications developed and published by the FemtoStar
Project.
</p>
<p>
FemtoStar Inc. exists to provide the FemtoStar Project with an entity which
can manufacture the satellites, hold licenses for the constellation, purchase
services such as satellite launch or component fabrication, and can handle
the day-to-day operation of the constellation once operational. While
FemtoStar Inc. consists entirely of FemtoStar Project members, and exists
to manufacture and operate the system developed by the FemtoStar Project,
the FemtoStar Project is entirely independent of FemtoStar Inc., and its developments
are freely usable, even outside the context of the network operated by
FemtoStar Inc.
</p>
</FAQItem>
</TalkingPointContent>
@ -139,11 +168,11 @@
<a href="https://starlink.com">Starlink</a> is a low-earth-orbit communications
constellation developed by SpaceX. While we have a tremendous amount of
respect for the engineering accomplishments of the Starlink network, its
goals and those of FemtoStar are almost entirely separate. While both intend
goals and those of FemtoStar are largely separate. While both intend
to provide satellite communications service using low-earth orbit constellations,
Starlink is designed to provide consumer broadband services to large, fixed
Starlink is designed primarily to provide consumer broadband services to large, fixed
terminals (in the satellite industry, this is known as Fixed Satellite
Service). FemtoStar, on the other hand, is designed for midband services
Service). FemtoStar, on the other hand, is designed for truly-mobile midband services
to small and medium, portable or in-motion terminals (also known as Mobile
Satellite Service).
</p>
@ -164,16 +193,16 @@
<p>
Starlink terminals are uniquely identified on the network, and can be
easily geolocated by the network (whether they report their GPS
location is currently unknown, but the network is certainly able to
geolocate them accurately, as they are disallowed from accessing the
readily geolocated by the network, as they are often disallowed from accessing the
network outside of the small region, or "cell", where their user's
address is registered). Starlink users are required to provide a
substantial amount of personal information in order to purchase
service. Payments are handled on ground infrastructure, based on user
accounts. FemtoStar does not require any user account whatsoever, is
not restricted to use in a small cell, and handles payments on the
satellite itself using FemtoStar Credit Tokens.
address is registered. Starlink users are required to provide a
significant amount of personal information in order to purchase
service, in line with traditional telecommunications services. Payments for service
are handled on ground infrastructure, based on user accounts, and generally
are not possible using privacy-respecting payment methods. FemtoStar users
do not require any user account whatsoever, and payments are handled on the satellite
itself using FemtoStar Credit Tokens. Geolocation of FemtoStar users by the FemtoStar
network is, by design, infeasible.
</p>
</FAQItem>
@ -222,9 +251,9 @@
>
<p>
We're big fans of a number of the terrestrial privacy-respecting
communications projects currently in development - in fact, FemtoStar <a
href="./about-contact">began as a terrestrial network</a
>, named Private Mobile Data Protocol (PMDP).
communications projects currently in development - in fact, what is now FemtoStar
<a href="./about-contact">began in concept as a terrestrial system</a>,
which we then called Private Mobile Data Protocol (PMDP).
</p>
<p>
@ -237,11 +266,12 @@
> to build mainstream cellular networks out to their current coverage,
and even with this it's likely you still sometimes have problems getting
cellular service. We began with the assumption that a terrestrial network
would be the only practical solution, and extensively tested PMDP hardware
in real-world urban and suburban environments. Eventually, even we - the
developers of the technology - were forced to admit that it was impractical
without an impractically dense network, even for a small, urban implementation
- letalone regional or global coverage.
would be the only practical solution, and extensively tested a variety of
popular license-free radio hardware - including LoRa, 802.11, and 802.15.4 transceivers -
in real-world urban and suburban environments. Eventually, we were forced to
admit that a workable community-operated mobile telecommunications network would be impractical
in all but the most densely-populated areas, and even there only with the
right combination of ideally-situated transceivers and minimal obstruction by structures.
</p>
<p>
@ -250,10 +280,11 @@
kilometer (3200 feet) away from somewhere a mesh node or base station
in a community-run terrestrial network could be installed without
being removed, stolen, or tampered with, and if anyone nearby would be
willing to pay for, install, and maintain such a device. We tried
this, with real hardware, in a real city, in 2019, and came to the
conclusion that that, in contrast to being an easier solution, it was
likely outright impossible in most circumstances.
willing to purchase, install, and maintain such a device. We installed a
series of LoRa transceivers in a real city in 2019 as a test of our PMDP
concept, mapped their coverage under a variety of conditions, and came to
the conclusion that that, rather than being an easier solution, such a
network was likely outright impossible in most circumstances.
</p>
<p>
@ -276,7 +307,7 @@
extend coverage, this still does not allow for coverage where there
are no nodes. The same thought experiment applies - are you always
within a kilometer of someone else who might have a node in the mesh?
If you have your own node in the mesh, is there ever another node
If you have your own node in the mesh, is there often another node
nearby for it to mesh with? If not, a mesh network may not be
practical in your situation. Even where mesh networks are practical,
FemtoStar could still be used to interconnect regions where the mesh
@ -289,28 +320,43 @@
title="I've used satellite internet, and the latency is pretty bad - is this true of FemtoStar too?"
>
<p>
Not to nearly the same degree. While the distance to the satellite
If the service you have used was via a geostationary network, then
not to nearly the same degree. While the distance to the satellite
does add some amount of latency due to the time taken for the signal
to reach the satellite, the round-trip propagation time to a low-earth
orbit satellite is a handful of milliseconds, not the hundreds of
milliseconds familiar to users of geostationary satellite networks.
Ping time on FemtoStar should be less than a tenth of that which a
geostationary satellite user would experience, if even that.
</p>
<p>
In general, latency via low-earth orbit satellite networks, with the possible
exception of some narrowband services, is comparable to that of terrestrial
mobile networks, and is generally unproblematic for most applications. This
goes for FemtoStar as well.
</p>
</FAQItem>
<FAQItem title="How do you plan to mitigate orbital debris?">
<p>
In contrast to the vast majority of small satellites, FemtoStar plans
to include electric propulsion onboard our satellites, allowing them
to be repositioned as needed and cleanly deorbited at end-of-life. The
FemtoStar Project is working closely with Applied Ion Systems, a
leading developer of open-hardware smallsat propulsion hardware, to
develop a specialized implementation of their technology for use
onboard the FemtoStar space vehicle. Even in the event of a thruster
failure, the solar panel can be positioned to drastically increase
atmospheric drag on the satellite, rapidly increasing orbital decay
and deorbiting the satellite.
to include electric propulsion onboard the satellites used in our
constellation, allowing them to be repositioned as needed and cleanly
deorbited at end-of-life. The FemtoStar Project is working closely with
Applied Ion Systems, a leading developer of open-hardware smallsat
propulsion hardware, to develop a specialized implementation of their
technology for use onboard our satellite.
</p>
<p>
In addition to this, while the exact orbital parameters of the final
constellation are undecided at this time, the requirement to launch
via typical rideshare missions usually entails deployment at orbits generally
considered sufficiently self-cleaning to accomodate satellites without
any onboard propulsion at all, causing them to eventually re-enter simply
due to atmospheric drag. While satellites used in the constellation may
raise their orbits somewhat after deployment, any satellites not intended
to station-keep within the final constellation and so possibly deployed
without onboard propulsion (such as possible early test versions) would
simply remain at their deployed altitude and re-enter due to atmospheric
drag like a typical smallsat.
</p>
</FAQItem>
@ -323,7 +369,7 @@
continuous coverage. Practical constellation layouts begin at around
48 satellites (and include the layout shown on our <a href="./"
>homepage</a
>. We have also considered the possibility of starting with a larger
>). We have also considered the possibility of starting with a larger
constellation of up to 96 satellites, however we believe the most
reasonable approach would be to begin with the minimum practical
number of satellites (likely 48) and then scale up the constellation
@ -343,15 +389,15 @@
far larger satellites, and is designed with longevity in mind. The
network as a whole also protects against network-wide failure as a
result of the failure of a single satellite - most regions, especially
those with a latitude near the inclination of the satellites such as
North America Europe, and Oceania, and much of Asia and South America
- are covered redundantly, and even elsewhere, the "gap" caused when
those with a latitude near the inclination of the satellites (such as
North America, Europe, Oceania, and much of Asia and South America)
are covered redundantly, and even elsewhere, the "gap" caused when
the only satellite visible to a user has failed is short - lasting
only minutes or less before working satellites come into view.
</p>
<p>
For most users, a satellite failure would likely be noticeable only as
For many users, a satellite failure would likely be noticeable only as
a decrease in the network's coverage angle, while for those in the
aforementioned near-inclination regions, it might not be noticeable at
all. Finally, FemtoStar would be able to rapidly and inexpensively
@ -388,19 +434,18 @@
that could be used for privacy-respecting communications, FemtoStar
still does substantially better than just about any other
privacy-respecting communications network. For one thing, it uses a
substantially more directional antenna than any terrestrial mobile,
substantially more directional antenna than any terrestrial mobile network,
which means its transmitted signal is very weak in any direction but
that of the satellite.
</p>
<p>
Its connection to the satellite is also is encrypted, and even to the
satellite, it does not contain a location, terminal identifier, user
account, or any other identifying details. The terminal never
transmits when it has no session open with the satellite, and, unlike
mesh network nodes, it cannot be made to transmit by the traffic of
another user unless the terminal's owner has chosen to operate their
own service over the network.
A user's traffic to the satellite is also is encrypted, and never includes
a location, terminal identifier, user account, or any other identifying
details about the user. The terminal never transmits when it has no session open with
the satellite, and, unlike mesh network nodes, it cannot be made to transmit
by the traffic of another user unless the terminal's owner has chosen to
operate their own service over the network.
</p>
</FAQItem>
@ -408,20 +453,16 @@
title="Don't FemtoStar's satellites have to know where I am, based on which beam I use?"
>
<p>
In theory, to some extent, but in practice, not meaningfully. In
contrast to traditional communications satellites, a FemtoStar
satellite, at least for transmit, does not have a consistent beam
pattern. Instead, electronic beamforming is used to point each of only
a handful of beams, rapidly switching beam patterns as the satellite
jumps between active sessions. The footprints within which these beams
are usable are hundreds of kilometers across, even at their narrowest,
and more than 2000 kilometers long. In addition, knowing where "you"
are, as opposed to just knowing the rough area in which one of the
network's users is located, requires knowing who you are. As such, the
satellite could determine that an anonymous session is within, for
example, northern Europe, western North America, or eastern Asia, but
not that it is in a particular country or city, and certainly not who
that session belongs to.
In theory, to some extent, but in practice, not meaningfully. A FemtoStar
satellite has only a handful of beams in use at any given moment, and
the footprints within which these beams are usable are between 1000
and 4000 kilometers across each, depending on your coverage angle. In addition,
knowing where "you" are, as opposed to just knowing the rough area in which
one of the network's users is located, requires knowing who you are.
As such, the satellite could determine that an anonymous session is
within, for example, northern Europe, western North America, or eastern
Asia, but not that it is in a particular country or city, and certainly not
who that session belongs to.
</p>
</FAQItem>
@ -452,7 +493,7 @@
</p>
<p>
A FemtoStar terminal can even be used as a receive-only device if this
A FemtoStar terminal could theoretically as a receive-only device if this
is acceptable for the user's use case - in this configuration, it
would likely be nearly impossible to geolocate, even with this sort of
attack.
@ -491,15 +532,14 @@
</FAQItem>
<FAQItem
title="FemtoStar Inc. is Canadian - what if I don't trust Canada?"
title="What if I don't trust whatever place the FemtoStar Project is run from?"
>
<p>
See the above point. Even if a malicious government were to take over
the FemtoStar Project and attempt to surveil its users, they would be
FemtoStar Inc., or some part of the development work under the FemtoStar
Project, and attempt to surveil the network's users, they would be
incapable of doing so without making changes that would be immediately
obvious to users, and to our own developers in other countries.
Additionally FemtoStar Inc. in Canada is only one part of the
overarching FemtoStar Project - we have developers all over the world.
</p>
</FAQItem>
@ -515,18 +555,17 @@
The most important point here is that FemtoStar satellites are not
especially useful targets to an attacker. Due to not being a trusted
part of the network, even if they themselves are fully compromised,
they cannot be used to compromise FemtoStar users, nor would they be
much use as part of a botnet, nor would they provide an attacker with
any additional utility in their intended purpose (communications) than
is available officially.
they cannot be used to compromise the security of FemtoStar users,
nor would they be much use as part of a botnet, nor would they provide
an attacker with any additional utility in their intended purpose
(communications) than would be available officially.
</p>
<p>
With regards to compromising the satellites from the ground, the
satellite's onboard software is subject to intense scrutiny, including
through formal proofs, makes extensive use of sandboxing, and, given
the relative simplicity of the FemtoStar protocol, presents a small
attack surface.
through formal proofs of critical components, and, given the relative
simplicity of the FemtoStar protocol, presents a small attack surface.
</p>
<p>
@ -534,7 +573,7 @@
infrastructure in orbit certainly grants it a degree of
inaccessibility compared to terrestrial infrastructure, there are of
course spacecraft which could conceivably reach a FemtoStar satellite,
and could hypothetically either tamper with or replace it. However,
and an attack could be imagined which might either tamper with or replace it. However,
tampering would require physical capture and substantial disassembly
of the satellite, which is detectable and would result in the deletion
of onboard keys, resulting in a tampered-with satellite being easily
@ -544,15 +583,14 @@
</p>
<p>
An attacker could opt to attempt to disable, capture, or destroy a
satellite altogether - after all, if you want to assume that truly no
adversary is off the table, you could choose to consider even the use
of anti-satellite weapons. However, an attacker trying to make the
If you truly want to assume that <i>no</i> attacker is off the table, then
an attacker could opt to attempt to disable, capture, or destroy a
satellite altogether. However, an attacker trying to make the
network truly unusable would need to destroy or disable not just one
satellite, but the entire constellation, and any replacement
satellites, and to do so in a way which obscured their involvement, a
daunting task even for the largest possible adversaries. This type of
attack is also immediately obvious (especially if the satellite is
satellite, but the bulk of the constellation, and any replacement
satellites, and, presumably, would wish to do so in a way which obscured
their involvement, a daunting task even for the largest possible adversaries.
This type of attack is also immediately obvious (especially if the satellite is
physically destroyed, resulting in the generation of orbital debris),
and even this still does not result in an actual compromise
(geolocation, identification, etc.) of FemtoStar users.
@ -572,4 +610,16 @@
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10
src/routes/free-open-source/+page.svelte
View file

@ -17,9 +17,9 @@
<p>
From the user terminal, to the spacecraft, to the ground station,
FemtoStar is powered by free and open-source hardware and software, and
we don't just mean the high-level stuff. Notably, in a world first for
wide-area communications networks, even the FemtoStar air interface and
the low-level radio firmware implementing it will be free and
we don't just mean the high-level stuff. Notably, in what we believe to be
a world first for wide-area communications networks, even the FemtoStar
air interface and the low-level radio firmware implementing it will be free and
open-source software.
</p>
<p>
@ -33,8 +33,8 @@
effective as a piece of open infrastructure - you can build on top of
it, or integrate it into your own products and services. It's what gives
FemtoStar the flexibility to work just as well as an internal backup
network for a business as it does as a portable mobile internet
terminal.
network for a business or a low-data-rate M2M service as it does as a
mobile internet hotspot service.
</p>
<p>
It also allows our users to verify our claims about privacy and

14
src/routes/global-open-infrastructure/+page.svelte
View file

@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
<TalkingPointContent>
<p>
Like any satellite communications system, FemtoStar uses a network of
satellites to allow communications between terminals on earth.
satellites to allow communications between terminals on Earth.
Traditional communications satellites - both those that act as simple
repeaters, and those with onboard routing - fundamentally work by
shuffling data to and from user terminals via a separate,
@ -25,23 +25,23 @@
FemtoStar breaks this distinction. All user hardware can be used both to
connect to and to operate services, directly via the satellites. There
are no special "feeder" links, and no prior arrangement with FemtoStar
is required to operate a service. Credit processing takes place
is required to operate a service. Credit Token processing takes place
on-satellite, and works even when no official ground station is
available.
</p>
<p>
FemtoStar is also developing FemtoStar Real-Time Core Services (RTCS),
The FemtoStar Project is also developing FemtoStar Real-Time Core Services (RTCS),
an open standard for basic communications services such as internet
access over the FemtoStar network. RTCS is intended to provide a global
baseline in FemtoStar-based service, and will be supported by all of our
own ground stations. We encourage RTCS adoption at third-party ground
stations
baseline in FemtoStar-based service, and will be supported by every ground
station operated by FemtoStar Inc. We encourage RTCS adoption at all third-party ground
stations.
</p>
<p>
It's not just services either - the FemtoStar terminal will be released
as an open standard, with an open-hardware reference design, and
FemtoStar will work with third-party terminal manufacturers to license
FemtoStar Inc. will work with third-party terminal manufacturers to license
third-party terminals for use on the FemtoStar network.
</p>
</TalkingPointContent>

17
src/routes/privacy-by-design/+page.svelte
View file

@ -40,15 +40,15 @@
up the connection or handling a moving user. FemtoStar takes advantage
of a unique combination of cautious protocol design, low-level terminal-side
mitigations, and the inherent properties of satellites to ensure that the
location of terminals cannot be determined accurately.
location of user terminals never needs to be, and in fact cannot be, determined accurately.
</li>
<li>
<b>End-to-end encrypted</b> - While most modern communications systems
encrypt traffic over the air, FemtoStar goes a step further. FemtoStar
user traffic is end-to-end encrypted, meaning not even the satellite itself
can decrypt it. What's more, connections are direct - from user, to satellite,
to service. Unless you're connecting to a service we provide, our ground
infrastructure never handles your data even in an encrypted form. This
to service. If you're not connecting to a service we provide, our ground
infrastructure never handles your data at all - encrypted or not. This
also makes FemtoStar inherently net-neutral - after all, if we can't even
decrypt your traffic, we can't selectively limit or throttle it either.
</li>
@ -56,11 +56,12 @@
<b>Private payments</b> - An anonymous system isn't truly anonymous if
users must still provide identifying information in order to pay for service.
FemtoStar's payment system is simple, flexible, and above all, private.
User terminals provide service tokens as they consume service. These tokens
can be bought, stored, sold, used, or transferred freely by the user. They
are not tied to any account or identity, they do not need to be purchased
directly from FemtoStar, and they never expire. Service is priced by satellite
resources consumed, not by time or data usage, so you won't be charged
User terminals provide cryptographic Credit Tokens to the satellite as they consume service. These tokens
can be bought, stored, used, or transferred freely by the user. They
are not linked to any form of user identity, they do not need to be purchased
directly from FemtoStar, and they never expire (when a satellite validates one,
it doesn't even know when it was generated!). Service is priced by satellite
resources (beam time) consumed, not by connection duration or data usage, so you won't be charged
more for staying connected for longer or for connecting with a faster terminal.
</li>
</ul>