Elon Musk’s SpaceX is Supercharging Your WiFi With Thousands of Low-Orbit ‘Starlink’ Satellites
Elon Musk's ambitious Starlink project will consist of 12,000 internet satellites. The FCC has already approved 4,425. | Source: Reuters/AFP; Edited by CCN.com
By CCN.com: Elon Musk is making headlines again, and this time its because he wants to make your internet faster and cheaper.
The Starlink project pioneers the use of low-orbit satellites to provide more efficient internet for the world. Overcoming both rival complaints and regulatory issues , the FCC has approved the endeavor. This is a massive win for Musk, as well as most of the people of Earth.
Elon Musk’s “Starlink” Project Can Make Internet Cheaper and Faster For Everyone
With all the hype around Tesla, it is easy to ignore Space X is an extraordinarily impressive company too. They have taken the void filled by slashed federal funding for US space exploration and are thriving . With the implementation of Starlink, Mr. Musk is providing something much more down to earth than a trip to Mars, but that doesn’t mean its less useful.
Not All Broadband is Created Equal
Fast internet is something many in the developed world take for granted. Unfortunately, broadband speed is hugely variable around the globe. Look at the world rankings , and you will see that the divide between poor and wealthy nations is especially apparent when it comes to Mb/s. Given how much learning is done through the internet its easy to see the negative impact this can have on a society’s development.
Obviously, not everyone in wealthier nations is rich. Fortunately, by cutting transition latency Elon Musk’s plans can ensure lower-income individuals get better access to everything the internet has to offer. Here is Gwynne Shotwell, COO and President of Space X talking about the plan ,
“This approval underscores the FCC’s confidence in SpaceX’s plans to deploy its next-generation satellite constellation and connect people around the world with reliable and affordable broadband service. Starlink production is well underway, and the first group of satellites have already arrived at the launch site for processing.”
Space X is About So Much More Than Getting To Mars
It’s a noble premise for sure. Private space enterprise needs more stories like this to counter the nay-sayers. Many people believe Space X is just Elon Musk’s selfish obsession with getting a man on Mars. These same people would argue there are more pressing matters to attend to on Earth . Starlink proves that there are real-world benefits to innovation in Space.
Musk’s Starlink Is Win-Win For Everyone
As Space X prepares to undergo the uniquely precise yet dramatic process of launching a satellite into space, we can all hope that this project is a success. With the Boring Company and Tesla, Musk and his team’s ability to come up with technological solutions to real-world problems is extraordinary. With Space X and Starlink, it’s interstellar.
