If the venture turns successful, it will make SpaceX the first operator of an internet satellite network and the sole competitor in this domain with its own rockets.
Elon Musk’s space company, SpaceX, is planning to launch a set of 60 satellites in a single launch this week for the company’s Starlink broadband network.
If the venture is completed successfully, it will make SpaceX the first operator of an internet satellite network and the sole competitor in this domain with its own rockets.
Last year, SpaceX launched a pair of prototype satellites to test the service. The 60 satellites scheduled for launch are part of the 4,000-spacecraft planned for the Starlink network.
These satellites will form a constellation designed to facilitate thousands of the data links beaming internet access around the planet.
Elon Musk, SpaceX, CEO, tweeted an image of the 60 satellites that will be packed into the Falcon 9. “The static fire test is complete, and it is ready for launch on May 15th at 10:30 p.m. ET, given that the weather permits,” he tweeted.
Musk also stated things are ?much will likely go wrong? in the first launch. He further added that it would take a minimum of six more launches like this, totalling up to 420 satellites to even begin ?minor? coverage of the service.
At least 12 more launches will be required to compete commercially with terrestrial broadband.
