SpaceX Offered Details On Its Future Internet Satellites

Right now, Elon Musk and his Vice-President for Satellite Government Affairs, Patricia Cooper, are looking for the Senate’s approval of this new satellite plan. The government regulates satellite launches since space junk and traffic have to be managed. Colliding satellites from uncooperative companies do not just endanger themselves, but the Earth-bound life below as well.If approved, the company could launch a test satellite in 2018. This would then be followed another prototype, and then by production models in 2019. SpaceX hopes to have all of its internet satellites, exactly 4,425 of them, in place by 2024. That is a lot of rockets, but multiple devices can be deployed with each launch, as these are designed to be very compact. SpaceX plans to do this by itself with help from its Falcon 9 vehicle.

These internet satellites will go into a low-Earth orbit, between 1,110 and 1,325 kilometers above the planet. They will use the Ka- and Ku- band frequencies. The company hopes to provide wireless internet at high speeds, even in extremely remote areas.

Right now there are estimated to be 1,459 satellites in orbit around our planet. This Internet satellites network would massively increase that number. And this is without taking into consideration any other potential ventures.

While such a network will increase the need to track space junk to ensure stability, it would eliminate another issue. The necessity to place and remove ground cables would be virtually eliminated. With that, and the possibility of service in the mountains or even at sea, SpaceX is likely to see its plan move forward.