The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has authorized part of SpaceX ’s diligence to make and set up more than 7,500 planet , according to a press release . These would make up part of a purport configuration of almost 12,000 satellites plan to improve net connectivity .
Satellite communicating presently rely on satellite in geostationary orbit , 36,000 kilometers ( 22,369 nautical mile ) above the ground , that uphold a fixed billet relative to Earth . But SpaceX ’s 12,000 satellites would meliorate connectivity using non - geostationary ( NGSO ) satellite , which orb nigher and move relative to the Earth ’s surface .
The app incorporate the details of SpaceX ’s Starlink program , herald in 2015 . The 7,518 satellites approved by the FCC will orbit between 335 and 346 kilometer ( 208 and 215 mi ) up , and another 4,425 satellite would revolve between 1,110 and 1,325 kilometre ( 683.5 and 823.3 miles ) above the Earth ’s surface . The International Space Station orb at 409 kilometers ( 254 statute mile ) , for comparison . SpaceX hopes the system will increase cyberspace coverage in rural and remote areas .
The idea is that these smaller , aggregate - produced satellite will be trashy , and in revolve closer to the Earth ’s open , could provide dependable broadband net coverage than few and more expensive satellite in geostationary orbit .
These 12,000 satellite would join two prototype artificial satellite launch by SpaceXearlier this year . The FCC to boot allot authorization to fellowship Kepler , Telesat , and Leosat to launch 140 , 117 , and 78 orbiter , severally , as part of their own NGSO constellation programme . The federal agency previously authorized SpaceX ’s 4,425other satellite , as well .
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk really wants to launch these satellites , and shortly : Just last month , he elicit a number of managers over what he deemed as too - slow progress on the project , Reuters reported . Musk hop to launch some of the planet in 2019 .
At the same time , the FCC foretell that it will review its orbital debris extenuation rule , hoping to “ contain improvement in debris mitigation practices into the Commission ’s rules . ” It ’s unclear what those rules are , or if the recently approved satellites will have to keep up these rules . There are already more than 500,000 pieces of space junk orbiting the Earth , traveling at speeds of up to 17,500 miles per minute , around 10 times the mediocre speed of a bullet .
Anyway , it looks like space internet is really pass off , so long as SpaceX can get all of the satellite up and running , and the company ’s puzzle rivalry . Let ’s do this , I guess .
Elon MusksatellitesScienceSPACEX
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