Global: Elon Musk to launch 4000 satellites into space to connect the unconnected world

The serial entrepreneur Elon Musk is the next warrior to enter the potential space race to connect world to internet, by planning to launch 4000 satellites into space for the purpose. Elon Musk has officially requested permission from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the launch.

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His company ‘SpaceX’ initially revealed in January 2015 and plans to make it operational in next five years. The idea of Space Internet Technology is limited by the enormous distance the satellites operates from earth, as it slowed down by latency. Musk plans to solve this problem by launching the satellites into a low Earth orbit at around 650km. The low orbit and slower speeds mean 4000 satellites are needed to cover the earth, far more than necessary for higher orbit networking.

Elon Musk plans to target the poorer regions of the world, which is potentially unprofitable target audience. Hence, he may not be able to recover the initial cost of the satellite network.

Another entrepreneur Greg Wyler from Florida, the founder of OneNet who is into similar sector is backed by The Virgin Group and Qualcomm to create a similar satellite network. He owns a significant amount of the licensing to supply satellite internet in various regions, and could become a strong competitor for Musk.