On August 7, SpaceX successfully launched 15 more Starlink satellites into the low earth orbit (LEO). The liftoff happened from the Vandenberg Space Force Base on Monday. SpaceX used a Falcon 9 rocket for the launch. The rocket returned to the ground in about 9.5 minutes from the time of launch. According to SpaceX, this was the fifth launch and landing for this particular booster. All the satellites were deployed a few minutes after liftoff. SpaceX has managed to launch satellites into space in two back-to-back days. Back on Sunday, the company launched a total of 22 satellites from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Read More - Starlink’s Satellite Internet Now Available in Kenya
More than 4500 Starlink satellites are currently functional in the orbit of the planet. SpaceX plans to provide global satellite internet coverage in the coming years. The company's largest challenge is to comply with the regulatory norms of each country. No two countries have the same norms, and that is why it is a time and cost-consuming process for the company.
Read More - Mongolia Grants Licenses to SpaceX for High-Speed Internet Service via Starlink Satellites
SpaceX will provide internet in rural areas as well as urban areas. The company's services can bring internet to areas where fiber can't be laid. However, for developing countries, SpaceX needs to find a way to bring down the CPE (customer premises equipment) cost. Currently, both the CPE and the cost of the plans offered by Starlink is something many in developing nations with low income won't be able to afford.
Starlink also plans to compete with other players, such as OneWeb in India and other South East Asian markets where the potential to scale revenues is huge. OneWeb has already completed its satellite launches and is now preparing for a commercial launch in India and many other countries. It will be interesting to see how the satellite broadband market shapes in India.
