SpaceX launched 60 mini-satellites earlier in the week. This is the second batch of orbiting satellites that will provide global internet coverage. SpaceX flagship rocket, Falcon 9, was used to deliver these compact flat-panel satellites. Each of these satellites weighs 575 pounds (260 kilograms). This is the fourth flight by the Falcon 9.
Elon Musk wants to provide cheap internet:
SpaceX founder and chief executive Elon Musk are planning to offer high-speed internet service everywhere. They will be launching thousands of such Starlink satellites in orbit for it. Musk initially plan is to launch his service next year in the northern US and Canada. According to him, his service will cover the entire globe after 24 such launches. Last month, Musk used one of his orbiting Starlink satellites to tweet: “Whoa, it worked!!”
Successful launch of the batch:
Falcon 9 is a reusable rocket, and the company’s employees erupted in celebration when the first-stage booster landed on the company floating platform in Atlantic. As SpaceX is a startup, it focuses a lot on cost reduction, and this was the first time they used previously flown nose cone.
Although this wasn’t a perfect liftoff, there were some issues relating to one of the satellites moving beyond 280 Km high orbit. But it was reprogrammed to re-enter and reached the intended orbit. Such a similar situation happened in September. Although Starlink satellite is programmed to dodge space junk. But according to the European space agency, one of the satellites was close to one of its satellites.
SpaceX is amongst many in this race:
SpaceX is one of the few companies that are aiming for global broadband internet coverage. This is specifically targeted to areas where the internet is either costly or unreliable. Other similar companies are OneWeb and Amazon. According to Musk, this will pay for SpaceX’s mission to settle in mars and beyond.
