SpaceX, Elon Musk Pitch Ambitious Plan to Bring Internet to Space; Is it Even Possible?

By Krisana Estaura, | March 18, 2017

Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX. (JD Lasica/CC BY-NC 2.0)

Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX. (JD Lasica/CC BY-NC 2.0)

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is reportedly making strides in his mission to establish high-speed internet connection in space. 

According to The Verge, based on recent documents filed by SpaceX, the company met with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officials twice in recent weeks to seek a license for the launch of 4,425 globe-spanning satellites that would bring terrestrial internet to space and ease regulatory demands of commercial space.

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Musk was absent at both meetings, and SpaceX COO Gwynne Shotwell represented him. One of the meetings had FCC chairman Ajit Pai attending as well as acting wireless advisor Rachel Bender.

The company has kept mum about the issue.

Two years ago, Musk shared the idea of introducing Universal Internet to establish an Internet connection to Mars from Earth. In November 2016, Musk acted on the ambitious plan by filing the petition with the FCC.

According to the petition, SpaceX plans to launch satellites in two sets - around 1600 satellites will be launched at the initial stage while the remaining 2,825 satellites slated for later.

Is the dream possible?

According to Tech Times, SpaceX is not the only company that has the idea of a satellite network transmitting data to individuals in space. Motorola had a similar idea with a project named Irridium.

The project, however, was not pursued due to high investment cost and waning customer interest resulting in a huge loss.

The total cost of the entire project of the Universal Internet is said to be about $6 billion and could even increase as the project progresses.

Tech Times noted that the dream of the Universal Internet seems possible now, thanks to the arrival of 5G technologies in the future.

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