Bringing internet connectivity to more people on the planet is of the utmost importance right now. Several companies are looking to make this happen, albeit their methods differ greatly. SpaceX, the company owned by Elon Musk, feels space is the next frontier of broadband internet. It is a very ambitious project, to say the least, although it is not as unfeasible as it may sound.
Up until a few days ago, very few people were privy to information pertaining to SpaceX’s new project. The company has had several meetings with the FCC over the past few months, with discussions taking place behind closed doors every time. It turns out SpaceX is looking to roll out a new and ambitious project that will bring the Internet space. It may sound ludicrous at first, but Elon Musk’s company has a clear plan of action to make this dream become a reality.
To be more specific, commercial space launches are hindered by very strict regulatory demands. SpaceX hopes to convince the FCC to ease off in this regard. Doing so would achieve the company’s other goal, as they aim to create a globe-spanning satellite network that brings the internet to space. Doing so would require a specific license, which is not easy to obtain by any means.
It is not the first time the name Elon Musk pops up in discussions related to space internet. Considering how SpaceX wants to colonize Mars in the future, it is not difficult to see why bringing the internet to space is a top priority as well. Such a satellite network provides a direct line of communication to Mars, as well as provide connectivity to base stations around Earth itself. It would require 4,425 satellites to achieve a network powerful enough to allow internet access in the vast emptiness of space.
Innovations in the technology sector allow for entrepreneurs to think up crazy ideas. With 5G connectivity just around the corner, it becomes significantly easier to offer high-speed internet to remote areas. Rather than just looking at the remote areas on Earth, SpaceX is looking beyond our own planet. However, Elon Musk’s company is not the only one in the race to build such a satellite network, as Boeing and OneWeb have similar plans.
While the concept sounds exciting, the risks are quite substantial. Not only is such a satellite network incredibly expensive, the costs will grow as these projects scale up. Moreover, without regulatory support, it is doubtful any of these three companies will succeed in their plans. Efforts like these can easily bankrupt any of the companies looking to bring internet connectivity to space.
Critics would like to point out SpaceX might be in a better position than its competitors to make this project happen, though. Elon Musk has close ties to the Trump administration, and a company representative meeting with the FCC Chairman directly raises a lot of questions. Only time will tell if having friends in high places will benefit the plans to build this enormous satellite network.
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