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Musk launches Starlink, 60 satellites to improve the world’s internet

Elon Musk hopes to bring high-speed internet to developing countries with the SpaceX Starlink initiative.

SpaceX is lofting a pioneering phalanx of internet satellites into the Earth’s low orbit, with the intention of bringing high-speed internet access to areas of the planet where broadband is rare, spotty, or entirely non-existent.

The initial launch is carrying the first 60 satellites ‘flat packed’ into a Falcon 9 rocket ahead of take off this evening (May 15th), sparking an initiative that will (hopefully) end with the aligning of nearly 11,000 Starlink Satellites between now and mid-2020.

Musk has warned that ‘much will likely go wrong’ on this first deployment, and that it may take them up to ‘six similar launches’ to achieve even ‘minor’ broadband coverage in sparse areas. But they won’t know how feasible their end goal is until after tonight.

Building satellite constellations thousands strong is seen by several major companies and investors as the next major phase of connectivity – though it will take literally billions of dollars to achieve, and that be the major hitch.

We reckon Musk is okay on that front, but he will have to act quick as competitors begin vying for the credit of establishing the first global network.

OneWeb reportedly just secured $1.25 billion in funding after launching six (of a planned 650) satellites in March, while Jeff Bezos has also joined the fray with his own proposed 3000+ Satellite mission, dubbed Project Kupier.

SpaceX hasn’t explained exactly how their 60 satellites will be distributed to their respective orbits, but Musk has stated that the hardware is ‘stuffed in there like kernels on a corncob’ retained by springs to deploy them at pre-determined velocities.

As always, you’ll be able to watch the live launch on the SpaceX website. Musk ensures these streams are rarely dull, so tune in for what could be a landmark moment tonight.

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