Find out how SpaceX is building upon Elon Musk's vision to bring internet connection to every corner of the globe.
Elon Musk has several companies to his name, including the widely popular electric vehicle brand Tesla and the space exploration company SpaceX. He's also poised to become the next owner of Twitter if a jury in an upcoming lawsuit wills it to be. But another one of the names linked to Musk is Starlink, his brainchild that aims to deliver satellite internet access to 40 countries around the world.
Despite making headlines in recent years, Musk's SpaceX actually began development around January 2015, when the company had filed an application with international regulators to launch 4,000 satellites in low Earth orbit. These satellites would then deliver internet access all over the world.
During a project reveal in Seattle at the time, Musk said that the goal was to "[rebuild] the internet in space," Space.com reported. More traditional internet service delivery methods are through submarine communications cable, which are laid on the sea bed and are connected via land. But Musk sees the future of the internet in the skies, not underwater. Here are 10 more interesting facts about Musk's Starlink.
1. Starlink's goal is to deliver high-speed broadband internet access to areas where there has been unreliable or no service at all.
Starlink's website highlights how the company is "unbounded by traditional ground infrastructure," which means they are capable of delivering high-speed broadband internet to areas that don't have access. One great example of this was when Starlink provided internet access to Ukrainians in the midst of the Russian invasion.
2. Starlink can provide high speed internet exceeding 100Mbps in 15 countries.
Starlink has been improving its internet speeds in the last few years, with an average download speed of around 105Mbps and average upload speed of 12Mbps. CNet reported that this is five to six times better than the average internet speed from satellites such as Viasat and HughesNet, Starlink's main competitors.
3. Starlink internet service is pricier than other options, but offers no service tiers.
Unlike other internet service providers that tend to target different segments at the same time, Starlink only offers a $110 monthly subscription service, which was originally at $99, and a $599 upfront fee (formerly $499) for the hardware. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said in 2021 that they are not interested in offering service tiers.
4. Starlink has a contract with the US Army.
Impressed by Starlink's work in Ukraine, the US Air Force has signed up for a 12-month contract with a $192 million price tag in July to "support tactical missions" in "contested environments," Insider reported.
5. Starlink already has thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit.
As of January 2022, Starlink has up to 1,900 satellites providing high speed internet access to its customers. The company plans to launch thousands more.
6. Starlink's satellites may cause light pollution and disturb the clear skies.
Starlink isn't without its detractors, as the the American Astronomical Society (ASS) released a report in October 2021 that argued how mega constellations such as Starlink's satellites are linked to light pollution.
7. Starlink satellites has become the single main source of collision risk in low Earth orbit.
The Astronautics Research Group at the University of Southampton, led by Hugh Lewis revealed in August 2021 that Starlink's satellites were involved in up to 1,600 collisions between two spacecraft one kilometer away, raising concerns for safety.
8. Starlink offers high speed internet specifically for RVs.
Back in May, Starlink launched a product called Starlink RV that costs $135 per month and offers high speed internet service to those who live on RVs, making it great for nomads and content creators on the road.
9. Starlink has a contract with Royal Caribbean Cruises.
In August, Starlink landed a contract with Royal Caribbean to provide high speed internet access to its fleet of cruise ships, so passengers and crew can go online and share their travels with friends and loved ones.
10. Starlink's name was inspired by a John Green novel.
On February 22, 2018, Musk took to Twitter to share a Starlink tidbit, writing that "the name was inspired by The Fault in Our Stars," the best-selling novel by John Green, IndyStar reported.
