SpaceX has successfully launched 60 internet beaming Starlink satellites into space, this is considered by many as a giant leap towards making global internet coverage into a reality. They were carried out by Falcon 9 rockets.
The fifth Falcon 9 went off on Thursday by 10:30 p.m. from the Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The launch first saw a day delay as winds were too strong and then a week long delay so the space agency could give a software upgrade to the satellites that are onboard the Falcon 9.
There were 60 internet beaming Starlink satellites placed in the nose of the rocket, which is also the first back of the Starlink mega-constellation of SpaceX.
The company is looking to provide affordable internet coverage to the world by using the satellites.
After the successful launch, the rocket of the Falcon 9 came back to Earth, which is also the space agency’s 40th booster recovery.
The booster that was used in this mission was used twice before, the Falcon 9 used in this mission is the second time the company has used it more than twice.
According to reports, it will cost the company $10 Billion dollars to make their vision come into reality.
When Elon Musk was asked about the funding of Starlink, Elon said that SpaceX has enough capital to make this project come true, and added that the latest mission has attracted “more interest than we were actually seeking”.
Last month, the company raised around $400 million USD for the project.
If the space agency confirms that all of its internet beaming Starlink satellites have been launched successfully and that they have made contact with each other, this specific launch will be the biggest successful project for any company on planet earth that has attempted such project.
If the mission is successful, the company is set to beat their competitors, which includes Amazon and OneWeb, companies that are also eyeing to have their own internet constellations.
According to Elon Musk, the company will have to launch six more missions before they can start to provide consistent internet coverage in a small portion on earth.
Elon added that SpaceX will have to launch 12 more missions that will be carrying internet beaming Starlink satellites so they could provide stable internet for a big portion on the earth.