The SpaceX of Elon Musk, a high-tech entrepreneur, launched its first Falcon 9 rocket from Florida on Thursday. Also, it aims to bring the first batch of five dozen satellites into low-Earth orbit for Elon’s brand-new Starlink internet service.
And the rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It symbolizes a milestone in a global enterprise intended at generating cash for the higher ambition of Musk in Space.
After brushing off the two back-to-back countdowns for the mission, the launch happened a week later. In addition to that, the delay was due to high winds over the Cape. And the following night to update the satellite software and check all systems three times.
An hour after the Thursday launch, the Falcon 9 will discharge its cargo with 60 satellites into the orbit. Furthermore, each weighs 500 pounds or 227 kg. And it is now the heftiest payload for any SpaceX rocket to date.
They created these satellites to form the initial phase. It’s a planned constellation which radiates signals for high-speed internet service from space to its consumers around the world.
For Musk, the new Starlink venture is a significant revenue stream for SpaceX, a California-based Space Exploration Technologies. Moreover, he even expects an initial service income of about $3 billion per year.
Besides, Musk thinks that Starlink is vital in supporting larger goals of cultivating a new spacecraft to fly consumers to the moon and for eventually trying to conquer Mars.
The billionaire entrepreneur stated, “This is a key stepping stone on the way towards establishing a self-sustaining city on Mars and a base on the moon.”
However, it will take at least 12 launches with the same payloads to carry out internet coverage for most of the world. And as of now, Starlink is only available for operations in the United States.
SpaceX’s Competition
Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s SpaceX has its solid competitors. Last February, Airbus SE-backed OneWeb to launch its satellites. The technological improvements were due to advanced laser technologies and computer chips.
In Musk’s plan, SpaceX will start contacting first-hand customers by this year or the next. Then, they intend to launch around 2,000 satellites yearly and put up to 12,000 into orbit.
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