After creating a dent in the world of automobiles and aerospace by giving affordable electric cars and rockets, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Elon Musk is moving towards delivering cheap Internet across the globe. This time, Mr. Musk is collaborating with Greg Wyler, founder of WorldVu Satellites Ltd., which happens to control a huge chunk of radio spectrum. Wyler has been working with Google Inc. but 2 months back he had left the tech giant and currently, he has been working with Elon Musk and SpaceX.
Internet satellite Swarm
Musk and Wyler are looking forward to launch a fleet of nearly 700 satellites, where each satellite weighs not more than 250 pounds. As per the sources, the duo is also considering creating a factory for developing the satellites. The project is estimated to cost around $1 billion, however, it is also to be noted that the idea of satellite swarm is still in its infancy.
Nevertheless, SpaceX is already occupied with its present responsibilities for NASA’s resupply of the International Space Station therefore, starting another venture of satellite swarm seems li’l over ambitious. However, the project might get a kick by the end of current decade but during that time, WorldVu might lose control over the radio spectrum.
On the other hand, Google has already started with its effort of broadening Internet access across the globe with its Project Loon, a network of balloons traveling on the edge of space, designed to connect people in rural and remote areas. Google and Facebook have too finalized their plans for employing drones as atmospheric satellites for worldwide Internet dispersion.
SpaceX to develop fleet of micro-satellites
No doubts, Musk is tied up with his Space X responsibilities, but am sure he would be more than happy to squeeze in time for developing the fleet of micro-satellites, his yesterday’s tweet has already given hint of his interest in the project.
Image: IEEE Spectrum
Source: The Wall Street Journal
