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IPFS News Link • Space Travel and Exploration

SpaceX Just Launched Its First High-Speed Internet Satellites Into Orbit

• motherboard.vice.com by Kaleigh Rogers

Another day, another SpaceX launch. On Thursday morning, after three delays earlier in the week, SpaceX successfully launched its latest Falcon 9 to drop off some low-earth-orbit satellites.

Along with the main payload of an imaging satellite to provide data for the Spanish Ministry of Defense, SpaceX also unloaded two smaller satellites that will test out technology for the company's planned Starlink project: an internet infrastructure made out of thousands of low-earth satellites to bring high-speed internet to the most underserved corners of the planet.

Satellite internet isn't a new concept, but Elon Musk's plans differ from the current options. Right now, satellite internet is provided via large satellites in geostationary orbit very high above the earth. Subscribers get a dish on their house that draws in the signal, allowing them to connect to the internet in remote and rural areas where other options, like fixed wireless or cable internet, aren't available.


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