SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk took to Twitter on Monday to support rumors that his company plans to set in motion a fleet of micro - satellite that will provide high-pitched - speedlow price , unrestrictedinternet access . Musk also stated that more detail would be usable in a formal promulgation to come in two or three months .
While SpaceX might be using their Falcon 9 rockets to launch the satellites , the extent of Musk ’s continued participation in the labor is unknown . Musk is believed to have partner with Greg Wyler , founder of WorldVu Satellites and O3b Networks .
SpaceX is still in the former stages of developing forward-looking micro - satellites operating in large formation . Announcement in 2 to 3 months .
— Elon Musk ( @elonmusk)November 11 , 2014
Space Newsreports an unnamed industry insider claims WorldVu has already solicited bidding for contractors to build 640 satellites to make up the configuration , generating a great trade of sake among manufacturing business . In parliamentary procedure to keep Mary Leontyne Price down , some of the components will be made in - sign of the zodiac , in addition to those supplied by the contracted companionship . The satellites are place to be less than $ 1 million each .
Though details are still sparse at this compass point , the labor is expected to ultimate cost $ 1.5 billion that will postulate to be raise in front of time . Acquiring capital for this venture is just one obstacle . WorldVu is alsotaskedwith building factories in Florida or Colorado to make the satellite , and jumping through the regulatory hoop that would allow the satellites to occupy the area they desire .
The devices themselves are slate to librate about125 kilograms ( 250 British pound sterling ) , but will backpack enough technology to equal full - sized orbiter that currently weigh twice as much . Each satellite is anticipated to have a throughput of 14 Gb per second , which should cut back stave time and delays with service .
Until the prescribed promulgation , it is far too former to tell when these satellites will be operational and connecting people with fast , affordable , andunthrottledinternet . SpaceX is currently contract to NASA todevelop their Dragon V2 spacecraftto reelect human space travel to the US , in addition to their ongoing commitment forunmanned resupply missionsto the ISS .
In addition to the WorldVu satellite constellation , other corporations have expressed an interest in provide gamy - ALT solutions for internet access . Google — Wyler ’s former employer — is developingProject Loonthat will use balloons to make a internet , in summation to a constellation of180 planet . Social media giant Facebook is design on usingsolar - powered dronesabout the size of a Boeing 747 . If WorldVu ’s web last up as planned , the connection will beten timeslarger than any other satellite configuration .
[ Hat tip : Engadget ]
