So Elon Musk and SpaceX have expressed a desire to launch a huge network of satellites into space to create a true globally accessible network. It would require a huge amount of satellites, which SpaceX figures to launch about 800 a year. To put that in perspective, there are currently about 1500 satellites in orbit. SpaceX plans would essentially quadruple that number.


Here is a link to the article: https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/spacex-wants-launch-4-425-081807725.html


This would be really cool, but I cant help shake a funny feeling like I've seen this before....


https://youtu.be/YPEbPke7ArQ

Yay. More orbiting garbage!

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Thanks. Now ?I won't be surprised if I find one of those in my yard some day.

How much money will it cost to maintain such a massive network? How much dangerous orbiting debris could this result in? And what orbital planes will these satellites fill?

Our children will ask us what happened to the planet we will tell them elon musk thats what happened him and his frakking satellites!

I see this as a good sign, in that it will give experience in future space endeavors. Especially a large scale operation as this. I'm all for it.

Hopefully by 2020, we can start work on that Dyson Sphere...

Sooo are they going to provide people computers and/or other devices that they can use this new network? Isn't that the idea; to make sure people all over the globe able to be connected? Yeah good luck with that, especially when the warlord down the road decides he wants all of the technology for himself.

Well, it'll cost roughly $10B estimated from start to full deployment (estimated).


After that, maintenance is well...random. Who pays for it? Anybody who uses it. Since it is their network connecting you to the internet, they will probably charge you like your current ISP does now.


Orbital debris? Well much less oer launch than in the past. One of the operational cost saving measures used by (or to be used by) SpaceX is their reusable rockets. Pretty launch, deploy, descend, collect, refuel, repeat. One of the big reasons they might be able to afford such a thing over time.


I'm not sure about the planes. They mentioned it in the article. You could have found out by reading it...


I wouldnt worry too much about orbital paths. There is a reason why it is called space.