SpaceX wants to start beta tests this year

Space company Elon Mask SpaceX not only wants to transport people into space and, later, fly to Mars. But also wants to provide the Earth with the Internet through Starlink. Now there are more than 400 satellites in orbit, and the first tests should begin soon.

The Starlink project is not at all controversial, because many fear that in the long run, it will be space debris, astronomers worry about their unhindered view of the stars. SpaceX just launched another 60 Starlink satellites into space. Which is only about 400 only at the beginning, at some point 12,000 of which are said to be in orbit.

The first beta test is in preparation

However, according to Elon Musk, a number has now been reached allowing the first beta testing of this solution. Accordingly, the private beta will begin in about three months, and the public testing phase should begin in about six months.

Currently, 400 satellites are, of course, not a global network. So you won’t be able to participate in this test program everywhere. Elon Musk said the beta would be possible in the northern latitudes. A Twitter user asked the boss Tesla and SpaceX if Germany was tall enough, and Musk answered yes. This means that a significant portion of Europe and North America can take part in the Starlink test – at least in theory.

Starlink’s plan is to provide low-cost internet. Especially in regions where there is currently poor connectivity if any. If this works, as expected, 12,000 mini-satellites could also be the start. Because in the long run, SpaceX wants to send 42,000 units into space, as evidenced by applications that the company has already submitted.

SpaceX is launching 60 new Internet satellites into Earth orbit

Space company SpaceX has announced the successful launch of another batch of Starlink satellites. The project will build a global Internet infrastructure, which is not without criticism.

The previous satellite Internet suffered from the fact that the data connection operated through geostationary communication satellites flying in very high orbits. This leads to high latency. On the other hand, Starlink is said to be operating at low altitude. Then, a single satellite is only visible to the receiver for a short time. So that many missiles have to orbit around the earth between which the connections are always passed on.

The current plan is 12,000 to 42,000 small satellites, these satellites will form a relatively dense group around the world, thereby providing broadband services anytime, anywhere. SpaceX has now used the launcher to launch the next 60 units into space, bringing the total to 422. This year starts a month, you must speed up to make this project a reality.

Much more starts needed

The plan envisages at least this kind of network merger this year so that Internet connections can be provided to North America via Starlink. If other tracks are developed, then the rest of the year will cover the rest of the world. Exactly how many satellites you need will depend on how many users want to use the infrastructure.