SpaceX Gets FCC Approval to Launch 7,000 New Internet Satellites

[JacksinPA]

https://www.popularmechanics.com/te...roval-to-launch-7000-new-internet-satellites/

One step closer to creating a satellite "constellation" orbiting Earth.


Elon Musk's SpaceX is winning the race for satellite supremacy. On Thursday, the aerospace company won approval from the Federal Communications Commission to launch 7,000 new internet satellites into low-Earth orbit, markedly increasing the number of satellites currently deployed.

The Commission voted in favor of Musk's juggernaut, which has long held ambitions to expand global broadband internet access by way of a satellite constellation called Starlink, which the company hopes will include 12,000 satellites by the mid-2020s.
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Elon Musk's aerospace company along with several potential competitors are also creating the problem of over crowding low-Earth orbital space with a considerable amount of 'space junk': satellites as well as spent last stages of launch vehicles.

 

[Skeptic Bob]

https://www.popularmechanics.com/te...roval-to-launch-7000-new-internet-satellites/

One step closer to creating a satellite "constellation" orbiting Earth.


Elon Musk's SpaceX is winning the race for satellite supremacy. On Thursday, the aerospace company won approval from the Federal Communications Commission to launch 7,000 new internet satellites into low-Earth orbit, markedly increasing the number of satellites currently deployed.

The Commission voted in favor of Musk's juggernaut, which has long held ambitions to expand global broadband internet access by way of a satellite constellation called Starlink, which the company hopes will include 12,000 satellites by the mid-2020s.
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Elon Musk's aerospace company along with several potential competitors are also creating the problem of over crowding low-Earth orbital space with a considerable amount of 'space junk': satellites as well as spent last stages of launch vehicles.

True, but SpaceX is also at the forefront of the quest to clean that debris up and developing methods to do so. Which makes sense since that debris poses a risk to SpaceX orbital platforms.

https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-p...debris-cleanup-about-get-under-way-180968631/

 

[JacksinPA]

True, but SpaceX is also at the forefront of the quest to clean that debris up and developing methods to do so. Which makes sense since that debris poses a risk to SpaceX orbital platforms.

https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-p...debris-cleanup-about-get-under-way-180968631/

Good point. I think our spy satellites also use low-Earth orbit. The U.S. Air Force uses radar & powerful telescopes to keep track of the space junk.

 

[Skeptic Bob]

Good point. I think our spy satellites also use low-Earth orbit. The U.S. Air Force uses radar & powerful telescopes to keep track of the space junk.

I wonder how valuable that space junk is in precious metals and “secondhand” parts.

 

[Tim the plumber]

Big lasers which can blast the junk untill it is dust and either blown away by the solar wind or trapped by the atmosphere.

 

[JacksinPA]

Big lasers which can blast the junk untill it is dust and either blown away by the solar wind or trapped by the atmosphere.

I would be surprised if we didn't already have such lasers, developed as anti-satellite weapons.

 

[Tim the plumber]

I would be surprised if we didn't already have such lasers, developed as anti-satellite weapons.

Yes, just acknowledge it and use them.