Elon Musk proudly announced that Starlink now represents approximately two-thirds of all active satellites orbiting Earth.
This week, SpaceX launched its 7,000th Starlink satellite.
Since its first launch in 2019, the Starlink network has expanded at an astonishing rate.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has achieved a remarkable feat in space exploration and communications. This week, SpaceX launched its 7,000th Starlink satellite, solidifying its position as the leader in satellite technology. According to Musk, Starlink now represents approximately two-thirds of all active satellites orbiting Earth.
Since its first launch in 2019, the Starlink network has expanded at an astonishing rate, with SpaceX adding about three new satellites to the constellation every day. Recent figures from CelesTrak, a non-profit satellite tracker, show that SpaceX manages 6,370 active Starlink satellites in low-Earth orbit. This impressive number accounts for over 62% of all operational satellites worldwide, a huge leap from just three years ago. In comparison, Starlink’s closest rival, the UK-based startup OneWeb, operates around one-tenth as many satellites.
Also read: NASA selects Elon Musk’s SpaceX to provide launch services for JPSS-4 mission: All details here
Starlink now constitutes roughly 2/3 of all active Earth satellites https://t.co/Au2eHrvItq
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 5, 2024
SpaceX’s ambitious plans include launching up to 42,000 satellites to provide high-speed internet and phone connectivity across the globe. Currently, Starlink is operational in 102 countries, serving over three million customers with its $300 ground-based dish. While the service continues to grow, it faces restrictions in certain countries like Afghanistan, China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Syria, due to internet bans or trade embargoes.
Despite these restrictions, the impact of Starlink has been significant. For example, activists in Iran managed to import Starlink receivers illegally, demonstrating the network’s far-reaching influence.
Also read: Boeing Starliner returning uncrewed, NASA turns to SpaceX to bring astronauts home in Feb
Musk proudly announced on X (formerly Twitter) that Starlink now makes up roughly two-thirds of all active satellites in orbit.
However, SpaceX’s dominance in space has raised concerns about the concentration of power. Musk has acknowledged the vast amount of real-time global economic data his ventures, including Tesla, Starlink, and X, provide him. This level of control has sparked discussions about the implications of such significant influence in both space and digital communication.
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Ayushi Jain
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