Returning from the successful launch of the sixth batch of its Starlink satellites, Elon Musk’s leading space technology company, Space X, has now received FCC (Federal Communications Commission) approval to deploy upto a million ground antennas for the Starlink Satellite Constellation project. The project is the company’s visionary approach towards providing high-speed internet from space.
According to federal documents filed by the company, the FCC has given SpaceX approval release for about a million antennas that are designed to work with the Starlink satellites. The antennas are designed to connect users to SpaceX’s network of satellites. Measuring at about 19 inches across, the antennas look like small UFOs and are very easy to install and use.
SpaceX’s first batch of Starlink satellites were deployed in May 2019. Since then, the company has been regularly carrying out launches for new batches of satellites. Currently, there around 360 Starlink units operating in Low-Earth Orbit. The launch for the next batch of satellites is scheduled to take place next month. Originally, SpaceX planned to deploy a total of 12,000 satellites for its Starlink project. However, documents filed by the company last year revealed that SpaceX was planning to launch an additional 30,000 satellites. Once completed, the entire project could consist of about 42,000 satellites.
The massive satellite constellation, according to company experts, will enable telecommunication companies to provide internet services to customers residing in remote and hard-to-reach regions in different parts of the globe. With performance that far surpasses that of traditional satellite internet, and a global network unbounded by ground infrastructure limitations, Starlink will deliver high-speed broadband internet to locations where access has been unreliable, expensive, or completely unavailable.
