SpaceX Wants to Start Launching Its Next Generation Starlink Satellites Before the End of the Year

SpaceX wants to launch its next-generation satellites to build a global internet network that will be faster, more reliable and less expensive than anything currently available by the end of the year. The space exploration company recently received the necessary regulatory approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to begin launching its second generation of its Starlink satellites, a key component of its global internet network.

SpaceX is looking to launch its upgraded model of Starlink satellite over the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean before the end of 2021. The satellites are designed to provide worldwide broadband services to people in remote areas, often in places where there is no traditional high-speed internet access.

SpaceX has already sent up more than 1,000 of its first generation Starlink satellites, and plans to eventually put up up to 12,000 satellites. The company’s second generation of spacecraft is designed to greatly expand the services that can be provided by the network of satellites, offering download speeds of up to a gigabit per second, which is faster than almost any current home Internet service.

The next generation of Starlink satellites will have a number of design improvements, including more antennas, improved solar panels and better shielding to help reduce radio interference with other satellites. In addition, the Starlink system will include an anti-jamming capability to help it handle the increased satellite traffic in low-Earth orbit.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk believes that the upgraded system could eventually handle up to a third of the world’s internet traffic. The company plans to make its Starlink network available to a limited number of customers in the northern U.S. and Canada, initially. As it doubles the number of satellite launches planned for this year, SpaceX is hoping to expand its service to other parts of the world within the next two years.

The SpaceX Starlink network could revolutionize how the world’s remote and underserved areas receive internet service. With its faster speeds and improved capabilities, it could be an important part of the future of global connectivity. If the plan is successful, it could be a game changer for millions of people who currently have limited access to the internet.