Elon Musk’s space-exploring brainchild SpaceX has embarked on its new revolutionary project: bringing uninterrupted, world-wide internet access to planet Earth.
On Wednesday, SpaceX filed an application with the FCC, calling on the federal organization to allow the private company to launch 4,425 satellites the size of a small car into space. If approved, SpaceX will launch an initial 800 satellites to cover the United States before launching the remaining satellites to cover the rest of the globe.
SpaceX intends to launch these satellites using their current rocket, Falcon 9, and their upcoming Falcon Heavy rockets which could launch as many as 50 satellites per rocket.
The number of satellites being proposed is made more shocking when considering the fact that currently, there are fewer than 1,500 active satellites currently orbiting our big blue rock. Of course, there are many more useless hunks of metal currently orbiting the earth as well – old satellites that no longer function, or general space debris.
This goal by SpaceX is a significant step forward in the rising importance of internet access worldwide. Though many may consider the internet to be relatively useless thanks to social media and cat GIFS, increasingly access to the internet is being considered a human necessity and right.
If approved and achieved, SpaceX will have pulled off a mammoth accomplishment, pushing humanity one step further forward.
You can read more about Musk’s plans at Popular Mechanics.