SPACEX PLANS FOR GLOBAL BROADBAND

Starlink Constellation of Internet Satellites

Source:  NASA

Launchdate - Tomorrow April 22

SpaceX plans to launch its seventh group of

Starlink Satellites on April 22, 2020.

The batch of 60 new satellites will join

thousands already in orbit.  Starlink is entrepreneur

Elon Musk's system to deliver broadband internet 

connectivity to the world and provide faster and

stronger communications services.

New FCC Request From Musk for Starlink

Musk has just sought US Federal Communications

Commission approval to operate all of his

4,400 first generation Starlink sats at a lower 

level than previously approved.  The request is

for approved orbits at 550 kilometers for some 

of the launched satellites. Most of his sats had 

been okayed for about 1200 kilometers orbit

above the Earth.  One reason cited by

SpaceX for this request is that it will result in 

less space debris. Because at a lower altitude,

expended satellites would be pulled to Earth by

gravity over 25 years.  That's an interesting 

prospect for the FCC to consider.  In all, Musk plans

to launch 12,000 satellites to build his

global broadband network.

Starlink Images

NASA just released the image (above) of Starlink

internet satellites and their faint light

trails orbiting over the Earth's

lime-green auroras.  The tiny satellites' trails

were shot by an astronaut aboard the International

Space Station (ISS).  The ISS was cruising over

the southern Indian Ocean at an altitude of

231 nautical miles.  This image shows that even

at immense distances, we are all so visible and

together in the Universe. 

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