SpaceX Founder Plans Constellation Consisting Of Hundreds Of Satellites

Everyone should have access to the internet ... everyone on the planet. That's the vision of SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who recently revealed some details of his previously-announced plan to the media.

The system would involve hundreds of low-cost satellites in an orbit of about 750 miles above the Earth. For basis of comparison, the ISS orbits at about 268 miles, but most geosynchronous satellites fly at about 22,300 miles.

Musk (pictured)  told Bloomberg News that with the relay satellites closer to the ground, speeds would be much faster. He says that the throughput speeds could rival that of terrestrial fiber optic connections.

The new project would be operated from the company's new Seattle offices, where work is being done on Falcon rockets and the Dragon spacecraft. Musk estimates the price tag of the program to be around $10 billion, but Musk says the program will be a "long-term revenue source" that will allow SpaceX to "fund a city on Mars."

There is as yet no firm timeline for the program, so don't go looking for a place to sign up for the service just yet.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.spacex.com