SUCCESS!
Fresh on the heels of its successful launch of two NASA astronauts from Cape Canaveral, Space X plans to launch 60 satellites into orbit using a Falcon 9 rocket: Wednesday, June 3 at 9:25 PM EDT. Watch here!
This being Florida’s rainy season, a backup date is planned just in case, Thursday, June 4 at 9:03 PM EDT.
We at CFACT look forward to these kind of rocket launches becoming more and more common as lifting heavy payloads into orbit at last becomes affordable. Thanks free market!
The satellites are part of a planned Starlink network of satellites that are already girdling the globe at low Earth orbit. The plan is to make internet access globally available at a reasonable cost, including far flung areas. Service may begin in Canada and the northern U.S. this year.
Access to digital information is having a tremendous impact in moving developing nations forward. The ability to access an uncensored internet worldwide will be a welcome boost for free people and those yearning to be free.
What do you think of that China, Iran, North Korea? Will they be able to block access?
Some of the crew here at CFACT are involved in long distance ocean sailing. They view any future Starlink internet coverage over the oceans and remote islands as a big step forward for safety at sea. Reliable offshore communications would be a big plus, but the ability to access offshore weather forecasts would be a lifesaver.
Astronomers have expressed concerns that the satellites could interfere with their viewing. SpaceX plans to add sun shades to Starlink satellites to mitigate their impact.
Fingers crossed for another successful launch and this big step forward for America in space helping to connect the world.
Elon Musk is on a roll!