This week, SpaceX launched another batch of Starlink telecommunications satellites into orbit, the total number of which in outer space exceeded 7,000. According to the CelesTrak service, almost two-thirds of the active satellites in Earth orbit are under the control of Elon Musk’s company.
Image source: SpaceX
The report said that SpaceX currently has 6,370 active Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit. Several hundred more spacecraft are inactive or have already left orbit. Since the first launch in 2019, the Starlink orbital constellation has been increasing by an average of 3 satellites every day.
Image source: CelesTrak
Thus, SpaceX now controls just over 62% of spacecraft. The closest competitor of Elon Musk’s company, OneWeb, has an orbital constellation consisting of 631 satellites. It is curious that after the termination of cooperation with Roscosmos in 2022, OneWeb uses SpaceX rockets to launch its satellites into space.
Image source: CelesTrak
As for SpaceX’s plans, the company intends to launch 42 thousand satellites into orbit to provide high-speed Internet access in every corner of the Earth. Currently, Starlink provides Internet access in 102 countries, where about 3 million people use the company’s services. To connect to Starlink satellite Internet, a special terminal is required, and the cost of services costs about $300 per month. In the future, the company plans to provide broadband Internet access services in dozens of other countries.