Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network has surged to unprecedented heights, now accounting for nearly two-thirds of all active satellites orbiting Earth.
This week, the 7,000th Starlink satellite was launched, propelling SpaceX’s satellite constellation to new dominance. In just four years since its first launch in 2019, Starlink has become the most formidable player in the space-based internet industry.
According to the latest data from CelesTrak, a non-profit satellite tracker, SpaceX currently operates 6,370 active Starlink satellites in low-Earth orbit, with several hundred more either inactive or deorbited. This figure accounts for over 62 percent of all operational satellites orbiting the Earth, positioning Starlink as the undisputed leader in satellite constellations.
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The sheer volume of satellites in SpaceX’s fleet is approximately 10 times greater than its closest competitor, OneWeb, a UK-based startup that operates as a subsidiary of French satellite giant Eutelsat.
With over 6,370 active satellites in low-Earth orbit, SpaceX has rapidly expanded its presence, launching an average of three satellites per day. While Musk’s ambitious goal is to bring high-speed internet to every corner of the globe, it is in rural and underserved areas where Starlink has had the most profound impact. These are regions where traditional Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have struggled, often due to prohibitive costs or infrastructure challenges. By bypassing terrestrial networks, Starlink provides an alternative in areas where internet connectivity had previously been a luxury—or was altogether non-existent.
These satellites have become a lifeline, providing internet service to remotest communities worldwide. Musk’s vision for Starlink is encapsulated in this pursuit—delivering reliable, fast internet to those who have long been left behind in the digital divide.
Starlink currently operates in 102 countries, with more than three million users already benefiting from the service. The cost for access requires a $300 ground-based dish and a monthly subscription fee, but for many in hard-to-reach locations, this cost is justified by the consistent internet speeds and reliable connection Starlink provides.
Local ISPs, especially in sparsely populated rural areas, have often lacked the incentives or resources to lay fiber or build cell towers. Starlink’s innovative technology sidesteps these logistical hurdles by beaming the internet directly from space, completely revolutionizing how remote communities access the digital world.
The project is still in its relative infancy, with SpaceX planning to launch up to 42,000 satellites to complete the Starlink constellation. This will further boost coverage and performance, ensuring that even the most isolated villages or homes on the fringes of civilization can access the same high-speed internet as those in metropolitan hubs.
Musk’s push for satellite internet is already yielding benefits in countries struggling with connectivity. Communities in rural parts of North America, parts of Africa, and remote islands are now using Starlink where once only patchy or non-existent internet existed.
From enabling children in isolated towns to access online education to providing local businesses with new opportunities, Starlink is bringing more than just the internet—it’s offering economic growth and social connectivity.
Following SpaceX’s latest launch, which saw 21 additional Starlink satellites sent into orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, Musk tweeted, “Starlink now constitutes roughly 2/3 of all active Earth satellites.”
However, Musk’s rapidly growing control over global communications has sparked concerns about the level of power concentrated in his hands. With the combined influence of Tesla, X (formerly Twitter), and Starlink, Musk has unrivaled real-time access to global economic and technological trends.
“Between Tesla, Starlink, and Twitter, I may have more real-time global economic data in one head than anyone ever,” Musk remarked in April 2023.
When Brazilian judiciary announced a ban on X, Musk’s Starlink initially made the platform available to its users in Brazil, bypassing the ban. Although the company later complied with the order, it raised questions about Musk’s ability to leverage his technological assets in response to national legislation, exemplifying his enormous influence.
However, many believe that the benefits of Musk’s tech companies, such as Starlink, far outweigh the concerns. For instance, as the satellite network continues to grow, millions more are expected to come online, especially in areas that have long awaited the kind of connectivity Starlink promises.
The prospect of universal high-speed internet—once a dream for many—has never been closer to reality. With Starlink, even the most remote corners of the planet may soon have the opportunity to plug into the global digital economy, overcoming the failings of traditional ISPs in ways never before possible.