SpaceX's Starlink internet satellite system will soon be able to beam high-speed broadband to users anywhere on the planet, including the polar regions.
The company on Sunday sent another 46 Starlink satellites into space, and this time, they'll eventually orbit over the coldest and most remote areas of Earth.
Following the launch, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted: “These polar launches will enable complete coverage of Earth (where approved by local government).” The company is slated to launch at least two other Starlink satellite batches, dubbed Group 3, for the polar regions later this summer.
The new satellites will help SpaceX provide coverage to Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, and the Nordic countries, where Starlink is aiming to become available to local consumers in Q1 2023. The Starlink dishes themselves have been designed to withstand temperatures as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition, the polar coverage will allow Starlink to serve scientific teams in the Arctic regions and naval ships in the area. Last week, the company launched Starlink Maritime, which is targeting cruise vessels and commercial ships.
Sunday marked SpaceX’s 51st launch of a Starlink mission. The company currently has over 2,400 Starlink satellites in active operation, according to astronomer Jonathan McDowell, who has been tracking SpaceX satellite activity.
SpaceX’s goal is to have 4,200 Starlink satellites in orbit a year from now. It's also seeking permission from the FCC to one day launch tens of thousands of satellites to help improve Starlink speeds and coverage in an effort to provide affordable high-speed broadband to users in rural and remote areas. But some companies, including Amazon, have reservations about the plan.