Elon Musk to Launch Super Fast Internet From Space

Elon Musk's Space X is planning to bring super fast Internet to Earth by launching 4,425 satellites into low-Earth orbit.

According to IB Times, his company has already filed an application to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Tuesday requesting the approval to launch a "non-geostationary orbit satellite system in the Fixed-Satellite Service."

"The system is designed to provide a wide range of broadband and communications services for residential, commercial, institutional, government and professional users worldwide," SpaceX said in the FCC filing.

The filing also revealed that the billionaire has a 54 percent share in the space corporation, more than twice his percent stake in his electric car company, Tesla.

CNBC reported that the idea was first put forward in January 2015, with an estimated cost of around $10 billion. Google is reportedly one of the earliest investors who put in $1 billion for the program.

Space X initially plans to send out 800 of these satellites first, to cover the US, while the rest are to follow.

Engadget reported that each satellite will weigh 850 pounds and be the size of a small car. They will orbit at altitudes ranging from 715 miles (1,150 km) to 790 miles (1,275 km). If his plan will be permitted, it would increase the number of satellites in orbit by over 300 per cent of the 1,419 satellites that are currently in space and will provide bandwidth of 1 gigabytes per second across the globe.

However, the Internet will not be accessed for free. Users will be required to install an environmental-friendly and low-cost phased array antenna that can be mounted on roofs or walls.

Many has commended the project of Musk because it will enable users across the globe to have an excellent Internet service. Furthermore, it is cost-efficient because the satellite will be designed to last five to seven years before they decay.

Musk is also planning to send the first manned- spacecraft in Mars on the first half of 2030.