Elon Musk Launches Prototypes For A Massive Network Of Satellites In Space

by Tim Pearce

SpaceX, a company built by Elon Musk to colonize other planets, sent two prototype communications satellites into orbit Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The satellites were a part of the company’s 18th consecutive commercial launch. The prototypes were sent to gauge the possibility of creating a network of thousands of satellites capable of providing internet to billions of people.

Musk confirmed the success of the prototypes on Twitter.

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Musk also tested a device to catch the nose cone, or fairing, of the rocket carrying the payload. The device was a large net attached to a boat meant to catch the equipment as it fell back to Earth after detaching itself. The net’s test was less successful.

Musk’s project had the approval of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and FCC Chairman Ajit Pai actively pushed for the project, CNN reports.

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