SpaceX Successfully Launches 60 More Satellites Under the Starlink Program: Total Tally Rises to 360

On Wednesday, the American private space agency, SpaceX, launched another 60 satellites under its flagship Starlink program. Later, the company confirmed that the launch went successful. The recent addition of the 60 satellites will increase the Starlink satellite count to 360.

Satellite-Based Broadband Connection in North America is Not Far Away

The recent launch of satellites marks the 6^th mission under the Starlink program. The addition of 60 more satellites is a step closer to provide internet services in the North American region. Previously, the co-founder of the space agency, Elon   Musk, confirmed that the program would start function in the North American region, once the satellite count reaches 400. The company is planning to start its internet-based broadband services in the region from 2020 itself.

SpaceX used its reliable Falcon 9 rocket to place these 60 satellites into the orbit. The launch was carried out from the Kennedy Space Center located in Florida. The rocked that SpaceX used in the recent mission was a reused one. The official twitter handle of the space company confirmed the deployment of all the 60 satellites in orbit.

Initially, Starlink will target the 3 to 4% of the population, where the existing broadband is not accessible. Initially, the project will target those areas where the population density is thinner. Therefore, rural areas and towns will be the ideal target for Starlink. Lack of bandwidth will limit the program to provide internet connection in the densely populated cities. However, once SpaceX has enough satellites, it will start offering internet in the big cities of the United States.

According to various reports, the private space entity is aiming to get a grant of 16 billion USD from the Federal Communications Commission.