Science & Technology

Elon Musk to build global 'space Internet'

By T.K. Randall
January 19, 2015

Image: Elon Musk at the SpaceX CRS-8 post-launch press conference
Credit: Kim Shiflett / (PD) NASA Having worked on everything from spacecraft and solar panels to high-speed rail systems and electric cars, Musk is no stranger to innovative and ambitious technological endeavors.

His latest project, which aims to provide high-speed Internet access to everywhere in the world including places that are unable to receive conventional fibre broadband, will involve launching an army of 4,000 satellites that will orbit 750 miles above the earth.Even more ambitious however is his plan to use the proceeds from this satellite network to help fund the future construction of a base on Mars via his private space company SpaceX.

"We see it as a long-term revenue source for SpaceX to be able to fund a city on Mars," he said.

The space Internet is likely to take at least five years to set up with an estimated cost of over $10 billion and will work by bouncing signals from satellite to satellite.

Source: CNET.com

Tags: SpaceX, Elon Musk