September 8, 2024 SpaceX, Elon Musk’s space exploration company, has launched its 7,000th Starlink satellite, solidifying its dominance in the satellite internet market. With 6,370 active satellites in low-Earth orbit, Starlink now represents over 62% of all operational satellites, dwarfing its closest competitor by a factor of ten. This rapid expansion, averaging three new satellites per day since 2019, has raised both excitement and concerns about the concentration of power in the hands of the world’s richest person.
“Starlink now constitutes roughly 2/3 of all active Earth satellites,” Musk stated on social media platform X following the latest launch. The network currently operates in 102 countries, serving over three million customers with high-speed internet and phone connectivity. SpaceX’s ambitious plans include expanding the constellation to up to 42,000 satellites, potentially revolutionizing global internet access.
However, this dominance has sparked debates about the implications of one individual controlling such a vast network. Musk himself has acknowledged the power this gives him, stating, “Between Tesla, Starlink and Twitter, I may have more real-time global economic data in one head than anyone ever.” The recent controversy in Brazil, where Starlink initially bypassed a ban on X (formerly Twitter) before complying with the blocking order, highlights the complex interplay between Musk’s various technological interests and global politics.
