If you thought your Wi-Fi signal was sometimes weak, get ready for a new era: SpaceX just launched its 10,000th Starlink satellite, promising that you'll have internet even if you're lost in the middle of the desert or the Arctic. But the story gets even juicier!
It is Sunday. SpaceX launched another 56 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit using two Falcon 9 rockets. This will bring the total number of satellites in 2025 to 56. tied the record for the number of launches – and the year isn't even over yet! Apparently, SpaceX said, "Why wait until the new year when we can break the record in October?"
Not every satellite lasts forever – space retirement is a reality
You might think that all 10,000 satellites are now broadcasting memes and series to every corner of the planet. But the reality is a little less glamorous: only 8,608 are still working full timeThe rest? Well, they're already on a well-deserved rest – or rather, they burned up in the atmosphere like space fireworks. Starlink satellites have a lifespan of about five years, after which they fly off to eternal hunting grounds (read: burn up over our heads).
12,000 allowed, 30,000 planned – Elon has no limits!
SpaceX has permission to send as many as 12,000 satellites, but Musk is already dreaming about more than 30,000Of course, he's not the only one with big appetites: Amazon's Project Kuiper, European and Chinese space "bosses" have similar plans. Will orbit soon be as crowded as the Ljubljana bypass on Friday afternoons? Quite possible!
From prototypes to the World Wide Web – the story of space Wi-Fi
The first Starlink prototypes took to the skies in February 2018, and commercial service began in 2021. Today, you can connect to the internet from space almost anywhere – as long as you have the right antenna and a little luck with the weather.
Where is the line? And will we soon need a "satellite umbrella"?
If you're wondering if 10,000 satellites is enough, we've got you covered: SpaceX has big plans! Meanwhile, scientists are already raising eyebrows about the crowds up there. Will space become the new parking lot? Or will we finally get internet that won't be interrupted by even the most stubborn neighbor's microwave?
You tell us: Where do you want flawless Wi-Fi? In the middle of the forest, on a sailboat, or in a mountain cabin? Write in the comments and tell us whether you prefer internet from space or from a basement!
