With the successful launch of the Falcon Heavy rocket this year will be emblematic for the history of space exploration. However, for the Internet industry it will also be a decisive year. Falcon Heavy took to space the first two satellites of its StarLink constellation. This pair of satellites were baptized with the fabulous name of Tintin A and B (the name Tintin is a reference to a comic called The Adventures of Tintin.) These are a series of 24 comic albums by cartoonist Georges Remi, who wrote under the name Herge ).
Everything seems to indicate that Space X will undertake a new chapter in its Mars project, using the land as a testing ground (and funding source of course) for what will be the telecommunications network in its Martian colony.
Misk says he plans to re-build the Internet but now in space. A network that will not use IP addressing for its satellites, but peer-to-peer links. Possibly a trick to avoid the future battle against AI.
On the other hand, OneWeb promises bridging the digital divide in 2027.
Knowing the business history of Musk, we can have high hopes that it will achieve the goal of having an innovative broadband network … maybe in the year 2030. But at the same time, StarLink is very likely to be an expensive network. The “Tesla” of the access services. But it is very unlikely to turn out to be a real solution to bring the Internet to the poorest people on earth. Musk is a great entrepreneur and creator. But the poor people have no place in his Martian city.
