Starlink surpasses four million customers globally

GraphicOnline Technology Sep - 29 - 2024 , 16:46

SpaceX's satellite network, Starlink, has officially exceeded four million customers worldwide, the company announced on social media platform X.

The milestone comes just over five months after Starlink reached three million subscribers, underscoring the rapid expansion of its satellite internet service.

Currently, Starlink is available in 100 countries, covering all seven continents, including remote and underserved areas.

The announcement validates a recent prediction by SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell, who indicated during a Texas State Budget Committee meeting on September 24, 2024, that the company was close to reaching this milestone.

Starlink's rapid growth has been driven by widespread demand from individuals, businesses, and organizations across more than 100 countries and territories.

Starlink, a key part of Elon Musk's SpaceX venture, was initially designed to provide high-speed internet to remote areas with limited connectivity.

Since its first operational satellite launch in May 2019, SpaceX has consistently added more satellites to its low Earth orbit network, with over 6,500 currently in operation.

The total number is expected to rise dramatically, with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approving plans for up to 34,000 satellites.

However, despite its global success, Starlink’s expansion has raised concerns within the scientific community.

Astronomers warn that the increasing number of satellites is obstructing their view of the night sky. Reflections from the satellites are affecting astronomical observations, with some scientists cautioning that the situation may worsen as SpaceX plans to deploy even brighter, next-generation Starlink satellites.

According to researchers at the International Astronomical Union (IAU), these new satellites could also lead to up to 32 times more electromagnetic leakage, further disrupting scientific research.

Despite these challenges, Starlink's continued growth reflects the high demand for its internet services in hard-to-reach regions.