SpaceX launches first 60 Starlink satellites
Elon Musk's SpaceX successfully launched 60 Starlink satellites into space via its Falcon 9 rocket. The satellites were launched after delays due to high winds and a software upgrade.
The mission is first of many in the attempt to provide affordable global internet coverage. SpaceX plans to launch some 12,000 Starlink satellites in low orbit so that they could offer worldwide internet coverage. Earlier, Musk said he needed about 800 satellites to provide moderate coverage.
According to SpaceX agreement with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Musk's space company must launch half of the planned satellites within the next six years. The first batch is basically a test version as it lacks some of the features the final satellite constellation Starlink will require. The 60 satellites will also be used to test how to safely send Starlink satellites into orbit.