Earlier this year, SpaceX launched the first two of its planned 12,000-satellite constellation.
The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday granted SpaceX a license to operate an array of broadband internet satellites, marking the first time the government agency has given the green light for a U.S.-licensed low-Earth orbit broadband service.
SpaceX co-founder and CEO Elon Musk has been discussing a micro-satellite constellation for providing broadband internet for years. His company applied for a license that would allow it to operate in an unused portion of the broadband spectrum, according to The Verge.
The service will be called Starlink.
Earlier this year, SpaceX launched the first two of its planned 12,000-satellite constellation. It appears that the company is starting out with a 4,425-satellite array, with the FCC requiring it launch at least half of those units within the next six years.
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