Elon Musk’s SpaceX moves closer to approval for Starlink satellites to fly at lower orbit

  • SpaceX has asked to fly 2,824 Starlink satellites at a lower orbit, an altitude of roughly 540 to 570 kilometres
  • A lower orbit allows quicker satellite internet service because the signal does not travel as far

A render of a SpaceX Starlink satellite in orbit. SpaceX has asked to fly 2,824 Starlink satellites at a lower orbit than initially planned. Photo: Handout
Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) moved closer to winning permission to fly its satellites at a lower orbit than initially planned, after the leader of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) endorsed the proposal.

Acting FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel asked colleagues to vote for the plan.

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