SpaceX has announced that its Starlink internet service, which beams internet directly from space, has reached 4 million users around the globe.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the company noted, “Starlink is connecting more than 4 million people with high-speed internet across over 100 countries and territories.”
Under Elon Musk’s leadership, this ambitious internet initiative is experiencing rapid growth, having gained 1 million new users just in the last four months. The service started onboarding users in October 2020 and reached its first million subscribers by December 2022.
Starlink has evolved significantly since SpaceX launched its first 60 satellites into low-Earth orbit back in 2019. The satellite network now boasts approximately 6,300 satellites and continues to expand its service to offer faster, more dependable, and broader coverage.
In addition to catering to residential customers, Starlink is attracting a growing number of business clients, including airlines and cruise companies. Just recently, Air France announced plans to begin implementing Starlink’s high-speed internet service on its aircraft starting next summer. This initiative aims to provide ultra-fast internet connectivity to passengers throughout their flights.
As Air France stated, “Passengers will be able to easily stay connected with friends and family, keep up with live news, play online games, and enjoy streaming movies and series.” This service will be accessible via smartphones, tablets, and laptops, with each passenger able to connect multiple devices at once.
However, the Starlink project has not been without its challenges. Astronomers have voiced concerns regarding the satellite constellations, as the bright trails left behind by the satellites hinder their observations of the cosmos. Moreover, electromagnetic interference from the newer satellites has caused disruptions to ground-based radio telescopes, affecting the work of scientists in the field, as reported by the BBC.
