SpaceX launched its first all-civilian spaceflight last week, the Inspiration4 mission commenced an era of commercial space tourism. The Inspiration4 crew enjoyed stunning views of Earth through Crew Dragon’s cupola while they orbited the Earth for three days. They returned safely over the weekend – forever changed by the out-of-this-world adventure. Read more: Inspiration4 Crew Share Reaction To Seeing Earth Out Of SpaceX Crew Dragon Cupola For The First Time [VIDEO]
“Can’t believe we’re eating cold pizza in space. It’s extraordinary!” the Inspiration4 crew Tweeted. –“Sorry it was cold! Dragon will have a food warmer & free Wi-Fi next time,” SpaceX founder Elon Musk responded. Company officials shared that ever since the Inspiration4 crew returned from orbit they have been receiving calls from people and organizations who want to book a spaceflight. “The amount of people who are approaching us through our sales and marketing portals has actually increased significantly. There's tons of interest rolling in now,” SpaceX’s Senior Director of Human Spaceflight Benji Reed told reporters.
SpaceX plans to provide Starlink Wi-Fi to future space travelers. The company operates a constellation of internet-beaming Starlink satellites that will blanket Earth with high-speed internet connection. To date, SpaceX operates approximately 1,797 satellites out of over 20,000 that will be launched in the years ahead. Musk said that SpaceX will be capable of providing Starlink internet service to spacecraft even when its flying below or above the satellites. “We’d use our Ka parabolics or laser links for Dragon, Starship or other spacecraft as soon as they got above cloud level,” Musk shared. SpaceX's broadband constellation has satellites equipped with inter-satellite communication laser links that enable each to communicate with one another to transfer data without directly receiving signal from a ground station on Earth. This feature will be useful to provide Starlink internet directly to Dragon or Starship’s cabin.
Earlier this year, engineers installed a Starlink dish antenna to the outer stainless-steel shell of a Starship prototype. They tested the network while the vehicle was flying at an altitude of around 10-kilometers above Boca Chica Beach in South Texas during a test flight. SpaceX has ambitious plans to provide internet in-transit to the Moon and Mars.
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