If SpaceX confirms most or all of its satellites deployed successfully, and they are able to make contract with ground stations, then the launch will mark the largest step forward for any company attempting such a project. It could even set SpaceX up to beat out competitors such as Amazon and SoftBank-backed OneWeb, which each want to form internet constellations of their own.
SpaceX ultimately wants Starlink to grow to include potentially thousands of satellites over the next few years. The company says it could make available low-cost internet for a significant portion of the world's population that isn't yet online and offer a competitive alternative for people who aren't happy with their broadband provider.
Getting SpaceX's full constellation up and running will cost in the ballpark of $10 billion dollars, and Musk has conceded that such efforts have bankrupted others, such as the satellite operator Iridium. But when asked about funding for Starlink last week, he said the company has"sufficient capital" to carry out its plans. He added that SpaceX's latest funding round attracted"more interest than we were seeking.
SpaceX will need another six missions, Musk said, before Starlink can provide consistent internet coverage for small parts of the world. It will take 12 launches before the company can provide coverage for a significant portion of the world's population, according to Musk.