Elon Musk-run SpaceX now controls 60 per cent share of the global launch business, as he aims to bring Starlink, which uses low-orbit satellites to provide broadband internet connections, to India.
This year, the company had already put more than 1,000 satellites in orbit till June, Nikkei Asia reported on Monday.
“It now accounts for more than 60 per cent of satellites launched worldwide, according to the data from Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics,” the report said.
SpaceX has sent nearly 5,000 satellites to space since 2019 and has applied for permission to operate a total of 42,000. A single SpaceX rocket can carry as many as 60 satellites at once.
After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the US last month, Musk said the country is great for solar energy investment.
“India is great for solar energy investment. We are also hoping to bring Starlink internet to India. I am incredibly excited about the future of India. I think India has more promise than any large country in the world,” he told reporters after the meeting.
Musk said improved internet connectivity "can be incredibly helpful" in remote villages with poor broadband access.
Indian space sector startup Azista BST Aerospace Pvt Ltd's first remote sensing satellite ABA First Runner (AFR) was successfully orbited by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket last month. According to SpaceX, the rocket on a dedicated rideshare mission carried 72 spacecraft that includes CubeSats, MicroSats and others and one of them was the Ahmedabad-based Azista BST Aerospace's 80 kg satellite AFR.
Azista BST Aerospace is an Indo-German satellite manufacturing joint venture floated by India's Azista Industries Pvt. Ltd (holding 70 per cent stake) and Berlin Space Technologies GmbH (holding 30 per cent stake).
Last month, SpaceX successfully deployed Indonesia's new communications satellite into orbit.
According to The Jakarta Post, the $550 million spacecraft “is envisioned to boost connectivity inclusion in the country, providing free Internet connection to 150,000 public facilities, including schools, regional government offices and health facilities”.
16th Finance Commission team to visit Tripura on Jan 29
The 16th Finance Commission headed by Chairman Arvind Panagariya would hold a series of meetings simultaneously with the Tripura government and various stakeholders such as political parties, rural and urban local bodies, and representatives of trade, Industries, and Commerce here during its four-day visit to the state from Wednesday, an official said.
Mumbai-based NGO Sampoorna focused on empowering young women, launched regular health camps in Guwahati
These camps bring together experienced doctors who provide essential health checkups, ensuring the physical well-being of elderly residents. The camps have already had a positive impact, with senior citizens reporting better management of chronic health conditions, timely medical intervention, and improved overall health awareness.
Tripura to utilise Bhashini AI to promote regional languages, boost digital participation
In a significant step towards promoting regional languages and increasing digital participation, the state government on Tuesday partnered the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to utilise Bhashini, an AI-driven language translation tool.
Tripura CPI(M) to hold rally in Agartala tomorrow despite no venue clearance by police
The main opposition party in Tripura, CPI(M) as part of its three-day 24th state conference will hold a mega public gathering here on Wednesday even as the BJP government has not allotted any venue for the meeting.
Maha Kumbh 2025: Over 15 crore pilgrims take holy dip at Triveni Sangam
The Maha Kumbh, one of the most sacred festivals in Hinduism, is underway in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, with over 15 crore pilgrims taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.
Non-local killings: NIA raids multiple places in Kashmir
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday conducted raids at multiple locations in Kashmir in connection with the killings of non-locals by the terrorists.
A White House visit discussed on Trump-Modi phone call
The White House said in a readout that they also discussed security in the Indo-Pacific, West Asia and Europe, and the Quad (a grouping India and the US form with Japan and Australia) during the phone conversation on Monday.
Tension prevails along India-Bangladesh border after clash between farmers
Tension prevailed along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura’s Unakoti district on Monday after a clash between the farmers of two villages on the border of the countries, officials said.