SpaceX to launch satellite for low-cost internet across globe on February 17

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SpaceX to launch satellite for low-cost internet across globe on February 17
SpaceX to launch satellite for low-cost internet across globe on February 17

San Francisco : SpaceX will be launching a satellite for low-cost internet across the globe on February 17 this year, said media reports. The project is informally known as Starlink.

The prototype spacecraft, known as Microsat 2a and 2b, is reported to be included as secondary payloads on a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Geekwire.com reported late on Sunday.

The primary payload is a 3,000-pound Spanish radar observation satellite called Paz.

"Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete - targeting February 17 launch of Paz from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California," SpaceX tweeted on Sunday.

No details have been unveiled about the Starlink mission as the company aims to put thousands of communication satellite in orbit by 2020.

According to a report at Nasaspaceflight.com, the Paz satellite - named after the Spanish word for "peace" - will be launched into a 514 km circular orbit. It was built by Airbus for the Spanish company hisdeSAT, and will be used for military and civilian purposes.