Elon Musk is talking with satellite industry executives about creating smaller, less-expensive satellites "that can deliver Internet access across the globe," according to a Wall Street Journal article today.
Citing anonymous sources, the Journal reported that Musk is working with Greg Wyler, a former Google executive who founded a new company called WorldVu Satellite.
"In talks with industry executives, Messrs. Musk and Wyler have discussed launching around 700 satellites, each weighing less than 250 pounds, the people familiar with the matter said," the Journal wrote. "That is about half the size of the smallest communications satellites now in commercial use. The constellation would be 10 times the size of the largest current fleet, managed by Iridium Communications Inc."
Musk is CEO of private space exploration company SpaceX, which could launch the satellites if the project becomes reality. But the discussed satellite venture could cost $1 billion or more and faces "large financial, technical, and regulatory hurdles," the Journal wrote. Talks are in early stages and Musk hasn't committed to going through with it. Musk is also CEO of the electric car company Tesla Motors.
"Building a plant and testing satellites is a lengthy process, and WorldVu needs to clear the use of spectrum with other operators," the report said. "SpaceX may not have capacity to launch the satellites until the end of the decade, by which time WorldVu risks losing its spectrum."
Wyler previously led a satellite venture at Google, but he left the company after a year "because he wasn’t sure the search giant had sufficient manufacturing expertise," the report stated.
Google was reportedly intending to use satellites to bring Internet access to parts of the world where connectivity is scarce. It's not clear what the target customer base would be for a Musk/Wyler venture.
We asked SpaceX's public relations team if it can confirm the Journal report but the company declined to comment.
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