Elon Musk's SpaceX Wins FCC Approval to Deploy 7,518 Satellites
- FCC gives approval to SpaceX for communication orbitals
- Agency also takes steps to reduce growing space debris risks
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Elon Musk’s SpaceX won permission to deploy more than 7,000 satellites, far more than all operating spacecraft currently aloft, from U.S. regulators who also moved to reduce a growing risk from space debris as skies grow more crowded.
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. has two test satellites aloft, and it earlier won permission for a separate set of 4,425 satellites -- which like the 7,518 satellites authorized Thursday are designed to provide broadband communications. It has said it plans to begin launches next year.