The New Race to Build a Space-Based Internet

September 2, 2016

Jim Cantrell, CEO at Vector Space Systems and a founding member of SpaceX, told NBC News, “the reality is outside of populated areas critical infrastructure doesn’t really exist.”

Cantrell sees a space-based internet as an opportunity for businesses that are driven by clicks, such as Facebook, to reach new markets.

“There is an economic and idealistic goal associated with this but if it doesn’t pay for itself nobody is going to do it,” he said.

Virgin Galactic and Qualcomm announced last year they were teaming up with satellite company OneWeb to plan a similar satellite system to foster high-speed worldwide connectivity.