Starlink: connecting the most remote areas
It is in a tweet recently relayed by Elon Musk that we find a surprising video from 2003, recorded during a speech at Stanford University. Elon Musk outlined his ambition to build a global Internet access network. This visionary project began to come to fruition in 2015, when SpaceX announced the launch of a constellation of low-orbit satellites to provide fast and reliable connection, even in remote regions. In May 2019, SpaceX sent the first 60 Starlink satellites into orbit, marking a true turning point for the space industry.
Today, Starlink has more than 4,000 satellites in orbit and connects millions of homes around the world, especially in rural or underserved areas. By 2023, technology has evolved to enable a direct connection between satellites and smartphones via 4G, eliminating the need for complex terrestrial infrastructure. This innovation, which is beginning to develop commercially, opens up new perspectives for poorly connected regions, particularly in Africa and Asia, where it is already disrupting local telecommunications markets. For example, in Kenya, Starlink is establishing itself as an alternative to traditional operators, while raising questions about its economic and social impact.
SpaceX: a key player in the conquest of space
Starlink is just one of SpaceX's many transformative projects. Founded in 2002, the company has redefined space industry standards through key innovations, including rocket reuse. The Falcon 9, capable of landing after a launch, revolutionized the costs and frequency of space missions. This technical prowess has allowed SpaceX to increase the number of commercial launches, including for Starlink.
The Starship project represents another major breakthrough. This super-heavy, fully reusable launch vehicle is designed to transport heavy loads and crews to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. In October 2024, SpaceX reached a crucial milestone by successfully recovering the Starship's “Super Heavy” booster using an innovative capture system nicknamed “Mechazilla”. This advancement brings the company closer to its ultimate goal: making space travel more affordable and more frequent.
At the same time, SpaceX is collaborating with NASA on the Artemis program, the objective of which is to bring astronauts back to the Moon by 2026. A modified version of the Starship was selected as a lunar lander, again with the idea of strengthening SpaceX's central role in space exploration. In January 2025, SpaceX plans to test an electrodynamic dust shield on the Moon, a technology that could be very useful for future lunar missions.
A long-term vision: multiplanetary humanity
Elon Musk sees well beyond Earth's orbit. With SpaceX and Starlink, he seeks to make humanity multi-planetary. For example, the idea of universal connectivity offered by Starlink is essential for establishing colonies on Mars and maintaining communications between planets. The Starship, for its part, is the vessel that could make this vision a reality by transporting humans and cargo to the Red Planet.
On Earth, Musk aims to expand the Starlink network to cover 100% of the planet, while exploring applications such as 5G space and military communications. These developments are, however, accompanied by complex challenges, particularly in terms of international regulation, space debris management and the environmental impact of thousands of satellites in low orbit. But nothing seems to stop the billionaire, who strives to realize this vision, which he already described with precision 21 years ago (and probably even before, if we dig deeper).
Elon Musk and politics: a new issue for SpaceX and Starlink
In recent weeks, Elon Musk has been named head of a future government department under the new Trump administration: the Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE). This role could strengthen the influence of SpaceX and Starlink on space and telecoms policies. With this strategic position, Musk could make it easier to obtain government contracts, ease regulations and accelerate the deployment of his technologies. This is one of Musk's strengths: not neglecting the political aspect to move his projects forward quickly.
However, this proximity to political power raises questions and criticism. Some fear an excessive concentration of power between the private sector and public institutions, while others see it as an opportunity to drive large-scale innovation. This mix of private affairs and public responsibilities could ultimately pose problems and complicate the rules of the game for SpaceX and the space industry as a whole. This is why Elon Musk must move quickly, make his innovations essential and force possible regulations to adapt to him, and not the other way around.
A future full of promise
Over two decades, Elon Musk and SpaceX have transformed the space and telecommunications industry with unimaginable innovation and unwavering vision. From Starlink, which bridges the global digital divide, to Starship, which promises to make space exploration an accessible reality, SpaceX's contributions are redefining what is possible in these sectors.
However, with Musk's entry into American politics, the future of SpaceX and Starlink is also becoming more controversial. As Musk's ambitions continue to push the boundaries of science and technology, his new role raises questions about the balance between innovation, regulation and ethics. One thing is certain: the story of SpaceX and Starlink is far from over. It doesn't matter whether we love or hate Elon Musk, he is now an essential figure of innovation and the future, both technological and human, if we consider the importance that space exploration could have for generations future.
