Google to provide Internet access with 180 satellites

Hmmm, Skynet anyone?

Oh, and if 1 Billion gets you 180, than 3 Billion should total 580 low orbit satellites.

Originally posted by rocky38:

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Hmmm, Skynet anyone?

Oh, and if 1 Billion gets you 180, than 3 Billion should total 580 low orbit satellites.

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Tim Farrar, the man quoted by WSJ, has updated his recent blog post on the news with a clarification. Here is the paragraph on costings:

Quote:

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UPDATE (6/1): The WSJ now has more details of the plan, confirming my supposition that it would start with 180 satellites and add the rest later. I was quoted in that article as stating that “180 small satellites could be launched for as little as about $600 million” but that should not be interpreted as a total cost for building and launching the satellites. If the target of 100kg could be achieved, the all-in cost for the first 180 satellites would certainly approach $2B, and if the satellites end up being more like 200-300kg, which a satellite designer suggested to me might be easier to achieve, then that all-in cost could reach $3B. The full 360 satellite system would likely cost $3B for the 100kg satellites and $4B-$5B for the 200-300kg satellites.

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Originally posted by Ripper:

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Tim Farrar, the man quoted by WSJ, has updated his recent blog post on the news with a clarification. Here is the paragraph on costings:

Quote:

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UPDATE (6/1): The WSJ now has more details of the plan, confirming my supposition that it would start with 180 satellites and add the rest later. I was quoted in that article as stating that “180 small satellites could be launched for as little as about $600 million” but that should not be interpreted as a total cost for building and launching the satellites. If the target of 100kg could be achieved, the all-in cost for the first 180 satellites would certainly approach $2B, and if the satellites end up being more like 200-300kg, which a satellite designer suggested to me might be easier to achieve, then that all-in cost could reach $3B. The full 360 satellite system would likely cost $3B for the 100kg satellites and $4B-$5B for the 200-300kg satellites.

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I would encourage reading the rest of the post too, though.

http://tmfassociates.com/blog/2014/05/29/googles-space-odyssey/

Edit RE the 'Skynet' remark - there are already a lot of satellites in Lower Earth Orbit and beyond, including ones there to serve this exact purpose - provide internet access to remote locations. This is just public interest because, well, it's Google.

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No problem!

Can't see cost standing in the way of Google's ambition here anyway and I would imagine SpaceX will win this contract, particularly considering the relationship between Larry Page and Elon Musk. The more money being put into the private space industry the better, in my opinion.

I see more futuristic deal:
A FREE Hi-speed Wi-Fi everywhere on small/big business, schools, etc. Than a 1K small satellites falling down 'cos out of orbit.

Just saying.