Talks of a possible SpaceX collaboration with Verizon social media behemoth Facebook have been circulating in line with SpaceX's ambitious plan to reach Mars.
A recent report suggests that Elon Musk and SpaceX is in serious talks with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg pertaining to SpaceX's ambitious Mars mission, telecom giant Verizon is reportedly joining the effort.
However, it is of note that these reports are still considered speculation as there have been no reported confirmation of these talks or if any deals have been struck for the possible partnership. It is also plausible, if talks indeed took place, that it might not have anything to do with SpaceX's Mars mission.
Amid the rocket explosion last September, it seems SpaceX is intent on pushing trough with a 2017 launch, though there have been no announcements from SpaceX or Musk if all the glitches in the Falcon 9 booster rockets are already addressed as well as issues regarding its failed flight.
SpaceX recently filed an application with the FCC for the deployment of 4,425 satellites aiming to provide an array of broadband and communication services residential, commercial as well as government institutions spanning the entire globe. The system hopes to provide each user up to 1 Gbps in broadband connectivity if the system were to be put in place, according to Mobipicker.
The planned initial 800 satellites SpaceX is planning to deploy will be sufficient to cover the entire U.S. as well as provide international coverage for its broadband services. Worth noting is that each satellite will be as big as a mini cooper and will be orbiting Earth at altitudes between 715-790 miles or 1,150-1,275 kilometers respectively.
Approval of the FCC application would greatly benefit Facebook and Verizon in the event the rumored collaboration with SpaceX ever takes place in the future. Worth noting as well is NASA's decision in selecting SpaceX to provide launch services for its Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission scheduled for launch in April 2021, according to NASA.
