SpaceX explosion shatters Zuckerberg’s Internet.org dreams

When aSpaceX Falcon 9 rocket exploded on the launch pad during a test at Cape Canaveral, the explosion destroyed not just some satellite but also Mark Zuckerberg’s efforts at making Internet.org a reality.

Though there were no injuries involved, the AMOS-6 satellite which was onboard was supposed to be launched on Saturday, Sept. 3 on a mission to deliver Facebook’s first satellite to orbit and provide the internet to more than 14 countries in Africa to serve the most populated areas more efficiently as part of Facebook’s Internet.org initiative.

Definitely, Facebook won't be able to build another satellite overnight. It will take time, and eventually delay the rollout of Internet.org.

Zuckerberg shared a message on Facebook admitting his disappointment.

The total cost of the satellite was almost $200 million. In October 2015, Facebook and satellite fleet operator Eutelsat had agreed to pay $95 million over about five years to lease the Ka-band spot-beam broadband capacity on AMOS-6.

In the contract between Facebook and Eutelsat, Facebook can terminate the contract if the satellite isn’t operational by January 1st. Maybe it’s time to start over and launch a new satellite?

Nevertheless, Facebook has other options to bring the internet in the developing countries. For example, giant drones (the Aquila project) or lasers.