Elon Musk’s Starlink network offers an intriguing alternative to broadband connections in rural areas, all while creating significant risks for competitors. Musk has made a name for himself in recent years with the successes of SpaceX and Tesla on the market, making him the third-richest man in the world. But Musk’s goals are not to stay on Earth. Musk has been striving to build a network of private satellites worldwide to provide internet access to anyone willing to pay the fee.

This network, known as Starlink, is based on the web of orbital satellites that SpaceX has released since 2018. The network was built as a constellation of connections but has been optimized for internet connections. The network averages around 1,300 satellites, with the intent to expand the network to around 42,000 in the future. SpaceX submitted an application to the Federal Communications Commission that would allow Starlink’s components to link up with moving vehicles, notably planes, RVs, trucks, and ships. This application will not include Tesla vehicles, as Musk noted on Twitter.