More than two years ago, Elon Musk announced the company's intention to build an internet constellation, consisting of several thousand satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO), providing 1 gigabit-per-second (1 Gbps) broadband to customers across the globe. The company plans to begin on-orbit tests later in 2017 and begin full launch operations in 2019 through 2024.
Patricia Cooper, SpaceX's Vice President of Satellite Government Affairs, addressed the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: "We plan to design, develop, produce, launch, and operate a constellation of 4,000 satellites," Cooper said to the committee. "These will provide high-speed, low-latency, and affordable broadband to the underserved, and unserved, populations throughout the United States and abroad.