San Francisco Feb 12 (IANS) SpaceX is targeting February 17 for the test launch of its first satellite for global internet constellation -- a project informally known as Starlink which aims to provide low-cost internet access on a global scale the media reported.
The prototype spacecraft known as Microsat 2a and 2b are reportedly to be included as secondary payloads on a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California Geekwire.com reported late on Sunday.
The primary payload is a 3 000-pound Spanish radar observation satellite called Paz.
"Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete -- targeting February 17 launch of Paz from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California " SpaceX tweeted on Sunday.
SpaceX has kept mum about many of the details relating to Starlink but the company s business plan calls for putting thousands of communication satellites in orbit with limited service starting by 2020 the report said.
According to a report at Nasaspaceflight.com the Paz satellite - named after the Spanish word for "peace" - will be launched into a 514 km circular orbit. It was built by Airbus for the Spanish company hisdeSAT and will be used for military and civilian purposes.
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