# Extraterrestrial Internet Plans Elon Musk has a $10 Billion Project to Get the Internet on Mars By Alyson Wyers | Published 2015-01-22 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/internet-on-mars References: [theverge](http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/16/7569333/elon-musk-wants-to-spend-10-billion-building-the-internet-in-space) & [businessweek](http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2015-01-17/elon-musk-and-spacex-plan-a-space-internet) In a plan outlined to Bloomberg Businessweek, [Tesla](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unistellar) CEO Elon Musk described his desire to build Internet on Mars. The $10 billion venture was announced at the recent [SpaceX](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starlink1) event. The unnamed satellite Internet project will result in fast and cheap Internet accessibility around the world that would be without terrestrial boundaries. Musk explains "the speed of light is 40% faster in the vacuum of space than it is for fiber." This means low orbit Internet satellites can serve those in remote rural areas. Given recent entrepreneurial endeavors like community-empowering telecoms such as Endaga's CCN1 and outreach from companies like [Google](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/facebook-and-google), initiatives like this could result in greater access to Internet in developing countries too. The SpaceX founder also foresees a human colony on the Red Planet in addition to Internet on Mars. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.3/10 - Popularity: 18% | Activity: 14% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Internet](https://www.trendhunter.com/internet) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Extraterrestrial Internet:** Developing a network infrastructure on Mars could open opportunities for a decentralized and borderless communication system. - **Low Orbit Satellites:** Satellites in low orbit have the potential to provide cost-effective and high-speed internet connectivity to underserved areas on Earth. - **Internet Access in Developing Countries:** Initiatives like SpaceX's satellite internet project and community-driven telecoms could improve access to the internet in developing countries. ### Where This Applies - **Telecommunications:** Developing and deploying a satellite-based communication system could disrupt traditional telecommunications industries and provide new opportunities for growth. - **Space Exploration:** Building a human colony on Mars will require new technological advancements and investments, opening opportunities for industries in aerospace, materials science, and more. - **Internet Service Providers:** New players, such as SpaceX, who provide global, borderless internet connectivity could disrupt traditional ISPs and drive down costs for consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Far-Reaching Internet Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starlink1.md) - [Satellite Connectivity Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spacex-directtocell-program.md) - [Seafarer Satellite Internet Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starlink-maritime.md) - [Personal Internet Satellite Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starlink.md) - [Satellite-Powered Telecom Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tmobile-and-spacex.md) - [Internet-Supporting Space Terminals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amazon-2.md) - [Portable Satellite Internet Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starlink-portability.md) - [Portable Satellite Internet](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starlink-mini1.md) - [Satellite-Powered Telecom Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tmobile-tsatellite.md)