In May 2019, SpaceX began launching its Starlink constellation with the launch of its first 60 satellites. To date, the company has launched more than 800 satellites and is producing them at a rate of about 120 per month (as of this summer). By the end of 2021 or 2022, Elon Musk hopes to provide global service near the constellation of 1,440 satellites and perhaps provide 42,000 Internet access to the entire planet before the end of this decade.
Until November 2020, SpaceX invites participants to take part in a public beta test called “Nothing Better”. The service, properly named, is providing users with a modest rate of 500 to 150 megabytes per second, hoping to distract them with gigabit download speeds. But more interesting is the small thing in terms of service, where participants must accept that Mars is a “free planet”.
This thing was seen through the Twitter account “Hallmarsblog“(Which has since been deactivated), and later confirmed the reddit-user’s” smoke-away “. That users must sign up to participate in the “Nothing Better” beta test.
This includes the following item in the section entitled “Management Law”:
“For services provided on Mars, or for transport to Mars by Starship or other colonization spacecraft, the parties recognize Mars as a free planet and No Earth-based government has authority or sovereignty over Mars eclipse activities. Accordingly, at the time of the Murcian settlement, disputes would be settled by the principles of self-government, established in good faith. “
Well … that’s definitely a bold statement. And it certainly didn’t come as a surprise, as Musk has made it clear that he hopes to someday establish a colony on Mars. In addition to starting exploring Mars, the establishment of a colony on the Red Planet is one of the reasons why Musk started SpaceX in 2001. There is also a purpose behind this Starship And Super-heavy Launch system.
On many occasions, Kasturi has provided snippets of what his long-term vision will be. As he described it January 2020, It hopes to increase product size Starship, 100 year construction for ten years to build a fleet of 1000 starships. They estimate that this will be able to transport up to 100 megawatts a year or 100 people per trip, which happens every 26 months (when Earth and Mars are close).
A few decades later, he hopes this will culminate in the creation of a self-sustaining culture on Mars, with a population of at least one million men, women and children. As for what kind of government this culture has, Musk has expressed his preference for direct democracy in the past, as he did during his 2018 visit to the South by Southwest Conference. As it shows in the video above (10 minute mark):
“Most likely, the form of government on Mars will be something of a direct democracy where people vote directly on issues rather than go through a representative government. When the United States was formed, representative government was the only thing that was logically possible because there was no way for the people. Talk to you soon. “
Communicate soon? Does it sound like a certain service that Kasturi hopes to give people? Finally, Musk has hinted that he hopes to establish a satellite constellation around Mars to provide broadband access. And while it seems that Kasturi lays the groundwork for a more bizarre social experiment, this is not without precedent.
In fact, there is an enduring tradition that states that national governments cannot declare sovereignty over space or other planets. According to Article II of the Outer Space Treaty (signed in 1968), it states: “Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national allocation by claim to sovereignty, use or occupation, or by any other means. “
These terms, however, are in stark contrast to what the Governing Law Department states about Starlink services on Earth or the Moon:
“For services rendered around the planet Earth or the Moon or in its orbit, these terms and any disputes between us arising out of or relating to these terms shall be governed and fixed by disputes relating to arbitrability (“ disputes ”). In accordance with the laws of the state of California in the United States. “
So while Starlink and Musk’s other ventures are still subject to Earth’s land laws, Mars may be a different story. For some, the idea of a colony-forming corporation inspires all sorts of distopion ideas, not to mention some hostile historical-historical comparisons. A look at Hudson’s two or the East India Company’s record will make anyone think twice!
Of course, it is worth emphasizing that these Terms of Service are subject to public beta testing and may not represent the final version for a while. Starlink‘S services are officially available. So if you really want to take part in a “better than nothing” test, it’s probably okay to check that box!
While Kasturi certainly enjoys thinking about the future (and talking about it) there is so much TBD between now and then that it makes so much sense to speculate on how Mars will rule!
Further reading: Inverse, Futurism