Elon Musk’s SpaceX Company launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida on Thursday. The aim was to transmit the first batch of five dozen small satellites into low-Earth orbit. SpaceX launched the rocket for his new Starlink internet service. SpaceX to Launch First Satellite for Internet Service

The rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at about 10:30 pm local time. It was design a milestone in a global enterprise aimed at generating cash for Musk’s larger ambitions in space.

SpaceX to Launch First Satellite for Internet Service

The Falcon 9 releases its cargo of 60 satellites into orbit about an hour after its launch. Each one weighs 500 pounds (227 kg), making it the heaviest payload for any SpaceX rocket to date.

The satellites aree planned to arrange the initial phase for high-speed internet service from space to paying customers around the globe.

According to Musk, launch service income to top out at around $3 billion a year.  He said that new Starlink scheme as an important new revenue stream for his California-based Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX.

Musk said:

We think this is a key stepping stone on the way towards establishing a self-sustaining city on Mars and a base on the moon,”

Musk said SpaceX would begin approaching customers later this year or next year.