Hundreds of internet satellites could be Elon Musk’s next big project

Elon Musk has already made rockets and amazing electric cars. Next on his plate are mini satellites that provide Wi-Fi connections, according to sources speaking with the Wall Street Journal. Musk isn’t the first person to go after the worldwide Internet dream. Facebook and Google are also devising ways to bring Wi-Fi to regions without the infrastructure to get people connected, just with drones and balloons. Musk is reportedly working with an ex-Google executive, Greg Wyler, who is also a veteran of the satellite industry.

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk shook up the automotive and aerospace industries with electric cars and cheap rockets. Now, he is focused on satellites, looking at ways to make smaller, less-expensive models that can deliver Internet access across the globe, according to people familiar with the matter. Mr. Musk is working with Greg Wyler, a satellite-industry veteran and former Google Inc. executive, these people said. Mr. Wyler founded WorldVu Satellites Ltd., which controls a large block of radio spectrum. In talks with industry executives, Messrs. Musk and Wyler have discussed launching around 700 satellites, each weighing less than 250 pounds, the people said. That is about half the size of the smallest communications satellites now in commercial use. The satellite constellation would be 10 times the size of the largest current fleet, managed by Iridium Communications Inc.