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After Visit to Brazil, Elon Musk, Owner of Tesla and SpaceX, Announces Launch of Starlink Network to Connect Over 19,000 Schools in Rural Areas and Monitor the Amazon

Written by Valdemar Medeiros
Published on 20/05/2022 at 19:18
Updated on 20/05/2022 at 19:28
Elon Musk - Tesla - SpaceX - Starlink - Bolsonaro - Amazônia
Elon Musk anuncia lançamento do Starlink para conectar 19 mil escolas e monitoramento da Amazônia – Foto: Reprodução/ Twitter
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Considered the richest man in the world by Forbes, billionaire Elon Musk was in Brazil this Friday (20) for a meeting with President Jair Bolsonaro in Porto Feliz, a municipality in the interior of São Paulo. The meeting between the owner of Starlink, Tesla, SpaceX, and other companies focuses on connectivity and the environment, mainly involving the Amazon region, according to official reports from the Federal Government. One of Elon Musk’s intentions is to invest in satellites for 5G internet in the state. For that, the billionaire is expected to utilize Starlink, a company that is an extension of SpaceX, which provides internet through a system of low Earth orbit satellites.

Understand How Starlink Satellites Work

In practice, the investments to be made in the Amazon involve a constellation of 4 thousand satellites in Earth orbit, located approximately 500 km above ground, which is quite close to the earth, considering that most common satellites are positioned about 35 thousand km from Earth.

According to Starlink, Elon Musk’s company, data transmission and reception are faster than fiber optic systems, and the satellites promise to provide ultra-fast internet. If the agreement with the Federal Government and the owner of the Tesla comes to fruition, the aim is to implement the network in 19 thousand rural schools and conduct environmental mapping of the Amazon.

Elon Musk Meets with the President of the Republic – Jair Bolsonaro

YouTube video
Elon Musk Announces Starlink in Brazil After Meeting with Bolsonaro – Reproduction/Youtube

The owner of Tesla met with President Jair Bolsonaro and other government members at the Fasano Boa Vista Hotel in Porto Feliz, in the interior of São Paulo. According to reports.

At the meeting with the billionaire entrepreneur, President Jair Bolsonaro praised Musk and stated that the most important aspect is his presence, which is something immaterial. According to Bolsonaro, these days, he could be referred to as a myth of freedom.

“The example he gave us, just a few weeks ago, when he announced the purchase of Twitter, was like a breath of hope for us,” says Bolsonaro. It’s worth noting that earlier this year, the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) granted permission to Starlink to invest in the commercial operation of satellites in the country. The company’s website already has a version in Portuguese, where it is possible to request the equipment. The site also states that orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Information About Elon Musk’s Negotiation for the Installation of Satellites in Brazil

For some time now, Elon Musk has been looking towards Brazil, particularly for investments in the Amazon. Last November, the owner of Starlink and Tesla met with Fábio Faria, Minister of Communications, to discuss the possibility of operating his satellite company in Brazil.

The dialogue between the two was the first step toward the current negotiation, which resulted in the billionaire’s visit to Brazil this Friday (20).

In March, representatives from SpaceX sent a letter of interest to the State Secretariat for Economic Development, Science, Technology and Innovation (Sedecti) of the state of Amazonas. At that time, Amazonas Governor Wilson Lima (União Brasil) expressed gratitude and confirmed that everything was set for the advancement of talks with Elon Musk’s company. According to Sedecti, these negotiations are already underway and soon new investments will come. 

Valdemar Medeiros

Formado em Jornalismo e Marketing, é autor de mais de 20 mil artigos que já alcançaram milhões de leitores no Brasil e no exterior. Já escreveu para marcas e veículos como 99, Natura, O Boticário, CPG – Click Petróleo e Gás, Agência Raccon e outros. Especialista em Indústria Automotiva, Tecnologia, Carreiras (empregabilidade e cursos), Economia e outros temas. Contato e sugestões de pauta: valdemarmedeiros4@gmail.com. Não aceitamos currículos!

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