Elon Musk 'to launch fleet of internet satellites' The smallest communications satellites currently in use weigh around 500lbs and cost several million dollars each, and the largest existing satellite constellation - managed by Iridium Communications - is around a tenth of the size of Musk's proposed fleet. WSJ notes that the project is likely to face large financial, technical and regulatory hurdles, and industry officials estimate that it would cost $1 billion or more to develop the project. However, Mr Musk and Mr Wyler are reportedly already in talks with state officials in Florida and Colorado about building a factory to make satellites, and SpaceX could potentially launch the satellites using its Falcon 9 rockets. If the project goes ahead, Mr Musk will face stiff competition from tech giants Facebook and Google, both if which have announced plans to deliver internet access to remote parts of the world using satellites. Facebook hopes to expand its reach - particularly in the developing world - by dispatching a fleet of solar-powered aircraft and satellites which would emit infrared laser beams to speed up internet connections. Meanwhile, Google recently revealed plans to invest more than $1 billion (£597m) in a fleet of satellites to bring the internet to parts of the world that are currently unconnected. Mr Wyler was briefly involved in the project, before leaving to work with Mr Musk. Who is best placed to provide internet coverage in developing countries?