Move over Elon Musk, a new player is throwing their hat into the cosmos. New details revealed by CH Media have revealed that the Swiss government is planning its own Starlink-style communications network, which would include up to 40 different satellites crossing in the inky black.
Swiss Starlink system in the works, CH Media reports
From supporting internet services in hard-to-reach and war-torn regions to crashing to Earth above Switzerland, Starlink is the new hotness for those interested in the cutting edge of space technology. The system of small satellites is able to provide high-speed internet access across the world and has the potential to open up the World Wide Web to millions.
Now, CH Media has revealed that Switzerland is planning a Starlink-style system of its own. According to their reports, the trail of breadcrumbs starts with the planned replacement for Polycom, the communications system used by the federal government and the emergency services.
Switzerland planning to build satellite communications network
Called MSK, internal reports have demanded that the new 2,9-billion franc system involve a Starlink-style satellite network and that Ruag - Switzerland's main armaments company - should take steps to develop them. Writing to the Aargauer Zeitung, Ruag refused to deny the rumour, saying that the plan was part of an “ongoing political process.”
In addition, the Swiss Army and Department of Defence have recently voiced their opposition to selling publicly owned company Beyond Gravity - an international company based in Zurich that produces components for rockets and satellites - with the former planning to create a new “Space Command” system.
40 satellites could offer coverage to whole of Switzerland
Unlike Elon Musk’s system of 6.350 satellites, insiders speaking to CH Media said that the Swiss version would only involve 40 satellites. Even so, they predict that this network will provide internet and mobile connectivity in all parts of the country.
Speaking against the sale of Beyond Gravity, Centre Party National Councillor Isabelle Chappuis said that “by selling, are we not giving up know-how that will be of strategic importance in the future... [it] is one of the largest players in the European space industry alongside Airbus, Thales and OHB."
She said that while Switzerland will not be flying to the moon anytime soon, space is the “next megatrend.” “We can establish a Starlink system in space during this time - a kind of Swiss Stars system," she concluded.