Elon Musk sends Starlink satellites to Florida after Hurricane Ian 

Elon Musk agreed to send Space X’s satellite internet service, Starlink, to help communities in Southwest Florida that were devastated by Hurricane Ian and left without connectivity. 

"We are working with Elon Musk and Starlink satellite. They are positioning those Starlink satellites to provide good coverage in Southwest Florida and other affected areas," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said on Saturday. "We are expecting 120 additional large Starlink units to deploy to Southwest Florida.”

Southwest Florida was particularly affected by Hurricane Ian, one of the most powerful hurricanes to make landfall in the United States. As of Sunday morning, more than 865,000 people were left without power. 

DeSantis added that 30 Starlink units were going to be distributed to Lee and Charlotte counties to help restore communications for residents. Additionally, ten Starlink units were sent to Emergency Operation Centers and first responders to use in their rescue efforts. 

Starlink is a satellite constellation that delivers high-speed broadband internet. “A large satellite device can support over 1,000 users at a given time over a 13-mile radius,” DeSantis said. “So that will help bridge some of the connectivity issues.”

Musk and his company, SpaceX, donated the costs associated with the coverage, DeSantis said. 

"Thanks to your innovative technology, Floridians will be able to better connect with their loved ones," the governor wrote on Twitter Saturday.

We worked with @SpaceX to deploy 120 large Starlink units to Southwest Florida that will provide broadband, fast.

Thanks to your innovative technology, Floridians will be able to better connect with their loved ones. pic.twitter.com/JvkZ4hR9fp

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 1, 2022