Sky-gazers can anticipate a steady increase in microsatellites looking down on them as they look upward at the stars. Inexpensive, low-orbiting satellites are already hovering overhead, snapping photos of the Earth’s surface and enabling communications. These microsatellites ought not be confused with the biological microsatellites, which are short tandem repeats in DNA. SpaceX is definitely not confusing the two as founder Elon Musk announcedt via Twitter this week that the company will throw its hat into the microsatellite ring.

Even though Musk said an official announcement was still months away, considerable speculation on the nature of the SpaceX microsatellite foray is pointing in the direction of high-speed, satellite-based internet for areas where fiber networks are lacking. A report last week revealed that SpaceX is partnering with WorldVu Satellites, Ltd, a company founded by Greg Wyler, who also created the high-speed internet satellite company called O3b Networks. Wyler left O3b for Google to help with satellite-based internet but has since departed from Google as well.

WorldVu possesses the rights to the right spectrum for satellite internet until the end of this decade so it makes sense that a partnership with SpaceX would form an effort to position a large network of internet satellites in orbit. However, other applications of microsatellites include Earth-based imaging and small space telescopes for identifying asteroids for mining. Some speculate that WorldVu wants to launch satellites into orbit with SpaceX rockets, which would save time over waiting for a new venture to develop a dedicated launch vehicle.