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While watching today’s launch, occurred to me the ratio of paying-client launches to Starlink launches is [whatever it is]. Profit margins on paid launches must
by ctdonath 6y ago
While watching today’s launch, occurred to me the ratio of paying-client launches to Starlink launches is [whatever it is]. Profit margins on paid launches must be high, maybe amazing, to support so many Starlink launches.
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]
- jewel 6y agoThey've also been raising money ($850M in February) so they don't necessarily have to be using profit from paid launches.
- sfblah 6y agoDoes SpaceX really have any capital constraints? I'd assume that in the current environment they can essentially raise/borrow unlimited capital just on Musk's brand name.
- adriancr 6y agoJust based on their reusable rockets, government contracts and potential they can borrow unlimited capital... Musk is an added bonus (that can also likely fund it himself fully)
- BurningFrog 6y agoStarlink should make tons of money soon. These launch costs are investments.
- martin8412 6y agoThey won't.. It's a product that's only remotely viable in remote locations. So Australia, Canada and US. Most of the rest of the world has no need for it
- arcticfox 6y agoSeriously? Unless Europe is "most of the world", I think you're quite mistaken. Join me in rural Brazil, for example!
- Hiopl 6y agoI know parts of Europe which would definitely benefit from Starlink. There are plenty of rural areas even in the most well-off EU countries with shitty internet.
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]
- Rebelgecko 6y agoThat things that's clever is that it's a great way to test the limits of their refurbished boosters. A paying customer might be unhappy if SpaceX uses their launch vehicle to push the limits of minimal maintenance and reusability. But for their own payloads, that's not a big deal. Especially since if there is an oopsie, the Starlink payloads are much more easily replaced since they're mass produced