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Starlink is such a brilliant move by SpaceX, both financially and how it has demonstrated excellence in areas that are nothing to do with rocket development. Ho

by axg11 4y ago

Starlink is such a brilliant move by SpaceX, both financially and how it has demonstrated excellence in areas that are nothing to do with rocket development. How many other similar companies could successfully spin up a direct to consumer side business? Granted, building the Starlink satellites themselves is well within their wheelhouse, but scaling production of the terminals is also impressive.

justapassenger 4y ago
> How many other similar companies could successfully spin up a direct to consumer side business? They have span up direct to consumer business. It’s waaaay to early to tell if it’s successful. It’s burning tons of money as of today, and without it their main business (falcon 9) launches would be in decline.
- tuatoru 4y ago
  * "have spun" (past perfect/completed action). But kudos for not making "spin" a weak verb: "have spinned". The only complaints I have heard about Starlink are "it's taking too long! I put money down months/years ago and I haven't got a terminal yet!" User reports are uniformly of good to excellent service -- especially compared to the alternatives available in its intended service areas. My impressions are that if SpaceX were not supply constrained for its terminals, that $44M per month could be $220M per month at this point, and that there is room for another five-fold increase at least. Starlink has no direct competitors and a high barrier to entry into its niche. Projected steady state revenue seems to be well above steady-state cost, so I don't see why SpaceX can't continue to obtain funds for Starlink if it needs them.
  - justapassenger 4y ago
    You should hang out on r/starlink. There’re very happy people, but also lots of upset people, with horrible quality of service, and non existent customer support. Same with my friends - I have few happy ones, and one person who’s screwed and can only scream into void. Comcast support is world class compared to starlink. Let’s ignore that starlink has tons of competitors (hint, hint - other ISPs). There’re of course areas where they provide much better service than their local competitors, but it’s very questionable if remote areas have enough of wealthy people to pay for starlink, where no other competition will fight them. But even ignoring all of that - none of what you said means they’re successful business. It means they’re business, and as of today, they’re like Uber rides for $5 across whole San Francisco in 2015. They’re selling 1 dollar for 90 cents.
    - scaramanga 4y ago
      Don't worry, I'm sure the state will find some way to bail them out :)

by axg11 4y ago

justapassenger 4y ago

> How many other similar companies could successfully spin up a direct to consumer side business? They have span up direct to consumer business. It’s waaaay to early to tell if it’s successful. It’s burning tons of money as of today, and without it their main business (falcon 9) launches would be in decline.

tuatoru 4y ago
* "have spun" (past perfect/completed action). But kudos for not making "spin" a weak verb: "have spinned". The only complaints I have heard about Starlink are "it's taking too long! I put money down months/years ago and I haven't got a terminal yet!" User reports are uniformly of good to excellent service -- especially compared to the alternatives available in its intended service areas. My impressions are that if SpaceX were not supply constrained for its terminals, that $44M per month could be $220M per month at this point, and that there is room for another five-fold increase at least. Starlink has no direct competitors and a high barrier to entry into its niche. Projected steady state revenue seems to be well above steady-state cost, so I don't see why SpaceX can't continue to obtain funds for Starlink if it needs them.
- justapassenger 4y ago
  You should hang out on r/starlink. There’re very happy people, but also lots of upset people, with horrible quality of service, and non existent customer support. Same with my friends - I have few happy ones, and one person who’s screwed and can only scream into void. Comcast support is world class compared to starlink. Let’s ignore that starlink has tons of competitors (hint, hint - other ISPs). There’re of course areas where they provide much better service than their local competitors, but it’s very questionable if remote areas have enough of wealthy people to pay for starlink, where no other competition will fight them. But even ignoring all of that - none of what you said means they’re successful business. It means they’re business, and as of today, they’re like Uber rides for $5 across whole San Francisco in 2015. They’re selling 1 dollar for 90 cents.
  - scaramanga 4y ago
    Don't worry, I'm sure the state will find some way to bail them out :)