4 ms·

You’re forgetting the part where they launch and operate thousands of satellites and many earth stations, as well as manufacture the user terminals. Oh and they

You’re forgetting the part where they launch and operate thousands of satellites and many earth stations, as well as manufacture the user terminals. Oh and they have to write the software that makes the whole thing work.

morphle 3y ago
"In May 2018, SpaceX estimated the total cost of designing, building and deploying the constellation would be at least US$10 billion. Revenues from Starlink in 2022 were reportedly $1.4 billion accompanied by a net loss, with a small profit being reported starting in 2023." [1]. Other estimates and other credible sources point out that SpaceX made adequate profits if you count the military and government subsidies[1]. Not only the Chinese government is deploying their own satellite internet, several other are too. Probably because its profitable. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink
- notquitetrue 3y ago
  Are you making an argument against supply and demand here? I’m trying to figure out what basic principles of economics I need to explain before I further engage.
  - morphle 3y ago
    I sincerely doubt economic principles where ever a concern [1]. I remember many rumours of Elon Musk in Moscow at the founding of SpaceX with former Pentagon people? Lots of other reports on military considerations of SpaceX. Hard to verify [2][3]. [1] https://spacenews.com/spacex-providing-starlink-services-to-dod-under-unique-terms-and-conditions/ https://spacenews.com/spacex-providing-starlink-services-to-... [2] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3082067/Russian-space-bosses-SPAT-Elon-Musk-tried-buy-rocket-persuading-build-new-book-reveals.html https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3082067/Russ... [3] https://spacenews.com/first-satellite-for-chinese-g60-megaconstellation-rolls-off-assembly-line/ https://spacenews.com/first-satellite-for-chinese-g60-megaco...
    - dotnet00 3y ago
      You're mixing up stories. Elon was in Moscow prior to founding SpaceX as he was attempting to purchase an ICBM to refurbish into a rocket to send a terrarium to Mars. He settled on founding SpaceX on the flight back because after the oligarchs lead him around a bunch with no intention of actually negotiating a sale, they straight up spat at him.
      - morphle 3y ago
        I was only vaguely alluding to the military background of Elon's contacts around the funding cycles of SpaceX. I'm sure we don't know the real story. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_D._Griffin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_D._Griffin [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_SpaceX https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_SpaceX

morphle 3y ago

"In May 2018, SpaceX estimated the total cost of designing, building and deploying the constellation would be at least US$10 billion. Revenues from Starlink in 2022 were reportedly $1.4 billion accompanied by a net loss, with a small profit being reported starting in 2023." [1]. Other estimates and other credible sources point out that SpaceX made adequate profits if you count the military and government subsidies[1]. Not only the Chinese government is deploying their own satellite internet, several other are too. Probably because its profitable. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink

notquitetrue 3y ago
Are you making an argument against supply and demand here? I’m trying to figure out what basic principles of economics I need to explain before I further engage.
- morphle 3y ago
  I sincerely doubt economic principles where ever a concern [1]. I remember many rumours of Elon Musk in Moscow at the founding of SpaceX with former Pentagon people? Lots of other reports on military considerations of SpaceX. Hard to verify [2][3]. [1] https://spacenews.com/spacex-providing-starlink-services-to-dod-under-unique-terms-and-conditions/ https://spacenews.com/spacex-providing-starlink-services-to-... [2] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3082067/Russian-space-bosses-SPAT-Elon-Musk-tried-buy-rocket-persuading-build-new-book-reveals.html https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3082067/Russ... [3] https://spacenews.com/first-satellite-for-chinese-g60-megaconstellation-rolls-off-assembly-line/ https://spacenews.com/first-satellite-for-chinese-g60-megaco...
  - dotnet00 3y ago
    You're mixing up stories. Elon was in Moscow prior to founding SpaceX as he was attempting to purchase an ICBM to refurbish into a rocket to send a terrarium to Mars. He settled on founding SpaceX on the flight back because after the oligarchs lead him around a bunch with no intention of actually negotiating a sale, they straight up spat at him.
    - morphle 3y ago
      I was only vaguely alluding to the military background of Elon's contacts around the funding cycles of SpaceX. I'm sure we don't know the real story. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_D._Griffin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_D._Griffin [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_SpaceX https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_SpaceX