The Starlink SpaceX internet satellite project can demand an investment of $ 30 billion, Elon Musk has estimated, even though the company hopes it will stop losing money on each automatic tracking terminal the following year. Speaking as part of the 2021 cellular world congressional session, Musk acknowledged that it could be some time before Starlink changed positive cash flow.
This system uses satellite networks in low Earth orbit, known as constellations. It communicates with small satellite plates on the ground, which Starlink calls the terminal, and which automatically adjusts to maintain the visible constellation.
SpaceX currently sells Starlink Terminal for $ 500, part of the initial fee that must be paid by new registration. However, Musk admitted today, it was only about half of what the terminal was actually charged at this time. “We lost money in the terminal now,” said Musk, despite confirming that the newly updated version was in a pipe that could cut a half or more costs.
As for how much SpaceX had to pay to run Starlink as a musk imagining it, it could be anything from $ 20 to $ 30 billion. Potentially as much as a third of what needs to be released before Starlink is fully positive cash flow: which is not possible up to $ 5-10 billion in investment, Musk confirmed.
For that to happen, Starlink will need more satellites and significantly more customers. The first continues to use, despite the current transporter-2 launch – which will have a small number of onboard Starlink satellites – have been postponed until the weekend.
In addition, SpaceX is working on what is called the Musk as a Starlink Satellite “version 1.5”. That, said Musk, will use a laser-based link between satellites, for better connectivity. 2022 must bring model 2.0, with more improvements.
As for users, now Musk says there are around 70,000 who register, but it predicts more than 500,000 users in the next 12 months. Help will be planned for Starlink’s service expansion, which is currently offered around a dozen countries.
SpaceX has also explored partnerships with telecommunications companies, Musk confirms, with two agreed upon. But the billionaire will not be withdrawn in which companies, or where the countries they operate. The previous Starlink has been pitched as a way for operators to join Terrestrial networks together, as well as for rural services that are increasingly mandated as part of the licensing of 5G spectrum.
Starlink can also end the airline WiFi service, for flight onboard flight internet. The company revealed recently that it had already shown flight products, which he said could be ready to be placed immediately.
