Submitted by KotesFolly_ t3_11ee8a4 in space
Comments
Adeldor t1_jaewmj7 wrote
A few months ago I had a go at calculating the annual costs of the currently operating satellites. It doesn't factor in launch pad and other non-recurring and standing costs, but it does give an idea. I repeat it below:
- Currently ~3000 satellites at ~$250k each, and each lasting 5 years
- One Falcon 9 launches ~50 satellites, at a marginal launch cost of $15,000,000 (used booster + fairings)
So, total launch cost is:
- $250,000 * 50 + $15,000,000 = $27,500,000, or $550,000 per satellite
- The satellites last 5 years, so the per year cost is $110,000 per satellite
Thus, for all 3000 satellites, the current annual cost to build and launch is ~$330,000,000.
Of course, they're adding satellites, version 2 is coming out, Starship will reduce marginal launch costs by maybe an order of magnitude, ground operations and development costs are not included here, blah blah blah. Nevertheless, this might give a glimpse of the expense side.
Bewaretheicespiders t1_jae0xx8 wrote
Shotwell said they expect Starlink to become profitable this year. The Spacex launch cost for Starlink must be significantly less than what they charge for a flight to external clients, since they dont have the cost of dealing with the client, and taking their profit margin into account.
SharpShockDimonds t1_jaeamq7 wrote
I really hope it's never taken public. It would all go downhill.
zeeblecroid t1_jaeg4t9 wrote
Yeah, "IPO" and "company built around long-term plans" are mutually exclusive, especially nowadays.
SharpShockDimonds t1_jaep4hn wrote
It's sad and scary that things not having any public input are the more trustworthy organizations
zeeblecroid t1_jaes608 wrote
I wouldn't say "more trustworthy" as much as "less likely to be burned to the ground by equity firms and other next-quarter-only types."
SharpShockDimonds t1_jaesmj6 wrote
So more trustworthy. Being more likely to be burned to the ground by private equity sounds about as untrustworthy as you can get.
Bewaretheicespiders t1_jadri7k wrote
> we expect that a IPO scenario is likely over the next 18-24 months.
Is it the right market timing for an IPO though?
TimJoyce t1_jaf1c4k wrote
Companies seem to be betting on IPO window opening agaim late this year. If I’m not mistaken Reddit is aiming to IPO.
DBDude t1_jadsn35 wrote
Looks like Starlink revenue may slightly surpass launch revenue, but that Starlink program also has a massive cost, as it'll take up about twice as many launches as SpaceX is getting paid for, plus the cost of the satellites.