Ukraine’s digital minister has reported concerns about the country’s overreliance on Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system amid the war with Russia, The New York Times reports.

  • hglman@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Its only possible bc a launch is cheap enough for them to do it. Cost of of placing them in orbit is the whole reason there is a problem.

    • tagliatelle@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Yes, but that’s not because of reusability. They’re not at that stage yet (willl they ever?)

        • tagliatelle@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Yet the cost doesn’t go down. Spacex boss defined reuse as that the stage can be reused the next day with just an inspection. The reuse they avtually so is rebuilding it with the older parts. At least last time I checked the cost savings were just a few 10 % while they promised 90+

          Edit: did some more checking, and it appears third party(military and government) pay significantly higher launch costs ~100mill vs 60mill list price), so might be they’re subsidising the starlink cost by funneling money from the state.

          • DominicHillsun@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            Wow, I wonder why SpaceX which has a monopoly on reusable rockets are charging as much as they can from their customers.

            Lol, lmao even

            • glue_snorter@lemmy.sdfeu.org
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              1 year ago

              No-one is in the market for launch on a reusable rocket. They’re in the market for launch. The reusability is merely how spacex is undercutting the competition.

              Spacex in no way has a monopoly on launching payloads. You can launch from North America, Europe or Asia, if you’re willing to pay.

          • JohnDClay@sh.itjust.works
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            1 year ago

            Cost didn’t go down because there’s no competition. They’re just pocketing the extra money. Why would a private company charge even less for something they’re already the cheapest and best at? Why not make extra money?