Comment by ralfd
1 month ago
> and sucked in enormous subsidies to that end.
Starlink didn't get any subsidies. There were reports in summer about them potentially getting 600 Mio (btw the broadband program is 40 billion heavy) and I can't find sources that SpaceX got any program founding yet.
> Starlink didn't get any subsidies.
If you don't count the launcher it rides on, and the company that owns both.
Feel free to name the subsidies SpaceX received.
(No, "payment to launch this satellite" != "subsidy".)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2025/e...
You're correct that "we'll pay you to launch this satellite" isn't a subsidy. But "we'll pay you to develop this satellite launcher, and this cargo capsule, and this crew capsule, with the explicit goal of kickstarting a new launch provider" is.
Things like the EV tax credit also apply, considering Musk has leveraged his Tesla holdings to help SpaceX at times.
And to be clear: this was a very good use of public funds, whatever I think of Musk these days.
11 replies →