Where's the government bailout in this transaction that would make this a relevant comparison?

▲ esseph 5 hours ago | parent | next [-]

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/01/starlink-demands...

▲ skywhopper 6 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Who is SpaceX’s biggest customer? And which industry are we being told by any number of governments around the world is the most importantly thing ever and must be subsidized and forced on people?

▲ andsoitis 6 hours ago | parent | next [-]

> Who is SpaceX’s biggest customer?

It is estimated that Starlink is, accounting for 70% - 80% of revenue. Sources: [1] and [2]

NASA is SpaceX's biggest external customer for rocket launch services.

Although NASA is SpaceX’s largest external customer for traditional launch services, the company earns far more revenue from Starlink customers (millions of subscribers). So overall Starlink itself is SpaceX’s biggest revenue generator and de facto largest customer segment.

[1] https://pestel-analysis.com/blogs/target-market/spacex

[2] https://londoneconomics.co.uk/blog/publication/crouching-riv...

▲ robocat 6 hours ago | parent [-]

From [2] (abridged):

  NASA contracts alone have exceeded $13 billion since 2015, with $1.1 billion expected for 2025.

  The U.S. Space Force awarded $845 million for 2025 and $733 million for 2024.

  Commercial satellite operators are estimated to contribute between $2.5 billion and $3 billion in 2025.

▲ 3 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

[deleted]

▲ adventured 6 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

SpaceX saves its biggest customer money by being the superior, cheaper launch option. The alternative was ULA, which was an extraordinarily expensive monster.

Please highlight the problems you have with how it pertains to this context, how the biggest customer is harmed.

What do you care if its private owners are willing to absorb the mess that is xAI?

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pelotron 6 hours ago | parent | next [-]

It might be less about caring and more about pointing and laughing.

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netsharc 6 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

[flagged]

	▲	randallsquared 5 hours ago \| parent [-]
		With that "we need more money" bit, you may be thinking of Boeing/ULA/Northrop. SpaceX famously is the major launch provider that doesn't do that.

▲ operatingthetan 6 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

There has been rumblings of speculation that when the AI bubble pops that the government will bail the companies out.