Re:SpaceX plans worldwide satellite Internet with low latenc...
by nickpsecurity on Thursday November 17, 2016 @11:10PM
(#12984271)
"This fleet is meant to be mass-produced and built to last a much shorter time, 5-10 years at most. I am very interested in just how low can they drive the cost of making a single satellite."
One of the best points in the discussion. This has potential to produce side-effects more valuable than whatever they were attempting to do. As in, they can fail in their overall goal but a ton of great things would come from success in this part.
Re:SpaceX plans worldwide satellite Internet with low latenc...
by deedub on Friday November 18, 2016 @07:09PM
(#12991098)
Interesting when you say "However, in more rural areas the satellite system can well end up the cheaper choice."
You mean a satellite system can well end up your ONLY choice. If you're rural there are no choices besides dial up and satellite. Satellite is a reseller selling hughesnet.
The interesting part is what building 4425 satellites does to the economics of making satellites. Right now, most satellites are one-offs, or at most made in a series of 10 or so, handmade to exact specifications for maximum reliability and built for 25+ year lifetimes. This fleet is meant to be mass-produced and built to last a much shorter time, 5-10 years at most. I am very interested in just how low can they drive the cost of making a single satellite.