The level of compensation is surprisingly high for each user of Starlink internet service

SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service comes at a price, and it’s not cheap. Users pay $ 99 per month and more, for first-time subscribers, they also pay an additional $ 500 for the installation kit, which includes a tripod, wireless router and a satellite pan to catch. internet waves sent by satellites.

Although SpaceX is producing quite a lot of equipment on its own, according to many industry experts, there is almost “no way” for SpaceX to produce these satellite pans for less than $ 500.

In fact, a source from Business Insider said that SpaceX may have to cover a loss of nearly $ 2,000 per satellite pan, but they can recoup these costs thanks to user subscription fees.

According to Business Insider, a few years ago SpaceX signed a contract with STMicroelectronics to manufacture these satellite pans.

“Production contract specifies 1 million satellite pans at a price of nearly $ 2,400 each.” This source said. “The initial roadmap of this production will end by the end of 2020, but it has been extended.”

The source also said that STM has agreed to pay the costs of setting up the plant. These expenses can reach many millions of dollars and SpaceX will have to reimburse these fees, plus other fees incurred, if the company does not purchase enough products committed.

About a while ago, YouTuber Ken Keiter posted a video dissecting Starlink’s satellite pan and found that there were several STM branded components, including a processor, GPS receiver and frequency components. radio number. Mr. Keiter also said that some of these components are manufactured separately and cannot be purchased from outside.

Satellite array on the satellite dish of Starlink

The main processor of the satellite dish is manufactured by STMicroelectronics

In Keiter’s video, an important component in this satellite pan is the phase-detection antenna array, allowing the pan to maintain an internet connection to the satellite without having to rotate in the direction of its movement. satellite. This is also one of the strong products of STMicroelectronics.

Elon Musk himself has said that Starlink’s “most difficult technical challenge” is to manufacture this satellite pan on a large scale and in particular make its price more affordable. In an interview with Aviation Week, Musk said that this challenge will take several years to resolve.

Perhaps this is the reason why, so far, almost every satellite internet company has been inevitably going bankrupt. Musk knew this better than anyone else when he announced earlier this year: “We are focused on keeping it from going bankrupt.” With the current loss premium, reducing the cost of those satellite pans is a key factor in Starlink’s mission.

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