Earlier this year, SpaceX has been bolstered Ukraine’s war effort with about 20,000 of its Starlink satellite-internet terminals. It cost SpaceX around USD 80 million and it will exceed USD 100 million by the end of the year.
SpaceX’s Starlink donations are costing the company $20 million a month. “In addition to terminals, we have to create, launch, maintain & replenish satellites & ground stations & pay telcos for access to Internet via gateways,” he said. “We’ve also had to defend against cyberattacks & jamming, which are getting harder.”
Now, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is saying his company cannot continue paying for the service. Musk said that the Pentagon should fund any future terminals and service, Musk wrote a letter in September 8 to the US Department of Defense (DoD).
The Hawthorne, California-based space company has been providing Starlink satellite internet terminals and services since last spring. Since then, the Starlink service has proven pivotal in Ukraine’s fight against Russia, as Moscow’s targeted attacks have destroyed regular cellular phone and internet networks there. Ukraine’s military uses the satellites to stay in communication, while organizing the fight against Russian troop incursions.
Based on what SpaceX estimates a USD 124 million cost for more terminals and ongoing service costs between now and the end of the year. A full year would cost around USD 380 million, according to the letter.
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