I'm a bit sceptic about how many business models there are for large constellations. Imaging is something already well covered by others using very small, very cheap sats in very low orbits. Navigation is a given, too, because it's essentially available for free.Which leaves global networks based on LEO constellations, certainly a market and probably one that can take a new entrant. Much more cyclic than Elon's traditional government service business.
I'm not saying it's saturated but there's at least half a dozen imaging constellations being worked on. And that's not "old tech". You won't see a few hundred constellations, these things have network effects, too.Now, global communication networks, I agree there's a lot going to come here.But that's two business models. My main point was that I don't see too many additional ones for whole constellations. Of course, you often don't see business models coming but still, there's usually little _really_ new stuff coming.
He won't be able to stay out of the business of the operators when we talk imaging since most of the new entrant operators there are planning (or doing it) to build their own sats, vertically integrating themselves.
We need to wait until Friday for the official announcement and see what Elon really intends to do: is he going to enter the market in a triple quality of sats producer, launcher and operator or is he stlll into some kind of cooperation with Greg Wyler?[...]Friday could be the day of big news...
Here's a transcript of the Bloomberg interview.http://shitelonsays.com/transcript/musk-says-spacex-will-develop-satellites-in-seattle-2015-01-14By the end his words-per-minute were making my fingers sting. I think he's excited about the new satellite office.
Wondering if SpaceX will get in the ion/electric propulsion game for satellite boost like Boeing is doing. The technology could be helpful as a stepping stone for deep space.
It certainly should not be that surprising that SpaceX is entering this field:1. They already have experience now in building spacecraft (Dragon), even if not for long missions (yet)2. This is technology they need to master if they are serious about Mars.So why not?
I could be wrong, but I would think that "small" satellites would target lower orbits.