Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Did Google/Alphabet ever try to build a Starlink?

news.ycombinator.com

1–10 of 55 posts

Ask HN: Did Google/Alphabet ever try to build a Starlink?

#1
Seems like something like Starlink would have come out of Google/Alphabet, at least at first blush. They did have Project Loon (internet access via big balloons) and talked about space tethers/elevators.

Seems like a natural idea for (early) Google. Any insights into why nothing like it happened?

Re: Ask HN: Did Google/Alphabet ever try to build a Starlink?

#2
Rockets are just really expensive. It's hard to get stuff into orbit cheaply, and even now I wouldn't be surprised if Starlink is a net-loss product for SpaceX still.

Google's business strategy for the longest time has revolved around selling software services. AdSense, YouTube, Google Drive - all of these are services they can scale up by turning a knob and waiting for servers to spin up. Rocket science is a whole different ball game, and one that most businesses simply can't justify regardless of the scale they're at.

Re: Ask HN: Did Google/Alphabet ever try to build a Starlink?

#4
post #2

Rockets are just really expensive. It's hard to get stuff into orbit cheaply, and even now I wouldn't be surprised if Starlink is a net-loss product for SpaceX still. Google's business strategy for the longest time has revolved around selling software services. AdSense, YouTube, Google Drive - all of these are services they can scale up by turning a knob and waiting for servers to spin up. Rocket science is a whole d…

Any possibility of in future they can?

Re: Ask HN: Did Google/Alphabet ever try to build a Starlink?

#5
No. They could not even get fiber rolled out to the US. They started well but it requires immense power in local and federal level that takes decades (yes, decades) to accommodate.

Starlink would have then their focus out of search and AI which they clearly understand better and dominate.

Also, there is nothing innovative from Musk itself as far as starlink goes. More than half of research and implementation is funded by USG and Tax Payer funded rebates and concessions.

Re: Ask HN: Did Google/Alphabet ever try to build a Starlink?

#6
Starlink is a futurist project which is really what Elon Musk wants to be. For something like Google they wouldn't do this typically because as a company and their leadership they aren't futurists.

Google has typically invested in existing viable technologies and forced them into a lower price point to make them more available. Google fiber was introduced 14 years ago when that kind of speed was unheard of. At the time most ISPs wanted to have bandwidth caps and rate limits because they were afraid of people abusing the network. Google came in and showed that it was viable to do at a price point for the residential consumer. This forced the market to adapt. Google also had a similar program with cellular service as well.

Re: Ask HN: Did Google/Alphabet ever try to build a Starlink?

#7

No. They could not even get fiber rolled out to the US. They started well but it requires immense power in local and federal level that takes decades (yes, decades) to accommodate. Starlink would have then their focus out of search and AI which they clearly understand better and dominate. Also, there is nothing innovative from Musk itself as far as starlink goes. More than half of research and implementation is funde…

> Also, there is nothing innovative from Musk itself as far as starlink goes. More than half of research and implementation is funded by USG and Tax Payer funded rebates and concessions.

And the other half?

Isn't the system for delivering them to orbit at low cost an innovation?

Re: Ask HN: Did Google/Alphabet ever try to build a Starlink?

#8
post #7

No. They could not even get fiber rolled out to the US. They started well but it requires immense power in local and federal level that takes decades (yes, decades) to accommodate. Starlink would have then their focus out of search and AI which they clearly understand better and dominate. Also, there is nothing innovative from Musk itself as far as starlink goes. More than half of research and implementation is funde…

> Also, there is nothing innovative from Musk itself as far as starlink goes. More than half of research and implementation is funded by USG and Tax Payer funded rebates and concessions. And the other half? Isn't the system for delivering them to orbit at low cost an innovation?

Other half is funded by LPs. Yes, Musk is not putting his own money. He is the CEO but program is funded by LPs. I am not denying all innovation. Certainly, any joe-moe-schloe can't do it. But, talent pool is funded and operated in direct parternship with NASA scientists and staff. It's not that Starlink built it's own talent pool. My point is that he does not give credit whether it belongs and there are certainly more players in success of Starlink than Musk himself.

Re: Ask HN: Did Google/Alphabet ever try to build a Starlink?

#10

No. They could not even get fiber rolled out to the US. They started well but it requires immense power in local and federal level that takes decades (yes, decades) to accommodate. Starlink would have then their focus out of search and AI which they clearly understand better and dominate. Also, there is nothing innovative from Musk itself as far as starlink goes. More than half of research and implementation is funde…

Google Fiber's real purpose was to give large ISPs the kick they needed to take high speed fiber rollout seriously. And they (partially) succeeded at that, at least in urban areas.
Post reply on HN