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SpaceX Profitable as Musk Pulls in NASA Contracts, Google Cash

bloomberg.com

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Re: SpaceX Profitable as Musk Pulls in NASA Contracts, Google Cash

#21

Post by ChuckMcM »

mrfusion wrote: post #7
Animats wrote: post #5

If SpaceX can fly out their 2015 manifest, that will be impressive. This is the year the Falcon Heavy is supposed to launch. Their first manned flight has apparently been postponed; it's been "2-3 years" away for 2 years now.[1] I notice they've stopped putting dates on their manifest for future flights.[2][3] SpaceX is doing a great job, but they're behind their own schedule. They're two flights behind on ISS resupp…

How will the spaceport in Texas help?

They control scheduling and occupancy. That is an issue with a shared launch pad but not with one you own and can schedule.

Re: SpaceX Profitable as Musk Pulls in NASA Contracts, Google Cash

#22

Post by JshWright »

mtrpcic wrote: post #11
mrfusion wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How will the spaceport in Texas help?

The spaceport is being built specifically to accommodate SpaceX rockets. The idea is to have the rocket automatically fueled when it gets docked, use robotics to stand things up, and add a bit more automation to the overall process. There are a few articles about it online, but I just found this one from Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-07-11/elon-musks-f... It's not the be-all and end-all of spac…

All that automation you're talking about is at least a decade out.

The most important aspect of the new launch site is that it is simply another site they can launch from. SpaceX has the rockets, they just need a couple weeks between launches at the moment to get the launch pad squared away and prepped for the next launch. By adding a second site[1], they have double their throughput.

[1] Technically it's the third site, but Vandy is limited in what it can launch, as you can only launch into very high inclination orbits from there.

Re: SpaceX Profitable as Musk Pulls in NASA Contracts, Google Cash

#23

Post by rst »

mtrpcic wrote: post #11
mrfusion wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How will the spaceport in Texas help?

The spaceport is being built specifically to accommodate SpaceX rockets. The idea is to have the rocket automatically fueled when it gets docked, use robotics to stand things up, and add a bit more automation to the overall process. There are a few articles about it online, but I just found this one from Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-07-11/elon-musks-f... It's not the be-all and end-all of spac…

That's all speculation on the part of the reporter, and a lot of it is oddly ungrounded. SpaceX has already built its own spacecraft prep facilities and launch pads at its two existing sites (Canaveral and Vandenberg), which already are largely automated (you don't want humans anywhere near a fueled rocket!) So it's not like they needed their own site for any of that.

The one part of that speculation that is sourced -- different range safety systems once the rocket is in flight -- does deal with facilities that SpaceX shares with the Air Force and other launch systems (ULA Atlas launches at both sites, at least). But handling of the rockets on the ground is already completely under SpaceX control, and done entirely with their own purpose-built equipment.

Re: SpaceX Profitable as Musk Pulls in NASA Contracts, Google Cash

#24

Post by skadamat »

josephjrobison wrote: post #17

I love how the writer phrased Google's incentive for investing as "Google has a practical goal in linking up with SpaceX. It wants to beam the Internet to hard-to-reach regions of the planet so it can take in more advertising revenue." While... "'Space-based applications, like imaging satellites, can help people more easily access important information, so we’re excited to support SpaceX’s growth,' Google spokesman A…

Agreed, it's a bit silly to assume that all Google cares about is ad revenue. Plus, improving internet accessibility and making more revenue aren't mutually exclusive. Why do self driving cars? Def no ad revenue there.

Re: SpaceX Profitable as Musk Pulls in NASA Contracts, Google Cash

#26

Post by cryptoz »

skadamat wrote: post #24
josephjrobison wrote: post #17

I love how the writer phrased Google's incentive for investing as "Google has a practical goal in linking up with SpaceX. It wants to beam the Internet to hard-to-reach regions of the planet so it can take in more advertising revenue." While... "'Space-based applications, like imaging satellites, can help people more easily access important information, so we’re excited to support SpaceX’s growth,' Google spokesman A…

Agreed, it's a bit silly to assume that all Google cares about is ad revenue. Plus, improving internet accessibility and making more revenue aren't mutually exclusive. Why do self driving cars? Def no ad revenue there.

I agree with you completely until

> Why do self driving cars? Def no ad revenue there.

Sure there is. Many people commute in their cars for 1-2 hours per day, when it is illegal for them to look at ads on their smartphone. If Google makes this legal, it's another 10%ish increase in the waking hours that people may be clicking on their ads.

I think that Google's ambitions are a lot higher than this, of course. Self-driving cars will be a lucrative business for them in numerous ways. And increased ad revenue will be one of them.

Re: SpaceX Profitable as Musk Pulls in NASA Contracts, Google Cash

#27

Post by Animats »

mtrpcic wrote: post #11
mrfusion wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How will the spaceport in Texas help?

The spaceport is being built specifically to accommodate SpaceX rockets. The idea is to have the rocket automatically fueled when it gets docked, use robotics to stand things up, and add a bit more automation to the overall process. There are a few articles about it online, but I just found this one from Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-07-11/elon-musks-f... It's not the be-all and end-all of spac…

The location near Brownsville is amazingly similar to Canaveral. Tidal flats, ocean to the east, barrier island, similar latitude, hurricanes.

Re: SpaceX Profitable as Musk Pulls in NASA Contracts, Google Cash

#28

Post by quonn »

josephjrobison wrote: post #17

I love how the writer phrased Google's incentive for investing as "Google has a practical goal in linking up with SpaceX. It wants to beam the Internet to hard-to-reach regions of the planet so it can take in more advertising revenue." While... "'Space-based applications, like imaging satellites, can help people more easily access important information, so we’re excited to support SpaceX’s growth,' Google spokesman A…

Yeah, it's fashionable to point out that Google does what it does to sell more ads. But isn't this getting very boring? We don't hear things like "x is making a TV program to sell more ads" or "x is making a new car to take in more revenue".

Re: SpaceX Profitable as Musk Pulls in NASA Contracts, Google Cash

#29

Post by hnnewguy »

skywhopper wrote: post #9
pkaye wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Companies have multiple definitions of profitability which they use for the desired effect.

True, this is what the field of accounting theory is all about: how do you best represent the finances of a company? The best way to do so depends heavily on the type of company you're talking about and who wants to know the information, but many companies choose to keep multiple sets of books--one that follows the IRS's rules (this one is required), one that follows the SEC's rules (required if they are a publicly t…

>In any one month...

Pretty much everything you mention in this paragraph is covered by accounting rules a student would learn in year 1. Cash flow isn't profitability. Spending on assets is capitalized, and they depreciate according to rules, not what you "may want" to do.

Yes, there is always some leeway to play fast and loose with accounting, and companies are always trying "adjust" earnings to suit to their business model. 4 times out of 5, it's horsecrap. That's why we have GAAP.

Re: SpaceX Profitable as Musk Pulls in NASA Contracts, Google Cash

#30

Post by oddevan »

skadamat wrote: post #24
josephjrobison wrote: post #17

I love how the writer phrased Google's incentive for investing as "Google has a practical goal in linking up with SpaceX. It wants to beam the Internet to hard-to-reach regions of the planet so it can take in more advertising revenue." While... "'Space-based applications, like imaging satellites, can help people more easily access important information, so we’re excited to support SpaceX’s growth,' Google spokesman A…

Agreed, it's a bit silly to assume that all Google cares about is ad revenue. Plus, improving internet accessibility and making more revenue aren't mutually exclusive. Why do self driving cars? Def no ad revenue there.

Considering the source is Bloomberg, I'm assuming the author wanted to tie the satellite plans back to Google's core revenue stream.
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