wp-plugin-hostgator domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home4/scienrds/scienceandnerds/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114ol-scrapes domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home4/scienrds/scienceandnerds/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114Source: https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2022\/4\/8\/23016670\/starlink-spacex-us-government-terminals-funding-usaid<\/a> Despite SpaceX implying<\/a> that the US didn\u2019t give money to send Starlink terminals to Ukraine in March, a report from The Washington Post<\/em><\/a> reveals that the government actually paid millions of dollars for equipment and transportation. The report found that the US Agency for International Development, or USAID, paid $1,500 apiece for 1,333 terminals, adding up to around $2 million. USAID disclosed the number of terminals it bought from the company in a press release<\/a> from early April that has since been altered<\/a> to remove mentions of the purchase. <\/p>\n According to space reporter Joey Roulette<\/a>, SpaceX donated 3,667 terminals to Ukraine, or around $10 million worth, after also factoring in the three months of data it provided with the terminals. However, it\u2019s possible this donation was partially subsidized by USAID\u2019s $1,500-a-unit purchase. The Washington Post<\/em> says it\u2019s unclear whether Ukraine received standard terminals, which SpaceX currently charges $600 for, or the advanced terminals, which were announced in February<\/a> and cost $2,500. <\/p>\n Looks like USAID edited their press release and deleted the value of SpaceX’s donation, as well as the number of terminals the agency said SpaceX provided on its own dime. Here’s the previous version vs. current version: https:\/\/t.co\/ws1urZu4VM<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/1eZxfQ6DPA<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Joey Roulette (@joroulette) April 6, 2022<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n If USAID purchased regular terminals, it paid $900 over retail cost per unit (adding up to around $1.2 million) \u2014 notably, a recent report said that the terminals cost SpaceX around $1,000 to build<\/a>. It is possible that USAID was also paying for internet service, which costs $110 a month for Starlink\u2019s standard plan and $500 a month for its premium plan available with the more expensive terminals.<\/p>\n
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