[Bronze_Colossus]

That might be a possible future, but why is starlink required in that process? I can definitely see a future where we have space telescopes without giant satellite swarms obstructing the view from Earth.

[unchocked]

Because Starlink finances the development of cheap launch, a demand driver NASA can’t replicate.

[gammarator]

Does it, though? Is the total addressable market for internet access large enough to support Starship development?

[unchocked]

Yes - order of $30B / yr, larger than NASA budget.