SpaceX, Pentagon Clash Over Starlink Pricing as US Military Drone Costs Nearly Double
Summary: Reuters reported on May 26 that weeks after U.S. military strikes on Iran, SpaceX executives negotiated with Pentagon officials to raise Starlink service fees for guiding LUCAS suicide drones from approximately $5,000 per terminal to nearly $25,000. The Pentagon ultimately accepted the increase, nearly doubling the cost per drone. Additionally, the two sides remain at odds over pricing for Starlink Direct-to-Cell service for Iranian civilians, with SpaceX quoting a $5 billion activation fee plus $100 million monthly operating costs.