comment: >
  
  Not a bad idea.  Having means of communications are important to better defend itself against invader.
context: Not a bad idea.  Having means of communications are important to better defend itself against invader. >
  
  Not a bad idea for defense. A bad idea for astronomy and low orbit garbage. If every country/company starts doing this it'll get congested real quick. >
  
  Oops.  I forgot about that part. >
  
  This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 82%. (I'm a bot)
  
  
  Taiwan is working on its own satellite-based internet system, similar to Elon Musk's Starlink, amid fears of an invasion from China, the Financial Times reported.
  Taiwan's digital minister, Audrey Tang, told the FT: "We look at the Russian invasion of Ukraine and how Starlink has been used very successfully."
  Under the One-China policy, China regards the island as part of its own territory, even though Taiwan has been self-ruling for decades.
  
  
  Extended Summary | FAQ | Feedback | Top keywords: Taiwan^#1 China^#2 Starlink^#3 internet^#4 amid^#5 >
  
  Musk is under the CCP thumb also so can't trust starlink would be available when China makes its move. >
  
  In the event of war with China I think Musk would fall in line. His assets in China would likely be nationalized and he would have to choose the US or China. I think it’s pretty clear that while he needs China to make money, he doesn’t want to live there. >
  
  All Musk has to do is ensure starlink isn't useful about 3 weeks. Once China has blockaded the island they can choke it out. Musk doesn't have to side to lose his factories he just has to make sure its not useful during the critical first few days while Taiwan is on its own mostly and getting surrounded. >
  
  Also, the US military is a customer of Starlink. I’m sure they would strong arm SpaceX, and if not they would just provide access through the military contract. >
  
  As is any other country with an army having witnessed the paradigm shift on the battlefield Starlink brings. >
  
  We are gonna experience some cool Kessler syndrom at some point in the future. >
  
  Possibly, but not from starlink or any item at those orbit heights. >
  
  I mean a geostationary satellite would do just fine, I assume Taiwan doesn't have that much money to spend? >
  
  Single point of failure that's also significantly more expensive and difficult to do vs a cheap and easily produced swarm of devices. Once war breaks out there's not gonna be an easy way to get infrastructure like a satelite in any form of orbit without a third party taking over. 
  Unfortunately it has the side effect of increasing clutter in the sky, but IMHO it's currently way overblown than people make it out to be atm (but let's be real, eventually it'll be saturated if there's a legit market for it) >
  
  I'm not sure where you got the info tha GEO satellites are more expensive than LEO satellites though? >
  
  It's entirely dependent on how many LEO satellites would be needed. On a 1:1 basis though, GEO is more expensive. Larger satellites and several thousand miles higher elevation equals more $$$. >
  
  Another bunch of bullshit to look forward to undoubtedly. Taiwan is not the key to solving China's problems tho. In fact pursuing this "unity" might do to China what Russia has done to themselves in invading Ukraine. >
  
  China already coming up with space satellite destroying weapons >
  
  Problem is doing that and any shrapnel damages any other nations satellites, it's an act of war >
  
  There is plenty of room >
  
  You do not understand how orbits work or Kessler syndrome generally
  Starlink operates satellites at a level where if they fail, they'd fall out of the sky in a few years
  Any large constellation will run satellites in a similar orbit