TechCrunch's weekly newsletter Max Q is all about space. Get Max Q weekly in your inbox by signing up hereIt's a space race at the highest level. There is also a commercial launch company in the games, and another that is preparing for massive production. Starlink also aims to be the stars, the stars here not going bankrupt.No one wanted to win the bragging rights war for billionairesRichard Branson's announcement last week that he would be flying on Virgin Galactic's next mission to low Earth orbit was a surprise to no one. It will be the first time that space tourism company has a full crew. Jeff Bezos will be flying in his own company's phallic reusable rocket to the top on July 20, so if everything goes according to plan, Branson will surpass him by just over one week.If you find it difficult to get excited about the two young men who are trying to become billionaires by spending a few minutes at an altitude that is technically space, congratulations! It is not something anyone should do, yet we are writing about it in a newsletter.These events are worth watching for their technical achievements and the teams who worked hard to ensure that either spacecraft can safely transport humans into space. The billionaires aboard the spacecraft are simply chattel, weight, and mass simulators that can provide an impressive, but not entirely perfect, simulacrum for a human passenger.Elon gets rare praises for not giving a damn about this bro off.Virgin Galactic and SpaceX deliverSpaceX and Virgin Orbit delivered payloads for paying customers this week. This is par for the course for both the former and the latter. However, it was a unique experience for the former. SpaceX launched 85 satellites for customers in its second official rideshare mission. Virgin Orbit launched its inaugural commercial mission after its demonstration launch earlier this season. It carried a number small satellites, including the first ever for the Dutch military.If Virgin Orbit is able to ramp up its operations in accordance with its plan, it's possible for a week such as this with multiple launches by a variety of commercial launch providers that can send small satellites up. Virgin Orbit now joins SpaceX, Rocket Lab as being able to fly in any given week. Other companies, such as Astra, which is now a publicly traded company, and Relativity, are also hot on their heels.Relativity has announced the construction of a 1 million square-foot factory to house its large 3D printers. This will allow them to increase production of their larger Terran R rocket. Although the company has yet not flown its Terran 1 spacecraft (3D printed), it is expected to do so in the coming months.SpaceX's Starlink terminal is more expensive than it is worthElon Musk was virtually present at the MWC conference in Barcelona, to discuss Starlink. When asked how success would look for the global connectivity service, he replied that they'd be happy if it didn't go bankrupt. If they can overcome that hurdle, they'll be able to think longer-term.Starlink has been unsuccessful in its efforts to replicate the success of other companies. He stated that Starlink has already invested between $5-10 billion and $30 billion over the long-term in the constellation and service. SpaceX is selling the modem kits and terminals that customers must purchase to connect at a loss because they cost over $1,000 to make.Starlink could provide a steady source of revenue and be more predictable than the launch business. However, it will take some time. It makes sense that Starlink is launching satellites at such high frequency. This company aims to have global coverage and a larger customer base.
