SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service has been the subject of intense scrutiny and debate regarding its profitability and financial practices. Reports suggest that the company's accounting methods, described as more "art than a science", often omit costs of putting satellites in orbit, leading to questions about the service's financial viability. Critics, including StanphylCap, accuse Elon Musk of misleading the public about Starlink being in "profitable territory", potentially to enhance its attractiveness for an upcoming IPO. Concerns have also been raised about the use of Starlink technology by U.S. adversaries, with allegations of a black market that delivers the technology to them, despite Musk's denials. Investigations into the company's financials reveal that a significant portion of SpaceX's R&D expenses, which amounted to $661 million in 2019, were allocated to the Starlink and Starship programs, further complicating the narrative around Starlink's profitability.