James Murdoch, the 53-year-old son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, holds a stake in SpaceX that could be worth up to $7.44 billion, according to calculations by Pitchbook senior research analyst Franco Granda. This potential windfall stems from approximately $120 million in private investments made between 2019 and 2020, a sum that eclipses his financial … Read more
SpaceX rocket launches frequently provide visible spectacles for residents across central and eastern North Carolina. Observers can often catch a glimpse of the rocket’s vapor trail shortly after liftoff, provided the launch occurs near the opening of its window. According to WRAL, the visibility of these trails depends heavily on the angle of the sun … Read more
Researchers at Boston University are proposing “StormWall,” a theoretical defense system that would use spacecraft to release plasma-forming material into Earth’s magnetosphere to reduce geomagnetic storm intensity. By increasing plasma density, the system aims to shield global power grids and satellite infrastructure from geomagnetic storm intensity, according to research lead Brian Walsh, an associate professor … Read more
Planned deployments of up to 1.7 million satellites could cause “devastating consequences” for astronomy, according to new research from the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The study, published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, warns that these massive constellations pose an “existential threat” to telescopes by making the night sky significantly brighter and obscuring celestial views. How many … Read more
Amazon has deployed 396 satellites into low-Earth orbit for its Project Kuiper internet service, reaching the threshold required to provide continuous connectivity across its initial target latitudes. According to Chris Weber, the company’s VP of business and product, this milestone keeps the firm on track for a mid-2026 commercial launch. The effort positions Amazon as … Read more
China has overtaken the United States in specific critical space technologies, including satellite-based navigation and anti-satellite weaponry, according to a report by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF). The Washington-based think tank notes that China’s rapid transition from state-led industry to a robust commercial sector has displaced Russia as the primary competitor to American … Read more
SpaceX’s recent stock market debut has triggered a intense debate over its multi-trillion-dollar valuation, with prominent investor Michael Burry publicly distancing himself from the volatility. While the company briefly pushed CEO Elon Musk toward trillionaire status, shares have retreated roughly 28% from their mid-June peak, according to data from Yahoo Finance. Burry, known for anticipating … Read more
SpaceX recently launched a test mission of its new "Starfall" spacecraft, a compact vehicle designed for microgravity research and rapid cargo deployment. The flight, which took off on a Falcon 9 rocket, was conducted under significant secrecy, with company officials abruptly ending their public webcast shortly after liftoff. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) filings, … Read more
SpaceX launched a demonstration mission for its Starfall program from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Tuesday, marking a move to commercialize in-space manufacturing. The mission utilizes a reusable, uncrewed capsule launched via a Falcon 9 rocket, designed to transport up to 2,200 pounds of materials to orbit for processing in microgravity and high-radiation environments … Read more
SpaceX is preparing to launch Starfall, a new reentry vehicle designed to manufacture pharmaceuticals and other high-value products in microgravity. The inaugural demo mission is scheduled for liftoff on Tuesday, June 23, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. According to regulatory filings, the uncrewed capsule marks the company’s formal entry … Read more