Artist’s Impression of BepiColombo Spacecraft Near Mercury
Source: ESA/ATG Media Lab
In 2026, the highly anticipated BepiColombo spacecraft is set to orbit Mercury, promising to unlock the planet’s long-standing mysteries.
BepiColombo is a collaborative mission involving the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). This intricate mission includes the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (Mio), tethered to the Mercury Transport Module (MTM).
Since its launch in 2018, the MTM has made six flybys of Mercury, skillfully utilizing the planet’s gravity to facilitate its descent into orbit, a method pioneered by Giuseppe “Bepi” Colombo.
This mission has already gathered crucial scientific insights, including data about the solar wind and high-resolution imagery of Mercury’s surface. However, the MPO’s advanced instruments, including X-ray spectrometers, remain inactive due to obstructions by the MTM.
In September 2026, the MPO and Mio will detach from the MTM, embarking on their final descent into orbit, completing this phase by November when their focus will shift to detailed studies of Mercury.
According to Charlie Feldman, a researcher at the University of Leicester who contributed to the MPO’s instruments, “We’re hopeful that our equipment will function as intended. With the extensive time invested in building it, the excitement comes with a degree of anxiety.”
Alongside capturing intricate details of Mercury’s magnetosphere, the MPO will extensively map and analyze the planet’s surface using its spectrometer and other tools. “This represents the first X-ray imagery of an extraterrestrial surface,” Feldman noted.
Such observations may unravel enigmas surrounding the significant X-ray emissions detected from Mercury’s night side in prior missions. Additionally, the spacecraft will assess X-rays emitted from the sun-facing side, unearthing new insights into Mercury’s geological composition and evolution. “Deciphering how planets formed gives us a broader understanding of solar system dynamics,” Feldman stated.
Exploring Space and Astronomy in Japan: The Land of the Rising Sun
Experience Japan’s unique blend of astronomy and culture, featuring cutting-edge research institutes and breathtaking starry skies. Explore prestigious locations like JAXA Tsukuba Space Center, the Nobeyama Radio Observatory, and the Tanegashima Space Center, while marveling at the celestial beauty above the Japanese Alps and Yakushima.
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Tesla has introduced a more affordable version of its Model 3 in Europe, aiming to boost sales amid concerns over Elon Musk’s partnership with Donald Trump and a decline in electric car demand.
Musk, the CEO of the electric vehicle manufacturer, believes that this lower-priced variant, which was rolled out in the US last October, will stimulate demand by appealing to a broader audience.
The new Model 3 Standard is priced at €37,970 (£33,166), NOK 330,056 (£24,473), and SEK 449,990 (£35,859) in Germany. This release comes after Tesla’s successful launch of the affordable Model Y SUV in both Europe and the United States.
While the more affordable Model 3 and Model Y versions forgo some luxury finishes and features found in pricier models, they still provide over 300 miles (480 km) of range.
Tesla’s sales have decreased in Europe as it contends with growing competition from Chinese rival BYD, which became the first company in the area to outpace the U.S. electric car maker earlier this spring.
Additionally, buyer backlash against Musk’s support for Trump’s political endeavors has adversely affected sales across the EU.
Musk, who implemented significant layoffs while leading the Office of Government Efficiency, stepped down in May following disagreements with President Trump regarding the “big, beautiful” tax and spending legislation.
Furthermore, Musk has distanced potential clients through various controversial political actions, including a Nazi salute at Trump’s victory rally, endorsing Germany’s far-right AfD party, and accusing Keir Starmer and other prominent British politicians of concealing scandals related to gang raids.
Critics warn that a new tax on electric vehicles introduced in last month’s Budget could dampen demand in the UK. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), UK electric vehicle sales rose by only 3.6% in November, marking the slowest growth in two years.
Mike Hawes, CEO of SMMT, stated: “[This] sustained increase in demand for EVs should be regarded as a wake-up call that we cannot take this for granted. Instead of penalizing drivers, we must seize every chance to motivate them to transition to electric vehicles.”
The Chancellor’s forthcoming pay-per-mile road tax for EVs will impose a charge of 3p per mile starting in April 2028, resulting in an average annual cost of about £250 for drivers.
Roblox maintains that Australia’s forthcoming social media restrictions for users under 16 should not extend to its platform, as it rolls out a new age verification feature designed to block minors from communicating with unknown adults.
The feature, which is being launched first in Australia, allows users to self-estimate their age using Persona age estimation technology built into the Roblox app. This utilizes the device’s camera to analyze facial features and provide a live age assessment.
This feature will become compulsory in Australia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand starting the first week of December, with plans to expand to other markets in early January.
After completing the age verification, users will be categorized into one of six age groups: under 9, 9-12, 13-15, 16-17, 18-20, or 21 and older.
Roblox has stated that users within each age category will only be able to communicate with peers in their respective groups or similarly aged groups.
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These changes were initially proposed in September and received positive feedback from Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, who has been in discussions with Roblox for several months regarding safety concerns on the platform, labeling this as a step forward in enhancing safety measures.
A recent Guardian Australia investigation revealed a week’s worth of virtual harassment and violence experienced by users who had set their profiles as eight years old while on Roblox.
Regulatory pressure is mounting for Roblox to be included in Australia’s under-16 social media ban, set to be implemented on December 10. Although there are exceptions for gaming platforms, Julie Inman-Grant stated earlier this month that eSafety agencies are reviewing chat functions and messaging in games.
“If online gameplay is the primary or sole purpose, would kids still utilize the messaging feature for communication if it were removed? Probably not,” she asserted.
During a discussion with Australian reporters regarding these impending changes, Roblox’s chief safety officer, Matt Kaufman, characterized Roblox as an “immersive gaming platform.” He explained, “I view games as a framework for social interaction. The essence lies in bringing people together and spending time with one another.”
When asked if this suggests Roblox should be classified as a social media platform subject to the ban, Kaufman responded that Roblox considers social media as a space where individuals post content to a feed for others to view.
“People return to look at the feed, which fosters a fear of missing out,” he elaborated. “It feels like a popularity contest that encapsulates social media. In contrast, Roblox is akin to two friends playing a game after school together. That’s not social media.”
“Therefore, we don’t believe that Australia’s domestic social media regulations apply to Roblox.”
When questioned if the new features were introduced to avoid being encompassed in the ban, Kaufman stated that the company is engaged in “constructive dialogue” with regulators and that these updates showcase the largest instance of a platform utilizing age verification across its entire user base.
Persona, the age verification company partnering with Roblox, Participating in Australian Age Guarantee Technology Trial. They reported a false positive rate of 61.11% for 15-year-olds identified as 16 years old and 44.25% for 14-year-olds.
Kaufman explained that the technology would likely be accurate within a year or two and that users who disagree with the assessment could correct it using a government ID or parental controls to establish an age. He assured that there are “strict requirements” for data deletion after age verification. Roblox states that ID images will be retained for 30 days for purposes such as fraud detection and then erased.
Users who opt not to participate in the age verification will still have access to Roblox, but they will be unable to use features like chat.
More than 150 million people globally engage with Roblox every day across 180 countries, including Australia. According to Kaufman, two-thirds of users are aged 13 and above.
Blue Origin achieved a successful launch of its impressive New Glenn rocket on Thursday, transporting two NASA spacecraft en route to Mars. This marks just the rocket’s second flight, as both Blue Origin and NASA anticipate it will eventually carry personnel and supplies to the moon.
Soaring to a height of 321 feet (98 meters), the New Glenn rocket burst into the afternoon sky from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, initiating a lengthy journey for NASA’s twin Mars rovers to the Red Planet. The launch was delayed by four days due to inclement weather and a solar storm, which created auroras visible as far south as Florida.
In a significant achievement for the emerging company, Blue Origin successfully retrieved the booster after its separation from the upper stage and the Mars rover. This step is vital for cost reduction and reusability, mirroring SpaceX’s operational model. Company employees erupted in cheers as the booster landed upright on a barge 375 miles (600 kilometers) offshore, with an elated Bezos observing from launch control.
“Next time it’s the moon!” the employees chanted excitedly after the centerpiece of the booster landed. Twenty minutes later, the upper stage of the rocket deployed the two Mars rovers into space, fulfilling the primary goal of the mission.
The New Glenn conducted its inaugural test flight in January, successfully placing a prototype satellite into orbit, though it did not manage to land its booster on a floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean.
The twin Mars rover, named Escapade, will remain near Earth for a year at a distance of 1 mile (1.5 kilometers). Once Earth and Mars are ideally aligned next fall, they will utilize gravity assist from Earth to travel to the Red Planet, with an expected arrival in 2027.
During its orbit around Mars, the spacecraft will map the planet’s upper atmosphere and diffuse magnetic field, studying their interactions with solar wind. The data collected will enhance understanding of the processes driving the loss of Mars’ atmosphere and provide insights into how the planet transitioned from a wet and warm environment to its current dry and dusty state. Researchers will also investigate ways to protect astronauts from the intense radiation present on Mars.
“We are eager to gain a deeper understanding of how the solar wind interacts with Mars,” stated Escapade’s lead scientist Rob Lillis from the University of California, Berkeley, ahead of the launch. “Escapade offers a unique opportunity with two spacecraft operating simultaneously, granting us an unprecedented stereo perspective.”
This relatively cost-effective mission is budgeted at less than $80 million and is managed by the University of California, Berkeley. Initially slated for last fall, the launch of the Mars rover was postponed due to issues related to Blue Origin’s new rocket.
The New Glenn rocket, named in honor of John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, is significantly larger than Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, which caters to affluent passengers traveling to the edge of space from West Texas. Blue Origin is also set to launch a demonstration mission for its prototype lunar lander, Blue Moon, aboard New Glenn in the upcoming months.
Founded in 2000 by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin holds a contract with NASA for the third astronaut lunar landing under the Artemis program. In contrast, SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, utilized its Starship rocket—approximately 100 feet (30 meters) taller than New Glenn—to successfully complete the first two crewed lunar landings.
However, last month, NASA’s acting administrator Sean Duffy reinstated the contract for the initial manned moon landing, expressing concerns regarding the pace of progress on Starship’s testing from Texas. Both Blue Origin and SpaceX have put forth preliminary plans for landing.
Plans are underway for NASA to send astronauts around the moon early next year using its own Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, followed by the Artemis crew’s attempt to land. The space agency aims to surpass China’s mission and return astronauts to the moon within the next decade.
The European Union has initiated an investigation into Google Search amid worries that the US tech giant may be “downgrading” commercial content from news media platforms.
The enforcement body of the bloc announced this move after monitoring revealed that various content produced in collaboration with advertisers and sponsors was ranked so low by Google that it essentially vanished from search results.
Officials from the European Commission indicated that this potentially unfair “loss of visibility and revenue” for media owners could stem from Google’s anti-spam policies.
According to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which governs competition within the tech sector, Google is required to provide “fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory conditions for access to publishers’ websites in Google Search”.
Committee officials clarified that the investigation does not pertain to the overall indexing of newspapers or Google search coverage but focuses specifically on commercial content supplied by third parties.
Media collaborations with firms selling products and services, from seasonal items to apparel, are described as “normal business practices in the offline world” and should be supported in equitable online ecosystems like Google, according to the officials.
For instance, a newspaper may partner with Nike to offer discounts, but evidence suggested that Google Search “demoted the newspaper’s subdomains to the extent that users could no longer access them.” This situation would also negatively impact newspapers.
“We are concerned that Google’s policies do not facilitate fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory treatment of news publishers in search results,” stated Teresa Rivera, European Commission vice-president for clean, fair, and competitive transition policy.
In the upcoming days, authorities will request publishers to present evidence regarding the effects on traffic and revenue resulting from the alleged violations of fair practices, according to the commission.
Rivera further remarked: “We will investigate to ensure news publishers are not losing essential revenue during a challenging time for the industry and to make certain that Google adheres to the Digital Markets Act.”
“We are taking measures today to guarantee that Digital Gatekeepers do not unreasonably hinder the ability of businesses relying on them to promote their products and services.”
In response, Google has criticized the EU investigation as “misguided” and “without merit”.
The company shared in a blog post: “Unfortunately, the investigation into our anti-spam efforts announced today is misguided and risks harming millions of users in Europe.
“And this investigation is without merit. German courts have already dismissed similar claims, ruling that our anti-spam policies were effective, reasonable, and applied consistently.”
The policy is designed to build “trustworthy results” and “combat deceptive billing tactics” that “degrade” the quality of Google search results.
The EU stated it took these actions to safeguard traditional media competing in online markets, especially after President Ursula von der Leyen recently highlighted in her State of the Union address that the media sector is at risk due to the growth of AI and other threats to media funding.
Officials emphasized that the investigation is part of a “routine violation” inquiry and could lead to penalties of up to 20% of Google’s revenue, although this would only occur if Google is found to be in “systematic violation.”
Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., announced on Wednesday its plans to introduce robotaxi services on highways across San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. This marks the Google subsidiary’s inaugural effort to broaden its operations amid increasing competition in the autonomous driving sector, both domestically and globally.
Initially, Waymo will provide highway rides to select early access users. The company stated, “If the freeway route is considerably quicker, we can synchronize it with freeway travel to deliver a faster, smoother, and more efficient ride.”
Currently, Waymo operates in select areas of the San Francisco Bay, with plans to expand into San Jose, including the Mineta San Jose International Airport, which is the second largest airport in its service zone after Phoenix Sky Harbor.
This development comes as Tesla broadens its rob-taxi service with safety monitors and drivers, while Amazon-backed Zoox is providing complimentary robo-taxi rides around the Las Vegas Strip.
Waymo stands out as the sole company in the U.S. offering a paid robotaxi service with over 1,500 vehicles that operate without safety drivers or in-vehicle monitors. The company began charging for rides in Phoenix back in 2020, nearly 11 years after its inception as Google’s self-driving car initiative.
Over the years, Waymo has expanded gradually, but it, like its competitors, is currently under federal investigation for erratic driving behavior.
Although highway driving is generally less complicated compared to city navigation, it introduces a range of new challenges that require higher-speed maneuvering, such as merging and exiting. Self-driving cars find urban environments particularly tough due to numerous pedestrians, frequent intersections, and unpredictable conditions. However, errors or failures at high speeds on highways can lead to severe consequences. The company mentioned collaborating with local highway patrols and safety agencies to develop new protocols for highway travel.
While Tesla has long provided driver-assistance features on highways, this initiative positions Waymo as the first company to offer fully driverless operation on highways.
After successfully countering the US Department of Justice’s challenge regarding illegal monopoly in online searches, Google now faces another threat to its internet dominance in a trial centered around potentially abusive digital advertising practices.
This trial, which commenced on Monday in Alexandria, Virginia, focuses on the detrimental ruling by US District Judge Leonie Brinkema in April, who deemed certain aspects of Google’s digital advertising technology as an illegal monopoly. The judge concluded that Google’s actions were reducing competition and harming online publishers who depend on this system for revenue.
Over the next two weeks, Google and the Justice Department will present evidence in court and seek rulings on how to restore competitive market conditions, in what is being referred to as a “relief” trial according to Judge Brinkema.
As the Justice Department progresses, Brinkema has instructed Google to divest parts of its advertising technology. Google’s legal team argues that this could lead to “confusion and damage” to consumers and the overall internet ecosystem. However, the Justice Department contends that this is the most efficient and immediate approach to dismantling monopolies that have stifled competition and innovation for years.
“The goal of the relief is to take necessary steps to restore competition,” stated Julia Tarver Wood from the DOJ’s antitrust division during the opening remarks.
Wood accused Google of manipulating the market in a manner that conflicts with the principles of free competition.
“The means of fraud are hidden within computer code and algorithms,” Wood remarked.
In response, Google’s attorney Karen Dunn argued that the proposed government intervention was unreasonable and extreme, asserting that the DOJ aimed to eliminate Google from the competitive landscape entirely.
The Justice Department is “advocating for a solution that addresses a past overshadowed by technological advances and market shifts in digital advertising consumption,” Google’s attorneys contended during the trial.
Regardless of the judges’ verdict, Google plans to appeal any earlier decisions labeling its advertising networks as a monopoly, although an appeal can only proceed once a remedy is established.
This case was initiated under the Biden administration in 2023 and threatens the intricate network that Google has built over the last 17 years to bolster its dominant position in the digital advertising sector. Digital ad sales contribute significantly to the $350 billion revenue generated by Google’s services division for its parent company, Alphabet Inc.
Google asserts that it has made considerable adjustments to its “advertising manager” system, including more transparency and options for pricing, to address concerns highlighted in the judge’s ruling.
Google’s legal struggle regarding its advertising technology signifies another confrontation, following a recent case in which a federal judge condemned the major search engine as an illegal monopoly, leading to Remedy Hearings earlier this year aimed at combatting fraud.
In that scenario, the Justice Department suggested a strict enforcement measure that would mandate Google to sell its widely-used Chrome browser. However, US District Judge Amit Mehta opted for a more measured approach in a recent ruling that reshaped the search market, which is undergoing changes driven by artificial intelligence technology.
Google opposed all aspects of Mehta’s ruling, yet the outcome was generally perceived as a mere slap on the wrist. This sentiment contributed to a surge in Alphabet’s stock price, yielding a 20% increase since Mehta’s decision, elevating the company’s market valuation to over $3 trillion, making it one of only four publicly traded companies to achieve such a milestone.
With indications that the results of the Search Monopoly case could significantly impact advertising technology practices, Judge Brinkema has instructed both Google and the Department of Justice to incorporate Mehta’s decision into their arguments in forthcoming trials.
As seen in previous search cases, Google’s legal representatives have already asserted in court documents that the AI technologies applied by competitors in ad networks, like those operated by Meta, have transformed market dynamics, making a “radical” approach proposed by the Justice Department unnecessary.
Just before lunchtime on the third day, the line outside Elon Musk’s newly opened Tesla Diner in Hollywood had swelled to nearly 100 people.
This eatery is described as a “retro-futuristic” drive-in, offering high-end burgers alongside classic films projected on a massive screen while you charge your Tesla.
After much anticipation and debate, the diner suddenly opened on Monday at 4:20 p.m., reminiscent of a humorous quip from a stoner. Hundreds of enthusiasts queued to sample burgers served in cybertruck-shaped boxes and to snap photos of the Optimus robot dishing out popcorn from a sparkling, circular rooftop deck.
However, just two days later, the Tesla Diner experience felt less like a futuristic marvel and more like a lesson in how things can go awry. Various aspects were lacking, and the food was merely average, yet fans continued to form lines and make purchases.
On Wednesday morning, the queue to enter was quite lengthy, partly due to technical difficulties. The app designed for Tesla drivers to order from their vehicles was malfunctioning, leading staff to prioritize Tesla owners who needed to order inside. This caused non-Tesla drivers in the walk-up line to potentially wait 2-3 hours for their meals.
The robot is set to serve popcorn at Tesla Diner in Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday. Photo: Allison Dinner/EPA
We hoped to see some movement in the walk-up line, but only two families of Tesla owners returned to order from their cars. Even with the app’s issues, they would receive their food more quickly. This created a clear hierarchy: while everyone faced difficulties, Tesla owners were buffered from some of them.
For the rest of us, waiting in the hot sun didn’t exactly embody “retrofuturism.” It felt more like a mix of beautiful, Tesla-inspired, modern mid-century architecture combined with slow service. While a Star Trek episode played on a giant screen, the most entertaining sight was the parade of outfitted cybertrucks arriving and leaving. We counted at least six in neon orange with Texas plates riding on grand custom rims. I was documenting my observations on social media, but curiously, I didn’t see any anti-Musk protests planned for later in the week.
‘That’s Reality’
Musk’s special projects often emerge amid some confusion. Most recently, his efforts to disrupt significant portions of the U.S. government resulted in silence alongside the president he supported. He reportedly spent around $300 million on selective initiatives.
While Tesla fans are treated to premium burgers, managing an electric vehicle is considered much simpler than launching a space rocket, creating brain implants, or overseeing a social media platform devoid of hate speech or harassment. Chef Eric Greenspan, who partners with Musk in the diner, has noteworthy culinary credentials, advising businesses like Beast Burger and renowned establishments like Tartine Bakery.
Nevertheless, billionaire CEOs often make grand promises that frequently remain unfulfilled. This seemed to hold true even for the small burger joint.
You don’t need to own a Tesla to enjoy a meal here. Its allure clearly extends beyond Tesla drivers. On Wednesday, many individuals in the walk-up line arrived with young children eager to experience Tesla Diner after seeing it in videos online. While we waited, staff wearing branded shirts served us water and handed out paper menus.
Jake Hook, who operates a “diner theory” social media account focused on Los Angeles, described Tesla Diner’s menu as “eclectic.” It features options that mix “Libs Own the Libs” with “We Are Libs,” offering everything from a “magnificent bacon” dish boasting four types of bacon instead of fries to avocado toast and matcha lattes, even a kale salad served in cardboard cyber trucks. Welcome to Southern California.
Food from Elon Musk’s new Tesla Diner. Photo: Lois Beckett/Guardian
Hook mentioned, “Diners serve as a reflection of the community, and that’s not quite what we’re seeing here. It feels more like a diner-themed restaurant.”
Staff provided an update to diners in the walk-up line, letting them know chicken, waffles, milkshakes, and “recharged soda” with boba and cherries were unavailable.
“It’s getting better and better,” a man behind me sighed.
Josh Bates and his son Phoenix were visiting from Orange County. “We’re major Musk fans,” he stated.
Phoenix, who is 10, was thrilled to visit the diner. “I’ve never seen Elon Musk open a restaurant, so I just wanted to see what the food was like,” he shared.
However, after waiting 20 minutes without moving closer to the counter, Bates chose to look for lunch elsewhere. “It’s an epic opening; things happen,” he remarked. “That’s just how it is. They’re doing their best.”
Bates wasn’t alone in this sentiment. Ivan Daza, 36, a Los Angeles resident, mentioned he had waited two hours the day prior, only to find the Tesla diner kitchen closed. He returned the next day with his 8-year-old daughter, who was particularly eager to see the Optimus robot after watching videos. Unfortunately, it turned out that Optimus was not operational.
Daza expressed surprise at the array of kitchen issues. He expected a “Plan B.” Still, he appreciated the “experience” the diner offered.
The prices, while steep, were reasonable for Los Angeles. A burger, for example, cost $13.50 without fries. He chuckled recounting how long it took him to get his meal: “It was tasty.”
Tesla Diner food is presented in boxes shaped like a cyber truck. Photo: Allison Dinner/EPA
The interior design resembled a blend of Disneyland and fine dining; sparkling chrome, futuristic white chairs, and stunning lighting created an inviting ambiance. A curved staircase leading to a SkyPad showcased robots in a display case, while the actual kitchen appeared surprisingly low-tech behind curved chrome windows.
I stood in line for an entire hour to place my order. Finally reaching the register, I asked the staff what was actually available. She directed me to the screen, stating I would need to check there for options. Contrary to earlier reports, I was indeed able to order both chicken and waffles.
After a prolonged wait outside, my food arrived in about 10 minutes—far shorter than the feared 3-hour wait, yet still unreasonably long for any fast-casual experience. The waffles were disappointingly cold, with a Tesla Lightning Bolt logo, and while the fried chicken had a delicious crust, it too was lukewarm. The kale and tomato salad lacked adequate dressing, tasting oddly of dill. The generic cola tasted cheap and was served with a bamboo straw. That said, the food did come in an elaborate cyber truck box, which was quite fun.
Locals seemed to brush off the initial glitches at the new diner, while some tourists were less forgiving. Rick Ying, 32, visiting Los Angeles from China with his mother, stopped by for a “quick lunch” before heading to the airport, only to find it wasn’t quick at all. Both Yi and Yang expected to see the Optimus robot in action and hoped for a more technologically advanced experience but described it as just a “regular restaurant.”
“It’s okay,” he said while waiting for his meal. Once he finished eating, he stated that he liked the cyber truck box, calling it “the only thing worth it.”
Musk’s “Retrofuturism”
I took my meal to the upper level, Skypad, an outdoor balcony with a view of the recharged Teslas. The Twilight Zone played on two massive screens as I sat near those purchasing Tesla Diner merchandise: a $95 retro diner hoodie, a $65 Tesla salt and pepper shaker, and a $175 “Levitering Cyber Truck” figurine.
A large popcorn machine stood nearby; it seemed like Optimus was serving snacks on opening night. Earlier that morning, I noted Musk’s social media post claiming, “Optimus will deliver food to your car next year,” hinting at the robot potentially donning a “cute” retro outfit.
However, Optimus was nowhere in sight. An employee later informed me, “He’s not here today. Maybe tomorrow.”
A general view of Elon Musk’s new Tesla Diner in Hollywood, California. Photo: Aaronp/Bauer-Griffin/GC Image
“Can I still get popcorn if there’s no robot?” a woman asked.
“It’s probably old popcorn,” the employee regrettably replied.
Another staff member cautioned that I couldn’t take the same staircase I had used to reach Skypad. I will say that it consisted of plain flights of stairs lacking any high-tech embellishments.
Despite the company’s recent revenue and profit declines revealed in Wednesday’s earnings call, Musk touted the diner as a success, calling it “a sparkling beacon of hope amid a gloomy urban landscape.” (It sits near Santa Monica Boulevard, flanked by upscale art galleries.)
While reflecting on the “retrofuturist” experience while standing in line, I contemplated how well it aligned with the conservative political project Musk promotes. This ordinary diner unfolds in a future where electric vehicle delivery expands alongside ongoing public health crises.
To thrive in today’s U.S. landscape, compartmentalization must be exceptionally effective. I lifted the cardboard cyber truck lid, showed my colleagues the Tesla waffles, and continued with my day. There might not be immediate improvements, but hey, at least it was an experience.
sITS January announcement
Nintendo Switch 2 predictions are intensifying. This follows the incredible success of the 150m Nintendo Switch. Major console launches are now infrequent, marking the first since
2020 when Sony’s PlayStation 5 was released. Whether you’re contemplating a purchase or curious about the excitement, here’s everything you need to know.
Basics
Today, June 5th, the Switch 2 has been released, accompanied by the flagship game Mario Kart World for £395.99 ($449.99/€469.99) or £429.99 ($499.99/€509.99). True to its predecessor, it’s a portable gaming console with a built-in screen. You can play it as a handheld mini-console while on the go or dock it to connect to your TV using an HDMI cable for a larger screen experience. Unlike the previous 6.2-inch display, it now comes with upgraded Joy-Con controllers that are larger and more robust, featuring a bright 7.9-inch LCD touchscreen. These controllers attach magnetically to the sides of the screen and eliminate the troublesome sliding system that many users disliked. Additional large L and R buttons have been incorporated at the top—a small detail that’s crucial for anyone aiming to master a Mario Kart power slide.
Specification
Advancements in technology… Nintendo Switch 2. Photo: Nintendo
The Switch 2 is equipped with cutting-edge technology, featuring custom NVIDIA processors and a screen capable of 4K resolution (when linked to a compatible TV), or 1920×1080 resolution in portable mode. It also supports 5.1 surround sound and high dynamic range (HDR) graphical effects at frame rates of up to 120Hz. This places the Switch 2 in a competitive position against other modern consoles. Experts suggest its technical specifications fall between the PS4 and PS5, or the Xbox One and Xbox Series X.
In the Box
The Nintendo Switch 2 package includes the console itself, two Joy-Con controllers, a power adapter and USB-C charging cable, a dock, a Joy-Con grip (which allows you to combine two Joy-Cons to form a traditional game controller), and two wrist straps to prevent accidental drops.
Out of the Box
Nintendo has significantly enhanced the social features of the console. The Game Share feature allows you to enjoy games with others who don’t own a copy. You need only your Switch or Switch 2 to play together, either in person or online. This is particularly useful for families sharing a single copy of a game. GameChat functions similarly to Zoom, but for gaming: you can invite multiple friends into group video chat sessions to converse while playing the same game, different games, or just hanging out. If you purchase a Nintendo Switch 2 camera, you can even see each other’s video feeds on the screen. Please note, GameChat requires a subscription to Nintendo’s online gaming service.
Games
Exciting News… Mario Kart World Game. Photo: Nintendo
The console will launch with approximately 25 games, many of which are enhanced versions of existing Switch titles. Notably, the big arrival is Mario Kart World, an open-world iteration of the classic kart racing franchise. Other introductory games include Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, Cooperative Survival Challenge Survival Kids, and anti-gravity racers High Speed Fusion. Popular titles such as Fortnite, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Legend of Zelda: The Kingdom’s Tears/Tears of Tears will also be present. Most games are priced between £45 and £70, and are available for online download or as physical copies. Additionally, you can enjoy nearly any older Switch game on the new console, along with an extensive collection of 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s retro classics from NES, Nintendo 64, SNES, and GameCube.
Accessories
Add-ons: Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller and camera. Photo: Nintendo
There are three accessories you’ll want to consider: the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller,
a conventional joystick designed for serious gamers, and the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera
that pairs with GameChat services and games using camera functionality. You can also expand your game’s storage with a MicroSD Express card.
Where Can I Buy One?
If you missed the pre-orders, patience is key while you shop. Larger retailers like Amazon, Argos, Currys, and John Lewis might have stock today, so consider checking Nintendo’s online store. Exercise caution when purchasing from private sellers on eBay or similar platforms, as many scams are prevalent. Remember the incidents where people discovered that PlayStation 5 deliveries were filled with rice bags instead?
The rocket carrying the initial batch of Amazon satellites, set to rival Elon Musk’s Starlink, faced weather-related delays on Wednesday, causing a setback in the Project Kuiper network.
The United Launch Alliance (ULA), a partnership between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, cited challenging weather conditions like cumulus clouds and strong winds that made it unsafe for liftoff at the scheduled time of 7pm (2300 GMT) from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
ULA emphasized the dangers of cumulus clouds for rocket launches due to the potential for lightning strikes.
Live video footage showed the Atlas V Rocket releasing steam as it waited to launch 27 Project Kuiper satellites.
Similar to Starlink, Project Kuiper aims to provide internet access to remote areas, including regions affected by disasters or conflicts.
These satellites, once in orbit, will form the backbone of Project Kuiper, which Amazon plans to expand with over 3,200 satellites.
Amazon, led by Jeff Bezos, intends to launch its internet service later this year, promising competitive pricing in line with its reputation as a cost-effective retailer.
This launch puts Amazon in direct competition with SpaceX’s Starlink and other satellite internet providers.
SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, launched its initial batch of over 6,750 operational Starlink satellites in 2019, establishing itself as a major player in the industry with millions of customers globally.
Unlike traditional internet services that rely on satellites stationed 35,000 km above Earth, Musk and Bezos opt for low Earth orbits between 550-1,300 km for faster data transmission to unserved areas.
Amazon notes the challenges of traditional connectivity in remote regions, making satellite-based solutions more attractive.
While low Earth orbits enhance data transmission speed, the coverage area is limited, necessitating more satellites for global reach.
Amazon sees this as a lucrative opportunity to compete against established players in the satellite internet market.
The company plans to ramp up satellite launches in collaboration with ULA, Blue Origin (Bezos’ space venture), and even SpaceX, with over 80 flights ordered.
As more satellites are deployed in low Earth orbits, competition in the sector intensifies, with players like OneWeb, Guwan, and Starlink vying for market share.
Concerns about satellite congestion and collisions raise questions about the impact of commercial satellite ventures on space activities and astronomy.
The involvement of private entities in space operations also sparks political debates, especially given Musk’s advisory role in the Trump administration.
Following a helicopter collision with a Washington passenger jet, 67 people lost their lives in January, waking Joe Ellis up to a flurry of text messages two days later.
Ellis, a transgender helicopter pilot for the Virginia Army National Guard, found herself at the center of a social media frenzy where she was wrongly identified as the pilot involved in the crash. Online mobs tied the incident to diversity initiatives due to Ellis being transgender.
To debunk the false claims, Ellis posted a “Proof of Life” video on Facebook, reassuring everyone of her well-being despite the rumors swirling around her.
“At that moment, my life turned upside down,” Ellis shared in an interview. She recounted how her employer provided armed guards for her family’s protection, and she felt the stigma of being labeled as ‘that transterrorist’ for the rest of her life.
In response to the false allegations, Ellis filed a defamation lawsuit against Matt Wallace, a prominent influencer with millions of followers, for spreading misinformation about her.
After Ellis’s video gained traction online, Wallace deleted the posts related to her and issued an “important update” clarifying that she was not involved in the helicopter collision.
The lawsuit accuses Wallace of launching a damaging and irresponsible campaign against Ellis. Her lawyers have filed the case in the U.S. District Court in Colorado, seeking financial damages from Wallace.
Wallace has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.
The legal action against influencers and creators for spreading false information online is gaining momentum as a way to combat misinformation in the digital age.
Ronell Andersen Jones, a law professor at the University of Utah, highlighted the growing trend of honor loss lawsuits, like the one filed by Ellis. These legal actions aim to restore a person’s reputation and combat social falsehoods.
Recent successful honor loss cases against major entities, such as Dominion and Alex Jones, have paved the way for similar action against individuals like Wallace.
Ellis’s lawsuit was supported by the Equality Legal Action Fund, a group of volunteer lawyers advocating for LGBTQ rights.
Challenges such as constitutional hurdles and free speech laws complicate honor loss lawsuits. Proving intentional and malicious intent behind spreading false information is crucial in such cases.
Ellis expressed her intention to donate any financial compensation she receives to the families of the crash victims.
She emphasized the consequences of freedom of speech and the impact it can have, especially when false information incites online mobs. The speculation linking the transgender pilot to the crash emerged as a conspiracy theory shortly after the incident.
Despite the challenges, Ellis remains determined to seek justice and hold those accountable for spreading harmful misinformation online.
SpaceX is set to launch the Starship Megarocket on its upcoming test flight on Monday, approximately six weeks after the top stage of the vehicle exploded over the Atlantic during its final test.
Following the incident on January 16th, SpaceX lost contact with Starship about eight minutes after the flight, leading to subsequent explosions that scattered debris and small fragments near Turks and Caicos. Local authorities confirmed no injuries occurred.
The US Federal Aviation Administration initiated an investigation after the accident and grounded the rocket during the probe. On Friday, the agency announced clearance for the spaceship to resume flights, although the investigation remains ongoing.
SpaceX’s own investigation identified the “attic” section as the source of the leak that caused propellant to escape, triggering a fire and shutting down most of the spacecraft’s engines in a controlled sequence.
Strips of the recent SpaceX launch dotted the sky on January 16th. Courtesy Todd Martin
Data transmission ceased over eight minutes into the test flight, resulting in the vehicle disintegrating three minutes later.
Subsequent to the incident, SpaceX implemented several hardware and operational modifications to Starship’s upper stage, without disclosing specific details of the upgrades.
The eighth test flight for Starship, originally planned for Friday, encountered brief delays without explanation.
The FAA green-lit the flight, amidst broader fiscal and personnel reductions targeting various federal agencies during the Trump administration’s tenure. Reuters reported that the Government Efficiency Bureau, spearheaded by SpaceX’s Elon Musk, engaged with the FAA, with SpaceX engineers assisting as specialized government personnel.
The existence of Doge personnel within the FAA’s commercial spaceflight division overseeing private companies like SpaceX remains undocumented, prompting some lawmakers and critics, including Senator Ed Markey, to voice reservations regarding potential conflicts of interest.
The planned Monday launch aims to deploy four mock Starlink satellites mid-flight, marking the first payload release by the vehicle.
Upon separation from the second stage, Starship’s first Hull King stage is slated to return to the launch pad, where SpaceX intends to “catch” it using extensive mechanical equipment at the rocket’s launch tower. This stage was successfully retrieved during the January flight, signaling partial testing success for the company.
The catch maneuver is pivotal in SpaceX’s ambition to establish Starship as a fully reusable rocket system.
If the launch proceeds as planned, the upper stage will soar for about an hour on Monday before splashing down in the Indian Ocean off Western Australia.
Standing at 400 feet tall, the spacecraft constitutes the most potent rocket ever developed, comprising a super-heavy first-stage booster and an upper-stage spaceship.
Envisioned to play a crucial role in NASA’s moon missions, SpaceX has been selected by the agency to ferry astronauts during the Artemis III mission scheduled for 2027. Musk hinted at potential application for future Mars missions utilizing the spacecraft.
The new NASA Space Observatory is set to launch into orbit on Thursday with a crucial mission to map over 450 million galaxies.
The Spherex mission, short for the spectrophoton meter of space history, reionization epoch, and Ice Explorer history, will map the entire sky four times over two years, giving scientists the chance to study galaxy formation and uncover insights into the universe’s evolution.
“That’s going to answer the fundamental question: how did we get here?” Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA headquarters, stated in a recent news briefing.
Spherex is scheduled to be launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 10:09 pm on Thursday.
The cone-shaped spacecraft will be launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket along with four suitcase-sized satellites deployed simultaneously for another NASA mission to study the sun.
A spacecraft preliminary design that includes a hexagonal solar shield to help keep your instrument cool. NASA / JPL-Caltech
The $488 million Spherex mission has been in development for approximately 10 years. According to NASA, it aims to map objects using 102 infrared colors and light.
Infrared technology allows scientists to see through dust and gas, observing some of the oldest stars and galaxies in the universe. By utilizing spectroscopy, scientists can analyze the composition, density, temperature, and movement of celestial objects.
The Spherex Observatory employs spectrometers to explore the sky in three dimensions and study hundreds of millions of galaxies’ properties, as stated by Jamie Bock, a lead investigator at the Spherex mission and a physics professor at the California Institute of Technology.
Bock mentioned that these observations could provide insights into galaxy formation and allow researchers to examine the origins of water and other organic materials in the Milky Way galaxy.
“When you dissect light, you can determine the galaxy’s distance, construct a three-dimensional map, and identify the water fingerprint,” Bock explained.
Unraveling the origins of water can enhance scientific understanding of life’s evolution on Earth and possibly reveal clues about vital life components elsewhere in the galaxy.
“This new capability can lead to discoveries or surprises,” Bock added.
By mapping the celestial sky, the Spherex mission addresses one of astronomy’s enduring mysteries: The Big Bang that Created the Universe approximately 13.8 billion years ago.
One theory proposed in the late 1970s and early 1980s suggests the universe experienced a staggering trillion-fold expansion in the first fraction of a second post-big bang. Known as cosmic inflation, this theory aims to explain the universe’s curved geometry, structure formation, and rapid expansion.
However, astronomers have grappled with connecting the driving force behind this cosmic inflation and why it occurred. By meticulously mapping hundreds of millions of galaxies, the Spherex mission can test theories in new ways, aiding scientists in refining the physics underlying the universe’s inflation and rapid expansion.
“What Spherex does is test specific inflation models by tracking hundreds of millions of galaxies in three dimensions,” Brock noted.
Domagal-Goldman expressed that the Spherex Mission’s exploration of galaxies, cosmic inflation, and the universe’s origins could deepen human comprehension of basic physics.
“We are fortunate to live in an era where we can uncover answers about the universe’s long narrative of human existence on this planet,” he remarked.
Blue Origin’s massive New Glenn rocket successfully launches from Florida on its inaugural space mission. This marks a significant milestone for Jeff Bezos’ space company as it ventures into Earth orbit to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the satellite-launching industry.
The 30-story New Glenn features a reusable first stage powered by liquid oxygen and methane. Despite cloudy skies, the rocket lifted off for the second time this week at around 2 a.m. ET (7 a.m. GMT) from the Blue Origin launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The first launch attempt was postponed on Monday due to ice accumulation on the propellant lines. However, on Thursday, the company confirmed a smooth launch without any issues.
The company’s live stream captured the enthusiasm of hundreds of employees gathered at Blue Origin’s headquarters in Kent, Washington, and the Cape Canaveral rocket factory in Florida for the momentous launch.
Spectators on Florida’s East Coast cheered and witnessed the launch from parks and campgrounds located miles away from the launch pad.
This mission represents a culmination of a decade-long, multibillion-dollar development effort. It included a successful landing of New Glenn’s first stage booster on a fairing barge in the Atlantic Ocean just 10 minutes after liftoff, along with efforts to propel the second stage towards orbit.
Safety secured within New Glenn’s payload bay is the first prototype of Blue Origin’s Blue Ring spacecraft—a maneuverable spacecraft designed for the Department of Defense and commercial use, set to be sold to a customer.
Achieving the deployment of a spacecraft into its intended orbit on the initial rocket launch is a rare accomplishment in the space industry.
December 2024 Starship rocket preparing for seventh flight
space x
SpaceX's next Starship test flight will be its most ambitious yet, and for the first time will include a new “Block 2” version with a number of design updates.
What is a starship?
Starship is the most powerful rocket ever flown. SpaceX aims to develop the vehicle into a quickly reusable vehicle that can carry large payloads into orbit, land on Earth, and launch another mission within hours.
It's a bit confusing, but Starship is the name given to both the entire spaceship, which consists of a super heavy booster and the ship it launches, as well as a single ship once separated from the booster.
SpaceX is rapidly iterating on both Super Heavy and Starship, taking a Silicon Valley approach to design that considers regular testing and dramatic failures simply part of the process. However, this will be the first test of the so-called Block 2 Starship upper stage.
What's new in Starship Block 2?
the company says on the website Starship's electronics have been “completely redesigned” and now include more than 30 cameras. It also has 25% more propellant, is 3.1 meters taller, and has repositioned front flaps.
Also included for the first time is an early version of the pin needed to be captured and reused in ground towers. However, SpaceX currently only has one tower that is used to capture boosters, so there will be no attempt to capture Starships for reuse this time. A second tower is under construction.
What does a test flight involve?
SpaceX expects the upper stage to reach space, complete a partial orbit around Earth, safely re-enter the atmosphere, and fall in a controlled manner into the Indian Ocean. The Super Heavy's first stage must return to the launch site and be captured by the launch tower's mechazilla or “chopstick” arm. If successful, this will be the second capture.
The launch marks a milestone for SpaceX as it marks the first time Starship hardware will be reused. One of the Super Heavy's 33 Raptor engines was previously used on Starship's fifth test flight. This was the only test to date in which the booster was safely returned, so it was the company's first opportunity to reuse something.
Another first is Starship's deployment of 10 fake Starlink satellites. These mock satellites are comparable in size and weight to the company's upcoming third-generation Internet Beam hardware and will test Starship's ability to safely launch payloads into orbit. Previous Starship flights have never carried a payload. Toy bananas carried on Flight 6.
A number of other smaller tests will be performed during the seventh flight to provide engineers with valuable data. For example, one of the Starship's Raptor engines was scheduled to be reignited in space, and some heat-resistant tiles were removed as a test. Several types of new thermal tiles are also being tested, including those with active cooling capabilities.
According to several NOTAMs (Notifications to Airmen – Warning Pilots of Unusual or Potentially Hazardous Activities) issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration, the launch slot given to the company is mid-January 10th. It starts at 4pm standard time (10pm UK time).
The launch period runs until January 16, giving the company some leeway in the event the launch is postponed due to technical issues or bad weather.
Like all Starship launches, Flight 7 will lift off from SpaceX's property in Boca Chica, Texas, and will be streamed live online.
What happened on previous Starship launches?
During the first test flight on April 20, 2023, three of the 33 engines in the booster stage failed to ignite. The rocket then lost control and self-destructed.
During the second test flight on November 18, 2023, the flight progressed further, gaining enough altitude to separate the booster and upper stage as planned. The booster stage ultimately exploded before reaching the ground, and the upper stage self-destructed before reaching space.
Test Flight 3 on March 14, 2024 was at least partially successful as the upper stage reached space again, but it did not return to Earth unscathed.
The next flight was on June 6, when the upper stage reached an altitude of more than 200 kilometers and flew at speeds of more than 27,000 kilometers per hour. Both the booster and upper stage completed a soft landing at sea.
In Test Flight 5, the superheavy booster dropped onto the launch pad and landed safely on SpaceX's launch tower, known as Mekazilla, supported by “chopsticks.”
During Test Flight 6, Starship reached an altitude of 228 kilometers and splashed down in the Indian Ocean. Super Heavy aborted its landing on the launch tower due to a communications failure and instead made a controlled water landing in the Gulf of Mexico.
The coming year is expected to be filled with ambitious space missions.
Multiple robotic landers are expected to be launched to the moon in the coming weeks or months.
China and India also each hope to achieve new milestones in space later this year.
From robotic expeditions to the moon to new observatories in space and rendezvous with asteroids, 2025 promises to be full of ambitious space exploration.
NASA and U.S. commercial space companies aren’t the only ones busy. Launch plans planned for this year include potential milestones in China, Japan and India.
Here are some of the biggest upcoming space missions.
Moon fever continues
In 2025, the moon will once again be in the spotlight.
Later this month, SpaceX rockets are scheduled to launch two new missions to the moon. One, a lander called Blue Ghost developed by Texas-based company Firefly Aerospace, is intended to spend about two weeks collecting scientific data on the moon. The second is a privately built Japanese lunar lander with an attached small rover.
The Blue Ghost attempts to land on a region of the moon known as the Moon.Mare Crisium is thought to be the site of an ancient asteroid impact.
The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services Initiative. The space agency has signed contracts with three private companies, including Firefly Aerospace, to transport scientific experiments, technology and other cargo to the moon’s surface. The effort is part of NASA’s larger Artemis mission, which aims to eventually return humans to the moon. The Blue Ghost mission will carry out 10 NASA science and technology experiments.
Riding into orbit on the same rocket booster will be a resilient lander developed by a Japanese company called ispace and the Tenacious “micro rover.” It aims to take a longer route to the moon, consuming less energy than the Blue Ghost, and land on the lunar surface approximately four to five months after launch.
The touchdown target is located in the far north of the moon, in an area called Mare Frigoris.
iSpace’s bid to become the first private company to land a spacecraft on the moon ended in disappointment last year. The company’s lander, Hakuto, accelerated unexpectedly during its descent and crashed onto the lunar surface.
A third lunar launch by the company, which was the first to land a privately built ship on the moon, could also take place this month.
Texas-based Intuitive Machines also won a contract under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. Last year, the company’s lander became the first American vehicle to land on the moon in more than 50 years. The company aims to send its next-generation lander to the moon’s south pole on another SpaceX rocket in the coming weeks.
The mission will include a drill to extract lunar soil and a robot that will hop into nearby craters to take images and perform scientific experiments.
Exploring the origin of the universe
NASA aims to launch the SPHEREx mission, a space observatory designed to map the entire sky in optical and near-infrared light, in late February.
The SPHEREx observatory is shown in a horizontal position, showing its telescope and three-layer photon shield.BAE Systems / NASA
The spacecraft will observe more than 100 million stars in the Milky Way and collect data on more than 450 million other galaxies.
As part of its planned two-year mission, the observatory will also search for signs of life as we know it, such as water and organic molecules, in the Milky Way. Experts hope the expedition will provide insight into how galaxies form and how the universe came into being.
Two NASA astronauts finally return home
Two NASA astronauts stranded on the International Space Station since a problem aboard their Boeing spacecraft in June are finally scheduled to return home in March.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on the International Space Station.NASA
Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were launched to the ISS on the first manned flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The original plan was for the two to spend about a week on the space station, then return to Earth on the Starliner. However, the capsule encountered fuel leaks and thruster problems, so NASA opted to leave Williams and Wilmore in orbit and return the spacecraft unmanned.
They will have spent more than nine months in space before returning to Earth in a SpaceX capsule with two other space station crew members.
India’s spaceflight ambitions
India is poised to make major strides in its human spaceflight program this year.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) astronaut Shubhansh Shukla will fly to the International Space Station on a commercial mission run by Texas-based startup Axiom Space.
The launch, expected by spring at the earliest, will include government-backed crew members from Poland and Hungary. The crew will spend up to 14 days on the ISS.
Meanwhile, India is also working on developing its own manned spacecraft, aiming to launch its first one in 2026.
A new private space station?
California-based startup Vast plans to launch its first commercial space station into orbit this year. The civilian outpost, called Haven-1, is scheduled to launch by August on a SpaceX rocket.
Haven-1 is designed to accommodate four astronauts on missions of up to 30 days. The space station will initially function as an independent outpost, but Vasto plans to eventually connect it to a larger module in development.
In partnership with SpaceX, Vast intends to someday launch a crewed mission to the Haven-1 outpost, but the company has not yet announced a target date for that launch.
China encounters an asteroid
China’s space exploration shows no signs of slowing down even in 2025.
This spring, the country plans to launch a mission to collect asteroid samples, the first such expedition.
The plan calls for a spacecraft called Tenbun-2 to rendezvous with a near-Earth asteroid called Kamoorewa, which some scientists have suggested. maybe part of the moon It was ejected during an ancient collision.
The mission aims to collect debris from the asteroid, release a capsule containing samples, and return to Earth in 2026. After that, the Tenbun-2 probe is expected to orbit around the Earth and fly using the Earth’s gravity as a slingshot. Heading toward the comet known as 311P/Panstars. The spacecraft is expected to arrive at the comet in the mid-2030s.
If China’s asteroid sampling mission is successful, it would be a major accomplishment for the country’s space agency. This would be an achievement that follows several recent milestones. China has already become the first company to collect and return samples from the far side of the moon, landed a rover on Mars and completed construction of its own Tiangong space station.
Europa Clipper launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on October 14, 2024 at 12:06 pm EDT, beginning a six-year journey to Jupiter's icy moon Europa. The spacecraft will fly 49 times, approaching as close as 25 kilometers. Searching for the ingredients of life below the surface (16 miles).
Europa Clipper will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida on October 14, 2024 at 12:06 pm EDT. Image credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett.
european clipper This is the largest spacecraft ever built by NASA for a planetary mission.
Expanding the giant solar array, the spacecraft could span the length of a basketball court (30.5 meters, or 100 feet, end to end).
“We congratulate the European Clipper team as it begins its first journey to the ocean world beyond Earth,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
“NASA is a world leader in exploration and discovery, and the Europa Clipper mission is no exception.”
“By exploring the unknown, Europa Clipper will help us better understand whether there is potential for life not only within our solar system, but also on the billions of moons and planets outside the sun. .”
“We couldn't be more excited about the incredible and unprecedented science that NASA's European Clipper mission will bring for generations to come,” said Nikki Fox, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters. states.
“All of NASA's science is interconnected, and Europa Clipper's scientific discoveries will help other missions in Jupiter exploration, including Juno, Galileo, and Voyager, explore the possibility of inhabited planets beyond our home planet. We will build on the legacy we have created as we explore possible worlds.”
“We are very happy to be able to send Europa Clipper to explore a potentially habitable ocean world, thanks to all of our colleagues and partners who have worked so hard to date.” said Dr. Laurie Leshin, Director of NASA's Jet Division. Promotion Institute.
“The Europa Clipper will undoubtedly deliver amazing science. It is always bittersweet to send something we have worked so hard on for so many years on its long journey, but this amazing team We know that spacecraft will expand our knowledge of our solar system and provide inspiration for future exploration.”
“As Europa Clipper embarks on its journey, I will reflect on the countless dedications, innovations, and teamwork that made this moment possible,” said Europa Clipper project manager, also at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Jordan Evans said.
“This launch is more than just the next chapter in solar system exploration. It is a journey into another ocean, driven by our common curiosity and the quest to answer the question 'Are we alone?' A leap forward to uncover the mysteries of the world. ”
The journey to Jupiter will be a long 2.9 billion kilometers (1.8 billion miles), and instead of heading straight there, Europa Clipper will orbit Mars and then Earth, speeding past it.
The spacecraft is scheduled to begin orbiting Jupiter in April 2030 and begin its 49 science-focused flybys of Europa in 2031 while orbiting the gas giant.
This orbit is designed to take full advantage of the science Europa Clipper can perform and minimize exposure to Jupiter's notoriously intense radiation.
Scientists on the mission will be able to “see” how thick Europa's ice shell is and gain a deeper understanding of the vast ocean beneath.
They will examine surface material that may have come up from below, look for fingerprints of organic compounds that form the building blocks of life, and sample gases emitted by the moon for evidence of habitability. I will.
They will analyze the results and look for signs of a water world that could support life beneath the moon's frozen shell.
“It's important for us to picture what that alien ocean is like, the chemistry and biochemistry that might be going on there,” said Europa Clipper team member said Dr. Morgan Cable, an astrobiologist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Its research centers on searching for the types of salts, ices, and organic materials that make up the main ingredients of a habitable world.
This is where an imager called MISE (Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa) comes into play.
Operating in the infrared, the spacecraft's MISE splits the reflected light into different wavelengths to identify the corresponding atoms and molecules.
The mission will also use an instrument called E-THEMIS (European Thermal Emission Imaging System), which also operates in infrared, to explore potential sites near Europa's surface where plumes could bring deep-sea material closer to the surface. Attempt to identify hotspots.
The task of the EIS (Europa Imaging System) is to take clear, detailed pictures of Europa's surface using both narrow-image and wide-image cameras.
“EIS imagers will provide incredibly high-resolution images to understand how Europa's surface continues to evolve and change,” said Dr. Cable.
NASA's Cassini mission has discovered giant plumes of water vapor spewing from jets near the south pole of Saturn's icy moon Enceladus.
Europa may also emit a misty column of water drawn from the ocean or from reservoirs within its shell.
The Europa Clipper's instrument, called Europa-UVS (Europa Ultraviolet Spectrograph), can explore the plume and study any material that could be ejected into space.
Regardless of whether Europa has a plume or not, the spacecraft will carry two instruments to analyze small amounts of gas and dust particles ejected from the moon's surface by collisions with micrometeorites and high-energy particles. It has been. MASPEX (MAss SPECtrometer for Planetary Exploration/Europa) and SUDA (Surface Dust Analyzer).
These instruments capture small pieces of material emitted from surfaces and turn them into charged particles that reveal their composition.
“The spacecraft will study the gases and grains emitted by Europa by sticking out its tongue, tasting the grains, and inhaling those gases,” Dr. Cable said.
The mission will also explore Europa's external and internal structures in a variety of ways. That's because both structures have far-reaching implications for the moon's habitability.
To gain insight into the thickness of ice shells and the presence of oceans, as well as their depth and salinity, the mission will measure the moon's induced magnetic field with the ECM (European Clipper Magnetometer) and use that data to analyze currents from flowing charged particles. We plan to combine it with the measured values of . Around Europa — Data provided by PIMS (Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding).
In addition, mission scientists will use REASON (European Assessment and Near-Surface Sounding Radar), which monitors up to 18 miles (29 km) away, to detect every detail from the presence of ocean to ice structure and topography. I plan to investigate. several miles) into the shell. itself a potentially habitable environment.
Measuring the changes that Europa's gravity causes in radio signals should help determine the thickness of the ice and the depth of the ocean.
“Non-ice material on the surface can migrate into deep internal pockets of brine within the ice shell,” said Dr. Steve Vance, a member of the European Clipper team and an astrobiologist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
“Some may be large enough to be considered lakes, or at least ponds.”
“Using the collected data to perform large-scale computer modeling of Europa's internal structure, we may be able to uncover the ocean's composition and estimate its temperature profile.”
“Whatever the situation, the discovery will open a new chapter in the search for extraterrestrial life.”
“The European Clipper is almost certain to raise as many questions as it answers, if not more, in a completely different class than we have been thinking about for the past 25 years.”
_____
This article is based on a press release provided by NASA.
OpenAI is currently testing a new search engine that utilizes generative artificial intelligence to generate search results, potentially posing a challenge to Google’s dominance in the online search market. The company announced that SearchGPT will initially launch with limited users and publishers before expanding further. OpenAI plans to integrate search capabilities into ChatGPT and offer it as a standalone product in the future.
SearchGPT is described as a preliminary prototype that combines AI models (such as ChatGPT) with internet search abilities to provide search results in a conversational format with real-time information and relevant source links. This feature positions OpenAI as a direct competitor to major search engines like Google and Bing, owned by Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest investor.
Integrating generative AI into search engines has become a trend among technology companies, despite concerns about accuracy and copyright issues. OpenAI aims to make searching on the web quicker and easier by enhancing its models with real-time information from the internet.
There is a potential risk of backlash from publishers over how OpenAI uses their content in SearchGPT. Some news outlets have already filed lawsuits against the company for alleged copyright infringement, claiming that their published work was used without permission.
OpenAI denies these claims, stating that their use of copyrighted data falls under the “fair use” doctrine. Other companies have faced similar backlash from users and publishers for AI-generated search features.
OpenAI is collaborating with publishers to give them control over how their content appears in search results and promoting trusted sources of information. The company’s press release includes statements from industry leaders, endorsing AI-powered search as the future of the internet.
This development comes at a time when Google is facing an antitrust lawsuit alleging illegal monopolization of the internet search industry. The lawsuit claims that Google signed deals with major companies to make it the default browser on their devices, further solidifying its dominance.
Starliner launched on June 5th from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Joe Raedl/Getty Images
Boeing has successfully launched its Starliner spacecraft with a crew for the first time on its third attempt, a landmark launch that gives NASA two commercial options for sending astronauts into space: Boeing and SpaceX.
Starliner was launched on an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. June 5th, 10:52 AM (local time) After several years of delays, the manned launch has finally come to fruition. Initially, the manned launch was expected to take place by the end of 2017, but the plans fell behind schedule. The mission was finally scheduled to launch in May, but a valve failure forced NASA to abort the mission. The second launch on June 1 was scheduled for Discarded Due to computer problems.
But the third launch just a few days later was successful, with the capsule reaching orbit as planned. Carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, they made the 24-hour journey to the International Space Station, where they will stay for about a week to test various systems before returning to Earth aboard the same spacecraft.
The capsule was named Calypso. Reportedly Named after Jacques Cousteau's oceanographic ship, the mission's goal is to verify that Starliner is safe to transport crew to the ISS. If these tests are successful and the two astronauts return safely to Earth aboard Starliner, similar ships could begin annual crewed flights to the space station.
Each Starliner is designed to last up to 10 round trips, carrying up to seven people per flight, though a standard operational flight will likely only carry three or four astronauts.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Two contracts won Ten years ago, there were bids for a shuttle ship to transport crew to the International Space Station. One bid was for Boeing's Starliner, the other was SpaceX's Dragon capsule. Dragon outdid Starliner with its first crewed flight in 2020.
Starliner will be the sixth manned orbital spacecraft launched by the United States, following Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Space Shuttle and Dragon.
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The 99Bitcoins team aims to attract all potential new users who are expected to enter the cryptocurrency space and explore Bitcoin in light of the upcoming halving. The event, which takes place this month, is expected to increase the number of first-time crypto enthusiasts, as confirmed by multiple surveys and leading sources. cointelegraph and coin desk.
Pioneering BRC-20: Pushing earning while you learn in a new direction
99Bitcoins is also positioning itself as a pioneer in the BRC-20 movement, a new token standard that allows developers to deploy smart contracts on top of the Bitcoin blockchain. Security and transparency are also key to this project. solid proof audit Verify that there are no potential issues or caveats in the 99Bitcoins contract.
It is worth noting that 99BTC was originally deployed as an ERC-20 token and will only be bridged to BRC-20 in Q4 2024, transferring the project’s security to the Bitcoin network.
When it comes to tokenomics (renamed Token Metrics by the team), 99Bitcoins is distributing 99BTC with a total supply of $99 billion, with the aim of remaining competitive and providing lasting sustainability.
15% is allocated to presale, currently selling 99BTC for $0.001.
14% on staking rewards, 2 years of rewards for stakers of $99BTC
23% will be allocated to project funds
17% community rewards
8% to provide liquidity to exchanges
23% for marketing
This tokenomics structure is coupled with an ambitious roadmap to release a beta version of the platform by the fourth quarter of this year, followed by a full version next year.
About 99 Bitcoin
99 bitcoin is an important educational resource about Bitcoin. We focus on providing information about cryptocurrencies and bringing new users into the industry. The website was founded by him in 2013 and has since expanded its knowledge base to popular blockchains and cryptocurrencies such as Litecoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and Solana.
The platform is currently introducing gamification elements into its products, allowing students to receive rewards of $99BTC in the L2E economy. The 99BTC token is also a forerunner of the BRC-20 movement, a new token standard that enables the deployment of smart contracts on the Bitcoin network.
SpaceX’s next-generation mega-rocket launched Thursday morning, roaring into orbit on an important test flight to demonstrate new technologies and techniques that will be important for future missions to the moon and beyond.
SpaceX said the flight was the rocket’s third and most ambitious test. The event was closely watched because the 400-foot-tall booster, known as Starship, is expected to play a key role in NASA’s plans to return to the moon.
The rocket lifted off at 9:25 a.m. ET from SpaceX’s Starbase Test Range in Boca Chica, Texas.
Approximately three minutes into the flight, the first stage booster, known as the Super Heavy, successfully separated from the Starship spacecraft above.
SpaceX plans to eventually make Starship a fully reusable vehicle, but that’s not the case with this test flight. Super Heavy is expected to fall to Earth and splash down in the Gulf of Mexico.
With this flight, SpaceX hopes to demonstrate that Starship can make a controlled re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere before splashdown in the Indian Ocean. Before its finale, the test also includes several different objectives from the rocket’s previous two flights. SpaceX will attempt to ignite one of Starship’s Raptor engines while in space, open and close the vehicle’s payload door, and transfer propellant between Starship’s two tanks in orbit.
Many of these technologies could help SpaceX run future missions to deploy satellites or prepare for lunar missions as part of NASA’s Artemis program.
Starship was selected by NASA to carry astronauts to the moon’s surface on the Artemis III mission, scheduled to launch in 2026.
Starship’s debut flight last April was a destructive one, ending with the rocket exploding minutes after liftoff. The second Starship launch in November achieved several milestones, including the separation of the first stage booster and upper spacecraft, but the company ultimately lost contact with the spacecraft.
The LockBit ransomware gang is re-emerging, following a recent international crackdown that severely disrupted its operations.
Based in Russia, the group has created new dark web sites to showcase a few alleged victims and release stolen data. The gang is now under investigation by the National Crime Agency in Britain, as well as the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. This comes after a joint operation led by Europol to target the group last week.
In a statement issued in English and Russian, LockBitSupp, the group’s administrator, claimed that law enforcement agencies hacked their previous dark web site by exploiting vulnerabilities in PHP, a commonly used programming language for websites. They assured that other servers with backup blogs not using PHP would continue leaking data from targeted companies.
The statement also mentioned personal negligence and irresponsibility, along with expressing support for Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election. The group even offered a job to the individual who hacked their main site. Law enforcement confirmed that LockBitSupp does not reside in the U.S. and is cooperating with authorities.
Despite the disruption, the NCA stated that LockBit remains compromised, but they are vigilant as the group may attempt to reorganize. Additionally, the U.S. has indicted two Russians for deploying LockBit ransomware globally. Ukrainian police also arrested suspects related to attacks carried out using LockBit’s malicious software.
The renewed Rockbit website has issued threats against U.S. government sites and listed more alleged hacking victims. Security experts indicate that the group is attempting to resume operations but will face challenges due to the damage caused by international law enforcement actions.
LockBit operates on a ransomware-as-a-service model, leasing software to criminal organizations in exchange for a cut of the ransom payments. Despite the setback, the group needs to rebuild its reputation within the criminal community to attract affiliates following the recent law enforcement activities.
Ransomware attacks involve hackers infiltrating a target’s system, disabling it with malware, and encrypting files for ransom. Recent trends include extracting sensitive data like personal and customer information and demanding payment in cryptocurrency, mainly Bitcoin, to decrypt files or delete stolen data copies. Last year saw a record $1.1 billion paid in ransomware payments.
The newest weather satellite of NASA was launched into orbit on Thursday, providing unprecedented details of the world’s oceans and atmosphere.
SpaceX launched its $948 million Pace satellite before dawn, sending its Falcon rocket south across the Atlantic Ocean to achieve a rare polar orbit.
The satellite will spend at least three years studying the ocean and atmosphere 420 miles (676 kilometers) above the Earth. Two scientific instruments scan the Earth every day. The third instrument takes monthly measurements.
The PACE (Plankton, Aerosols, Clouds, Marine Ecosystems) satellite will separate from a SpaceX rocket in orbit on Thursday.NASA (via AP)
“It will be an unprecedented view of our home planet,” said project scientist Jeremy Wardell.
The observations will help scientists better forecast hurricanes and other severe weather, better understand how the Earth is changing as temperatures rise, and better predict when harmful algae blooms will occur.
NASA already has more than 20 Earth observation satellites and instruments in orbit. But Pace's findings should provide better insight into how atmospheric aerosols, such as pollutants and volcanic ash, interact with marine life such as algae and plankton.
“The pace will give us another dimension” to what other satellites observe, said Karen St. Germain, NASA's director of Earth Sciences.
PACE (short for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem) is the most advanced mission ever launched to study marine biology.
NASA and SpaceX engineers launched NASA's PACE (Plankton, Aerosols, Clouds, and Ocean Ecosystems) spacecraft into SpaceX's Falcon 9 spacecraft on January 30 at the AstroTech Space Operations Facility near Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It is encapsulated in the payload fairing. Denny Henry/NASA (via AP)
Current Earth observation satellites can see in seven or eight colors, Werdel said. Pace displays 200 colors, allowing scientists to identify types of algae in the ocean and particles in the air.
Scientists expect to start collecting data within a month or two.
NASA is working with India to develop another advanced Earth observation satellite scheduled to launch this year. The project, named Nisar, will use radar to measure the effects of rising temperatures on the surfaces of glaciers and other melting ice.
NASA's Pace program survived despite efforts by the Trump administration to cancel it.
“It's been a long and strange journey, as they say,” Werdel said before the launch.
United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket prepares to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida
UPI / Alamy Stock Photo Credit: Alamy Live
The series of missions to the moon in 2024 will kick off in a big way with the first launch of the new Vulcan rocket. The launch, scheduled for January 8, will carry Astrobotic's Peregrine lander to the Moon as the first mission in NASA's ambitious Commercial Lunar Payload Service (CLPS) program.
Vulcan was manufactured by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Before SpaceX, ULA was the dominant force in the U.S. space launch business, but in recent years SpaceX has performed the majority of U.S. launches.
Vulcan could be an opportunity for ULA to regain some of its market share. This is particularly important for ULA as the company is currently up for sale. Potential buyers include Jeff Bezos' spaceflight company Blue Origin. If all goes well with this launch, six more aircraft are planned for launch in 2024.
The purpose of this launch is to transport the Peregrine lander to the lunar surface and back. If successful, it will be the first time a private company has successfully landed on the moon. The lander carries a variety of scientific instruments, including sensors to study lunar water and radiation on the lunar surface, both of which are key to understanding future human exploration. The CLPS program includes many other lunar exploration missions in the coming years that will take complementary measurements to prepare for the continued presence of humans on the lunar surface.
The rocket also carries two particularly controversial payloads. It's a capsule of human remains sent into space by a company called Celestis, which offers something called a “commemorative spaceflight.” One of these capsules contains the ashes of: Star Trek Author Gene Roddenberry and actors James Doohan and Nichelle Nichols will be sent into orbit around the sun, while another will contain the ashes of other humans bound for the moon.
Buu Nygren, the leader of the Navajo tribe, sent a letter In response to the U.S. government's opposition to loading the capsule, he stated, “Putting human remains on the moon is a grave desecration of this celestial body that our people revere.'' NASA responded that because this was a civilian mission, it had no authority over what payload it carried.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk plans to establish a STEM-focused elementary and secondary school in Texas before establishing a glittering university “dedicated to the highest level of education,” according to tax filings. Musk, who moved to the Lone Star State from California during the pandemic, is funding the school in Austin with a $100 million donation from a billionaire philanthropic organization called The Foundation, according to tax filings first reported by Bloomberg.
The charity’s name seems to be a nod to the science fiction series written by famous author Isaac Asimov that details the collapse of a ruling empire to make way for the birth of an alternative society, but it is also a mask to the current education system. Fitting given his public criticism.
Last year, the head of Tesla and SpaceX revealed to a liberal university that he was estranged from his 19-year-old daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who recently changed her legal name to avoid association with the world’s richest man. I blamed it.
Musk also said Asimov’s “Foundation” series influenced his decision to start SpaceX 10 years ago with the goal of one day landing on Mars. According to Bloomberg, the foundation’s application to open the school was originally submitted in October 2022 and approved in March, but it’s unclear when the K-12 school will break ground.
A representative for Mr. Musk did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
The project begins with K-12 schools with a STEM focus: science, technology, engineering, and math. Once it’s up and running, it “ultimately intends to expand its operations and establish a university dedicated to the highest level of education,” according to its application for tax-exempt status with the IRS. Musk said the university will boast “experienced faculty” and “hands-on learning experiences including simulations, case studies, manufacturing/design projects, and labs” woven into the traditional curriculum. Tesla’s president must first seek accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission, which accredits degree-granting institutions in many Southern states.
This is not Musk’s first foray into the world of school education. In 2014, the father of 10 co-founded an “experimental” private school called Ad Astra inside SpaceX’s California offices for his five sons and select employees. Ad Astra’s curriculum was unusual, abandoning sports, music and foreign languages to focus on artificial intelligence, coding and applied science. When Musk moved to Texas in 2020, the so-called “world’s most exclusive school” followed suit and was renamed Astra Nova School. The school currently has approximately 200 students.
Mr. Musk faces stiff competition in the state capital, where the main campus of the University of Texas is located. According to Bloomberg, UT Austin was also recently established as an “illiberal” alternative to traditional universities in the United States. UT Austin plans to accept its first class of 100 students next fall. Musk plans to expand further into central Texas with the opening of Snailbrook, a town he is building east of Austin to house Tesla and SpaceX employees, as well as staff from his tunnel-building venture, The Boring Company. A floor plan filed in Bastrop County Commissioners Court in January shows a vision for the village of Snailbrook, a reference to the Boring Company mascot. According to the map, Snailbrook will have 110 homes on what would become Boring Boulevard, Waterjet Way, Porpoise Place and Cutterhead Crossing.
A few years Earlier, when the pandemic was still in full swing, Raj Kapoor and Josh Felser started investing in climate change technology startups.they called their operation climax, and initially placed bets using their own money. Although we are both experienced founders, managers, and investors, this is our first time focusing on this specific sector and we started by testing the waters.
The company announced today that it has closed a $65 million founding fund and used it to support founders launching a climate technology software company.
Mr. Kapur and Mr. Felser both have long histories as investors, with Mr. Felser co-founding Freestyle Capital and Mr. Kapur spending seven years as a managing director at Mayfield Funds. They also founded and sold their own software startup.
It’s a little surprising that it took this long for the two to work together. Their resumes are strikingly similar. Felser said that in 1997 he founded Spinner (sold to AOL) and in 2004 he founded Crackle (sold to Sony). He also launched the #Climate nonprofit in 2014 and created a public-private coronavirus task force during the pandemic. Mr. Kapur previously served as chief strategy officer at Lyft, and before that he founded Snapfish (acquired by HP) and FitMob (acquired by ClassPass). He also launched a nonprofit climate social app in 2007.
Those experiences, combined with a growing concern about the state of the Earth’s climate, led the two to form Climactic.
“If we can get the top 50 supply chains to meet their net-zero goals, rather than just pay lip service, we’ll have the biggest impact,” Kapur told TechCrunch+. “To get there, we think the low-hanging fruit is software, because there are a lot of efficiencies to be gained.”
We knew it would happen, but stock trading platforms robin hood has finally opened in the UK, its first international market since debuting in the US more than a decade ago. Robinhood is giving early access to the app to those who join its waiting list from today, with plans to gradually roll it out to everyone across the UK in early 2024. The Menlo Park, California-based company began preparing to launch in the UK about five years ago, began recruiting locally and eventually launched a waiting list of users in late 2019. Then, it suddenly withdrew in mid-2020. The company didn’t actually provide a full explanation for the decision, only saying that “a lot has changed in recent months” and that it wants to focus on its U.S. business. In fact, the company is accused of misleading customers; Use cynical gamification strategies To lure inexperienced users into risky transactions. There is also I got hit a few times multi-million dollar fine that’s all System stopped and other misdemeanors. And tragically, 20-year-old student Alex Kearns died by suicide after first glance Misunderstanding negative balance of $730,000 to his Robinhood account and ultimately to the company. Settlement of a personal lawsuit brought by his family. Despite this, Robinhood became a publicly traded company in mid-2021. The company currently claims to have 23 million users in the country, but much of this growth was driven by boredom in the early days of lockdown as people were stuck at home, with monthly users at 11.7 million in December 2020. Six months later, the number had increased to more than 21 million. Remember meme stocks? Yes, Robinhood was the main protagonist of that whole affair. So what does this mean now that Robinhood is trying again to expand internationally? “We certainly learned from our last launch attempt and have grown and matured as a business to the level of 23 million customers, $87 billion in assets, and a publicly traded company.” Robin Sinclair Robinhood UK CEO explained to TechCrunch. “We have also built technology that allows us to scale up internationally.”
But much has changed elsewhere since Robinhood’s last launch attempt. A number of local companies are starting out and gaining traction, most notably the Richard Branson-backed Lightyear, which started by allowing British consumers to trade US stocks, before going on to support European users and stocks. expanded to. And then there’s Freetrade, where Sinclair was managing director for Europe before joining Robinhood this summer. Freetrade supports UK-based traders investing in US and European stocks and is preparing to expand Coming soon to Europe. It’s these young startups, rather than the old, dusty traditional financial services companies, that Robinhood will most likely go after first. hargreaves lansdowne. “Robinhood’s appeal in the U.S. has been to a younger, tech-savvy demographic seeking access to the stock market.” david blairCEO of a fintech consulting company 11FS And the co-sponsors are Fintech Insider Podcasthe told TechCrunch. “It is likely to appeal to a similar audience in the UK who have previously felt that stock market prices and access barriers are too high. We can see it targeting more investment savvy users, such as Hargreaves Lansdown users with large investment wallets.” Robinhood, for its part, has been buzzing about expanding into the UK for much of this year. The company announced its third quarter results this month. Confirmed The company plans to launch brokerage operations in the UK soon, followed by cryptocurrency trading in the European Union (EU) market. The first of these promises has now come true, allowing UK consumers to trade thousands of US stocks, including big names such as Apple, Amazon, Microsoft and Meta. Users can place trades during standard market hours. This is 9:30 AM to 4 PM Eastern Time (ET), or 2:30 PM to 9 PM UK Time.Outside of those hours, Robinhood 24 hour market Users call limit order It runs 24 hours a day, 5 days a week, from 1am Monday (UK time) to 1am Saturday, covering 150 different stocks. In addition, the company has American Depositary Receipts (ADR), customers can invest in foreign companies such as: please do not Traded on US stock exchanges. lessons learned Despite the small neo-broker boom since Robinhood’s aborted launch three years ago, Sinclair says his company is in a strong position to take advantage of a market that is still relatively nascent, and that the past 10 I believe we can rely on the experience we have accumulated over the years in the United States. “I think the UK is a great opportunity. In fact, the market hasn’t really disrupted yet,” Mr Sinclair said. “The look and feel is the same as before, traditional brokers dominate with high commissions, and that hasn’t changed. So the opportunity still exists. We have benefited from a mature platform, added many products and features, and learned from our 23 million customers.” While the company has faced intense scrutiny in the US for how it targets inexperienced traders, Robinhood is applying its lessons to the UK, offering in-app guides, tips, tutorials, data and market news. and provides tools for budding traders. Invest wisely without context-switching between multiple information sources. At least you won’t use up all your savings. “This is all about facilitating all the research and all the information for customers before they make a trade and bringing it together in one place so they can guide their investment strategy going forward,” Sinclair said. Ta. Robin Hood Education: image credits: Robin Hood What’s clear from all of this is that Robinhood is trying to get back on track after failing in its domestic market. For example, the company initially introduced 24/7 chat, email and phone support in the UK. But Blair said that despite recent efforts to improve its image at home, the company may still struggle to recover from recent controversies. “Robinhood experienced tremendous growth in the U.S. during the peak of COVID-19, when everyone was spending more time indoors and online,” Blair said. “They benefited from a wave of hype about their product and brand, but then they suffered a huge blow with the suicide of a 20-year-old customer and have never fully recovered since. Educating customers about the product Much has been written about Robinhood’s commitment to keeping customers’ funds safe in the stock market, and despite investing more in customer education through products and content, its reputation is perhaps not entirely clear. I haven’t recovered since.” But two years after going public, the most obvious way for Robinhood to grow is to enter new markets, and as one of the world’s major financial centers, it’s highly unlikely that the UK would make the first move. It stands to reason. “The UK is a very attractive market for fintech for a number of reasons: a strong and supportive regulator, a significant high net worth population that is passionate about fintech, a large pool of talent and potential partners and suppliers. “The whole picture of other fintechs and banks available as well,” Blair said. show me the money Robinhood promises commission-free trading and foreign exchange (FOREX) fees, and there are no account minimums (meaning users don’t have to deposit x amount to use the service). This all sounds great, but it begs one simple question. That’s how Robinhood makes money. In the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) criticized robinhood For misleading customers about the method of revenue. In fact, Robinhood is commission-free, but essentially accepts customer trades and sells them to large trading companies who execute the trades on the customer’s behalf. This is a process known as “Payment for Order Flow” (PFOF). Critics argue that Robinhood customers therefore receive inferior prices for their trades, that the “free trade” claim is nothing more than a marketing fantasy, and that investors themselves essentially become a commodity. But all this is not a problem for Robinhood’s entry into the UK.In fact, PFOF has been effectively banned in the UK since 2012, while the European Union (EU) Also introduces a ban on this practice This is expected to be in place by 2026. Elsewhere, Canada is similar. Forbidden PFOFas there is singaporeAustralia is moving in that direction. The SEC previously shown It is said that they may consider banning PFOF. retired from that position At this point. However, it is clear that the global regulatory environment…
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