Latest / Elon Musk Podcast / Elon Musk Weekly News

Transcript

Elon Musk Weekly News · Elon Musk Podcast

0:00
Elon Musk, the billionaire behind Tesla and SpaceX, has
0:03
been making some pretty interesting moves lately.
0:06
So last year he bought Twitter for $44 billion in plans to turn
0:11
it into an Everything up, now rebranded as X.
0:14
But what's gotten crypto enthusiasts buzzing is his
0:17
ongoing involvement with Dogecoin, a meme based
0:20
cryptocurrency initially created as a joke, Musk has been putting
0:24
money into his development even as its value has plummeted by
0:28
90% from its peak. And before he purchased Twitter
0:32
or X as it's now known, Musk was toying with the idea of creating
0:35
a new blockchain based social media platform that would
0:38
feature a payment system using Dogecoin.
0:41
According to Walter Isaacson, the author of Musk's new
0:44
biography, this was a plan that was in the works.
0:47
While the exact scale of his investment at Dogecoin remains a
0:50
disclosed, Musk has previously mentioned that he would like to
0:54
see Dogecoin outperform Bitcoin and become the currency of
0:58
Earth. He said the currency of Earth.
1:02
And in July, Musk subtly added the dogecoin symbol to his
1:07
Twitter account, sending ripples through the crypto community.
1:10
Dogecoin, despite its turbulent journey, has managed to hold on
1:14
to some value with its network now worth around $9 billion.
1:19
And Musk's ambitions don't stop there.
1:21
Reports suggest that he's been discussing plans with Wall
1:24
Street execs to make X an updated version of PayPal.
1:28
Elan has been busy obtaining state money transmitting
1:31
licenses, which is a clear indication of his plans.
1:34
So how does this intertwine with Tesla?
1:37
Let's switch gears a little bit. Tesla has been fiddling around
1:40
with its pricing recently. Let's just say not everyone is
1:43
pleased about it, and after the latest round of price
1:46
reductions, Tesla owners took to X to vent their frustrations.
1:50
They felt betrayed by the sudden price cuts, with some having
1:54
purchased of Tesla's just days or weeks prior to these changes.
1:58
Customers who had purchased a Model S or Model X earlier in
2:01
this year, for example, were shocked to find the prices
2:04
slashed by up to $41,000. And to add fuel to that fire,
2:11
Tesla also reduced the cost of its full self driving software
2:14
from 15,000 to $12,000. Tweets and posts directed at
2:19
Musk expressed sentiments of betrayal and loss of brand
2:23
loyalty. Now calls for compensation
2:25
started to flood in with Tesla owners asking for things like
2:28
free Enhanced Autopilot upgrades to make up for the sudden
2:31
devaluation of the recently purchased vehicles.
2:34
And it's not just new customers who are feeling the pinch.
2:38
Even those who had planned on selling their used Teslas are in
2:41
for a rude awakening. The pricing debacle adds another
2:44
layer of complexity to Musk's existing commitments and
2:47
engagements. On one hand, he's shaping the
2:50
future of social media and potentially digital currency,
2:53
and on the other, he's got a customer base that's
2:55
increasingly disenchanted due to rapid and unannounced price
2:59
changes. So what is particularly
3:02
intriguing is how all these seemingly disparate ventures
3:06
interconnect in the larger scheme of Musk's vision.
3:09
Is the lowering of Tesla's pricing a strategic move to
3:12
divert capital towards its crypto endeavors, or X
3:15
development? Or is it merely an adjustment in
3:17
response to market forces? Is Musk spreading himself too
3:21
thin? Or is he, as always, three steps
3:23
ahead of everyone else? So how does one man juggle
3:26
running a car company, a space enterprise, neural tech firm,
3:30
social media platform and also dabble in cryptocurrency?
3:34
That's the enigma. That's Elon Musk, A complex web
3:36
of interests and investments. It continues to reshape how we
3:40
understand innovation and value. Now let's shift our focus from
3:44
Earth up into space. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft
3:48
with NASA astronaut Steven Bowen and Woody Hoberg along with UAE
3:52
astronaut and a Rusk Cosmo astronaut inside undocked from
3:56
the forward facing port of the International Space Station's
3:59
Harmony module is 7:05 Eastern Time.
4:03
On Sunday they completed a six month science mission.
4:07
The Endeavor spacecraft will splash down at approximately
4:09
12:17 AM Eastern Time on Monday, September 4th near Jacksonville
4:14
off the coast of Florida. Now, NASA's Crew 6 mission
4:17
launched March 2nd, 2023 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the
4:22
agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida and dock to the space
4:26
station the next day. Hey, thanks for tuning into the
4:28
episode today. It's been a whirlwind of
4:30
discussion, and we hope it's given you some food for thought
4:33
on the multifaceted actions of one of the world's most talked
4:37
about entrepreneurs. If you've enjoyed this episode,
4:39
please don't forget to hit the subscribe or follow button on
4:42
whatever podcast platform you're listening on right now.
4:45
It's free, just takes a moment and also helps out the show
4:48
tremendously. Thank you so much for that.
4:51
BMW showcased its electric concept car, named the Vision
4:56
Nuclus. Now, this car is expected to be
4:58
the harbinger of a new era for BMW, built on a new
5:02
architectural foundation that will serve as the blueprint for
5:05
all its future EVs. Oliver Zips, the CEO of BMW,
5:11
shared that they're planning to double their EV sales this year.
5:14
We also estimated that by the end of 2023, battery Ev's will
5:18
comprise 15% of BMW's global sales.
5:22
For a brand steeped in a history of internal combustion engines,
5:25
that's a very significant pivot. Now, Mercedes-Benz wasn't far
5:29
behind either. They unveiled their concepts CLA
5:32
Class, another electric vehicle designed from the ground up to
5:36
serve as a cornerstone for their future electric offerings.
5:39
Their CEO was all praised for the car, claiming that its specs
5:43
are unparalleled in its class. It boasts an impressive range of
5:46
750 kilometers and a quick charge feature that can juice up
5:50
the car to run 400 kilometers in just 15 minutes.
5:55
If that doesn't show their ambition in the EV sector, I
5:58
don't really know what could. In the introduction of dedicated
6:01
EV platforms for BMW and Mercedes marks a significant
6:05
departure from their previous strategies.
6:07
Earlier, they would retrofit their existing combustion or
6:10
hybrid vehicles to accommodate the batteries, but with these
6:14
new reveals, they're setting up a dedicated assembly line for
6:17
EV's. It's a very serious commitment,
6:21
but despite these efforts and lists of pine that both Mercedes
6:24
and BMW have a mountain to climb to catch up the Tesla, let alone
6:29
to dominate this sector. Now a senior research analyst at
6:33
Bernstein Research, Daniel Roska, pointed out that while
6:37
these new platforms are a step forward, they may not completely
6:40
close the gap with Tesla and the competitive Chinese players.
6:44
And Speaking of competition, price wars are becoming
6:47
increasingly common the EV market.
6:49
Tesla has been aggressive with its pricing strategy, which puts
6:53
additional pressure on premium market players like BMW and
6:56
Mercedes. Now Collinius from Mercedes
7:00
emphasize that they aren't aiming to push volume, but are
7:03
focusing on value over volume. This could be a significant
7:07
differentiator in a market where many players, including Tesla,
7:11
are fighting fiercely for market share.
7:14
Now Volkswagen is also in the race with unique strategy.
7:18
They plan to target various market segments by offering cars
7:21
at different price points, and with the announcement of
7:24
launching 11 new EV models by 2027, they're definitely not
7:30
holding back. While these vehicles themselves
7:32
are impressive, the real differentiator in the EV sector
7:35
seems to be technology. Tesla software capabilities,
7:38
especially with Autopilot, have set a high standard, but
7:42
European automakers are catching up.
7:44
BMW, for example, is touting its head up display that projects
7:49
information out of the driver's windshield.
7:51
Now, Zips also highlighted their significant investment in
7:55
digital aspects, including semiconductors.
7:59
So the electric vehicle market is getting more and more
8:01
crowded. It's no longer just Tesla and
8:04
the Chinese companies like BYD. But why is this happening?
8:08
One reason could be the growing consumer awareness about
8:12
environmental issues. And as the climate crisis
8:14
intensifies, people are increasingly considering
8:16
sustainable modes of transportation, thereby driving
8:20
up the demand for E V's. And governments around the globe
8:23
are also implementing stringent emission regulations, forcing
8:27
automakers to pivot to more eco friendly technologies.
8:31
Now BMW and Mercedes-Benz in particular have historically
8:35
been associated with luxury, performance and engineering
8:39
excellence. But they also recognize the
8:41
urgent need for sustainability and are taking big strides to
8:45
make their fleet more eco friendly.
8:48
This urgency is partly due to market demand, but it's also
8:51
because the competition is fierce and not waiting for them
8:55
to catch up. BMW is offering a concept car
8:58
that aims to set the stage for a brand new lineup with their EVs
9:02
and they plan to introduce it over the next few years.
9:06
And according to BMW CEO, this framework is such a huge game
9:11
changer. It's not about creating another
9:13
electric car, it's about shifting the very core of what
9:17
BMW represents as a brand. They're not only electrifying
9:21
their vehicles, but they're also reimagining how these cars will
9:25
interact with the drivers and with the environment and other
9:28
vehicles. The user experience is expected
9:31
to be significantly augmented by digital features, aiming to make
9:35
driving more intuitive and also enjoyable.
9:37
And on the flip side, Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA class
9:41
offers not just an electric vehicle, but a feat of
9:44
engineering that pushes the boundaries of what Ev's can do.
9:47
750 kilometer range is impressive, or really what
9:52
caught everyone's attention was its rapid charging capabilities.
9:55
15 minutes for 400 kilometers is something that even Tesla hasn't
10:00
achieved in their consumer models, and if you can bring
10:04
this from a concept to an actual car available on the market,
10:07
that would represent a massive leap in EV technology.
10:12
Now let's talk about some of the challenges they faced.
10:14
First off, the issue of battery technology and sourcing lithium
10:18
ion batteries are at the heart of all Ev's right now, and
10:21
securing a steady, sustainable supply of these materials is a
10:25
logistical and ethical challenge.
10:28
Companies are racing to find alternative materials or improve
10:31
the efficiency of existing ones. This is where Tesla has an
10:34
advantage with its Gigafactories and plans to manufacture its own
10:38
batteries. Whether BMW and Mercedes can
10:40
catch up on this front, it's something to keep an eye on.
10:44
Another challenge? Infrastructure.
10:46
Europe does have a growing network of charging stations,
10:49
but it's not yet an extensive network like it is in the US,
10:55
and it needs to be a bigger market to support a mass
10:58
adoption of electric vehicles. Both BMW and Mercedes will need
11:02
to consider how their cars will fit into the existing
11:05
infrastructure, or what steps they could take to expand it or
11:09
make their own. And let's not forget about the
11:11
emerging competition from China. Companies like NEO and Speg and
11:16
BYD are not just content with conquering the domestic market,
11:20
They have global ambitions that are slowly but steadily entering
11:23
European and North American markets.
11:25
With often lower price models and impressive tech features.
11:29
These companies are set to give the traditional European
11:32
automakers a run for their money.
11:34
Meanwhile, VW and Audi are also stepping up their game.
11:39
VW has made it clear that they intend to cater to various
11:42
segments of the market, providing options for every type
11:45
of consumer, and the versatility in their approach can make them
11:48
a formidable competitor to both BMW and Mercedes.
11:54
Now we have to remember again Tesla's Autopilot Tesla
11:58
software, the hardware that drives that software.
12:01
It set a standard for autonomous driving features.
12:04
And how will BMW and Mercedes compete on them?
12:08
They're working on it, but as mentioned earlier, BMW is
12:11
investing heavily in digital features, semiconductors, which
12:14
can significantly enhance vehicle performance and
12:18
experience. And these moves by BMW and
12:20
Mercedes-Benz are not mere incremental steps in the realm
12:24
of EVs. They signify a wholesale
12:27
commitment to the future that's electric.
12:30
And while these are challenges and they're stiff competition
12:34
out there, their willingness to invest, innovate and adapt
12:37
speaks volumes about the resilience and vision of these
12:40
iconic brands. On April 20th, 2023, SpaceX
12:44
launched its first integrated Starship and super heavy
12:47
vehicle. But instead of a grand success,
12:49
the mission concluded in an explosion, prompting an FAA
12:53
investigation. Starship is the cornerstone of
12:56
Spacex's vision for the future of space travel, with its
12:59
ability to carry a large payload and humans to the moon into
13:03
Mars. Now, the recent investigation
13:06
looked into what went wrong and outlined 63 corrective actions
13:10
that SpaceX needs to implement before taking to the skies.
13:13
Again, the FEA made it clear that this isn't a complete green
13:17
light for SpaceX. They stated that SpaceX would
13:19
need to implement all corrective actions that impact public
13:23
safety and apply for and receive a license modification from the
13:27
FAA that addresses all safety, environmental, and other
13:31
application regulatory requirements prior to the next
13:34
Starship launch. Now, one of the critical issues
13:37
was the failure of the two stages of a Starship separate,
13:40
triggering Starship's autonomous flight safety system and causing
13:44
the vehicle to be destroyed. Moreover, the power of the Super
13:47
heavy 33 Raptor engines resulted in damage to the Starbase launch
13:51
site, creating a crater and launching debris into the air.
13:55
These are among the aspects that SpaceX will need to refine
13:58
before the next test flight. Now Elon Musk, Spacex's head,
14:02
took to social media to express that the company has already
14:05
made numerous improvements. He noted that thousands of
14:08
upgrades have been applied to both the Starship and the
14:10
launchpad, and one of the most significant changes is the shift
14:14
to hot staging, a complex process where the second stage
14:18
engines begin firing before full separation from the first stage.
14:22
Now this new strategy requires SpaceX to install new hardware,
14:25
including a heat shield and a venting interstage, and another
14:28
update involves fortifying the ground beneath Starbase's
14:32
orbital launch mount with a steel plate that has a water
14:35
spot or a deluge system. This deluge system is intended
14:38
to dissipate the extreme force generated by super heavy 33
14:42
Raptors, and the idea is that the water will act as a cushion
14:45
against the engine power, reducing the chances of damaging
14:48
the launchpad, as occurred during the April mishap.
14:52
But the path to the next launch is not entirely free of
14:55
roadblocks. There's the FP A's expectation
14:57
that SpaceX will need to obtain a license modification, which
15:00
means proving that all safety and environmental protocols are
15:04
met. That's a tall order, and SpaceX
15:06
hasn't yet announced when they'll apply for this
15:08
modification or when they expect to undertake another test
15:11
flight. Spacex's Starship program isn't
15:14
just a lark or an ambitious pipe dream, and has significant
15:17
implications for the future of space travel.
15:20
NASA plans to use Starship at its upcoming Artemis missions,
15:23
which aim to return humans to the moon.
15:26
Moreover, Starship is critical for Spacex's Starlink settling
15:29
Internet service, currently providing connectivity across 50
15:32
countries. The legal landscape is equally
15:35
complex. Environmental and cultural
15:37
heritage nonprofits have raised questions about the
15:40
environmental impact of Spacex's test flights.
15:43
SpaceX and the FAA are defendants in a lawsuit alleging
15:47
failure to conduct an appropriate environmental review
15:49
prior to the first Starship test flag.
15:51
This is Spacex's flagship project aimed at creating a
15:54
fully reusable spacecraft that can carry humans to Mars and
15:58
beyond, possibly to the outer solar system.
16:01
It's not just a concept on paper, it's an engineering
16:03
marvel, the design to accomplish tasks previously considered near
16:06
impossible, the capacity to carry up to 100 people.
16:10
Eventually, along with ample cargo space, this rocket can
16:14
undertake long duration voyages. Places like the Moon, Mars, and
16:18
perhaps even more distant celestial bodies.
16:21
Imagine it as the foundational block of Spacex's ambition to
16:25
make life multiplanetary, a super heavy rocket.
16:28
The first stage of the Starship system comes with over 30 Raptor
16:31
engines and serves as the workhorse for getting the second
16:34
stage Starship out of Earth's gravitational pull.
16:38
But the height of about 230 plus feet Super heavy is designed to
16:42
be not just powerful, but also efficient.
16:45
Once it gets Starship to a certain altitude, it disengages
16:48
and returns to Earth, where it can be refueled and launched
16:51
again. Now this reusability feature is
16:54
crucial for reducing the cost of space travel and making it more
16:57
accessible to a broader population.
17:00
Now the second stage Starship is not just a vessel for reaching
17:04
other planets, It's essentially a mini habitat that can sustain
17:07
life for extended periods of time.
17:10
About life support systems, spaces for scientific research,
17:13
and cargo areas for essentials like food and equipment.
17:16
It's an all in one vehicle for exploring the cosmos.
17:19
The spacecraft will be designed to execute pinpoint landings on
17:23
celestial bodies that lack atmosphere using its own
17:26
propulsion system. This provides the potential for
17:29
establishing bases on the Moon and Mars and facilitates the
17:33
transportation of resources between Earth and these
17:36
extraterrestrial locations. Together, Starship and super
17:39
Heavy aren't just rockets, they are the cornerstones of a vision
17:43
or interplanetary travel becomes a common aspect of human
17:46
civilizations. Now, while the FAA recent
17:49
decision marks progress, it doesn't mean that SpaceX can
17:53
proceed without obstacles. Corrective actions need to be
17:56
implemented and licenses need to be updated, and multiple
17:59
stakeholders from regulatory agencies to environmental groups
18:03
are keeping a watchful eye. Space Texas Starship could
18:06
launch anywhere between two weeks or two months, so we're
18:10
not exactly sure when this is going to happen.
18:13
After the FAA approval, maybe there's going to be other
18:16
environmental assessments, and possibly SpaceX could get those
18:20
63 items done faster than we expect.
18:25
So please stay tuned. Hit the subscribe or follow
18:27
button on whatever podcast platform you're on right now to
18:30
keep up to date with all the latest Starship news.
18:33
So what Honda's decision to switch to NACS actually mean?
18:38
NACS is a Tesla design standard that's been adopted by a growing
18:41
number of automakers, starting with Ford earlier this year.
18:45
And Honda has now joined the list, planning to equip its new
18:48
electric vehicles with NACS ports from 2025 onwards.
18:53
And this move will also grant Honda EV owners access to
18:56
Tesla's expansive and a highly reliable Supercharger network, a
19:00
considerable benefit for any electric vehicle owner planning
19:04
long trips or who wants an easier fast charging experience.
19:09
Now while access to Tesla Supercharger network is a big
19:12
win, it's worth noting that Honda, along with six other
19:15
automakers, have also committed to building a separate network
19:19
of high speed EV chargers across North America.
19:23
Slated for completion by 20-30, this new network aims to install
19:28
at least 30,000 high speed EV chargers and plans to leverage
19:32
funding from both private and the public sectors.
19:37
Now let's talk about the NACS standard.
19:41
At its core, NACS is designed to be a universal high performance
19:45
charging system that can be used across multiple makes and models
19:49
of electric vehicles. One of its key features is the
19:52
port design, which is slim and robust with no moving parts.
19:55
This makes it less susceptible to wear and tear, thereby
19:59
enhancing its durability. The NACS port supports both A/C
20:05
alternating current and DC direct current charging,
20:07
providing versatility to users. When connected to a high speed
20:11
DC charger such as Tesla Supercharger can handle charging
20:14
rates of up to one MW, allowing for extremely fast charging
20:18
times. Now this capacity far exceeds
20:21
most existing standards and can replenish hundreds of miles of
20:24
range. In just a matter of minutes.
20:27
And the goal of NECS is not just to facilitate faster charging,
20:30
but to create a unified system that can be easily adopted for
20:34
various automakers. Tesla has opened up this
20:36
standard with the intention of streamlining the charging
20:39
infrastructure across North America.
20:41
This robust design, high charging capabilities and
20:44
flexibility. NACS is aiming to be the new
20:47
industry standard, encouraging broader adoption of electric
20:50
vehicles by making the charging process as convenient as
20:55
possible. Now let's pick the discussion to
20:58
other significant development in the world of Ev's The 7th
21:01
Automaker Alliance to construct the new network of high speed
21:05
charges across North America. This partnership includes
21:09
automakers like G, MB, MW, Honda, Hyundai, Kia,
21:14
Mercedes-Benz and Stalantis. The coalition aims to make long
21:18
distance travel for EV owners more convenient by installing
21:21
charges along highways in in urban centers, leveraging the
21:25
national Electric Vehicle infrastructure or NEVI funding
21:29
in the United States and other public and private sources.
21:32
Now while Tesla Supercharger network has set a very high
21:35
standard, this joint venture aims to take it one step further
21:39
by offering a universally compatible network that will
21:42
serve various EV makes and models.
21:45
There will be no need to fumble with multiple charging station
21:47
apps as the network will adopt the developing plugin charge
21:51
standard. The Federal Highway
21:52
Administration is attempting to standardize the end game.
21:55
Here is a better, more unified charging experience for all
21:59
electric vehicle owners, irrespective of their vehicles
22:02
maker model. Now the faster people can plug
22:04
in, charge and go, the easier it becomes for potential buyers to
22:08
make the switch from fossil fuels to electric vehicles,
22:11
helping us move towards a more sustainable future.
22:14
And the new network plans to be powered entirely by renewable
22:17
energy, a crucial step towards environmental sustainability.
22:21
Now the big take away though, as EV adoption grows,
22:24
standardization will play a key role in influencing consumer
22:27
choices and behaviors. Tesla opening up its charging
22:30
standard is a significant step forward, and how disagreement to
22:34
adopt it marks yet another milestone.
22:37
And the formation of the Seven Automaker Alliance is another
22:40
pivotal moment, signaling a growing commitment across the
22:43
industry to make electric vehicle charging as convenient
22:47
and efficient as possible. Now, thank you again for tuning
22:50
into today's episode of the Elon Musk Podcast.
22:53
If you found value in this episode, make sure to hit the
22:56
subscribe or follow button on whatever podcast platform you're
22:58
listening to. Now it's free.
23:00
Just take a second and it helps us out.
23:03
But remember, we can only continue bringing you great
23:05
content every day thanks to our Elon Musk Investors Club.
23:08
To join the club and support the show, head on over to join
23:11
elonclub.com. We're going to talk about the
23:14
latest SpaceX Crew Dragon mission, Crew Six, which
23:17
successfully returned from its journey to the International
23:20
Space Station. Now this mission involved 3
23:22
astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut and it came to a safe
23:26
conclusion just off the coast of Jacksonville, FL.
23:29
From the brilliant streak across the sky to the controlled
23:32
splashdown but at the future of SpaceX human space flights, this
23:36
is something that we are all going to be intrigued about now.
23:39
But before we move on, I'd like to give a shout out to everyone
23:42
who supports this podcast by joining the Elon Musk Investors
23:46
Club. Your contributions enable us to
23:48
keep this show running every single day, covering the latest
23:52
in technology, space exploration, Tesla X, and more.
23:56
Early Monday, between 12:05 AM and 12:17 AM, the Dragon
24:01
Endeavor capsule meet is descent back to Earth, creating a
24:04
mesmerizing spectacle over the Gulf of Mexico and central
24:07
Northeast Florida. An observer is even reported
24:10
hearing Sonic booms as the capsule pierced through the
24:12
Earth's atmosphere. This marks the fourth trip to
24:15
space for Dragon Endeavor, which had previously flown missions
24:19
Axiom 1, Crew Two and Demo Two. And upon touching down of the
24:24
Atlantic Ocean, Crew 6 Commander Stephen Bowen expressed his
24:27
gratitude to SpaceX. He said, Thanks SpaceX, We
24:30
really appreciate all the support from all the initial
24:33
training through the launch throughout the mission keeping
24:35
us abreast of the status of the vehicle and all the support all
24:39
the way down. Now Stephen Bowen was joined by
24:41
NASA astronaut Woody Hoberg, the United Arab Emirates Sultan Al
24:46
Niade and Russian cosmina Andrei Fedyev, and they all closed the
24:50
Hatch of this capsule and departed from the International
24:53
Space Station about 17 hours before their grand splashdown.
24:57
Now the mission itself. It lasted about six months,
25:01
focusing primarily on scientific experiments and maintenance of
25:04
the International Space Station. And before reentry, the Dragon
25:08
endeavor performed its final of 5D orbit burns, sealing its fate
25:12
for the descent back to Earth. And during this process, the
25:15
capsule's heat shield had to withstand temperatures up to
25:18
3500 degrees Fahrenheit. As expected, the plasma layer
25:22
around the capsule knocked out communications with the crew for
25:26
about 7 minutes. Standard occurrence during
25:29
reentry. Now let's talk about the moment
25:31
the capsule landed. SpaceX teams immediately
25:34
approached the capsule floating on the Atlantic waters to ensure
25:37
that no toxic propellants were leaking.
25:40
Following this, the capsule was hoisted up out of the deck of
25:43
Spacex's recovery ship Megan, named after NASA astronaut Megan
25:46
MacArthur. And medical checkouts for the
25:48
astronauts were done right there on the vessel before they
25:52
boarded a helicopter back to Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
25:55
From there, will return to NASA's Johnson Space Center in
25:58
Texas. Now this marks another milestone
26:01
for SpaceX, which has now flown 11 human Space Flight missions,
26:04
eight of which were contracted with NASA's Commercial Crew
26:06
Program. The other three missions, namely
26:09
inspiration for Axiom 1 and Axiom Two, were focused on
26:13
private astronauts. The latest mission?
26:16
Crew Seven was launched just over a week ago with astronauts
26:19
from NASA, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace
26:22
Exploration Agency and a cosmonaut from Roscosmos.
26:27
Florida's next planned liftoff is a United Launch Alliance
26:30
Atlas 5 rocket, which was recently grounded due to
26:33
hurricane. Now, this is a part of a
26:35
national security mission involving the US Space Force and
26:38
the National Reconnaissance Office.
26:40
In addition, SpaceX plans to launch another Falcon 9 carrying
26:43
a batch of Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Forest
26:47
Station. And SpaceX is having a banner
26:49
year. Not only did the company
26:51
successfully bring back the crew from the ISS, but it also
26:55
launched 62nd mission of the year, putting 21 more Starlink
26:59
satellites into orbit. SpaceX is really pushing the
27:02
envelope in terms of what's possible in space exploration
27:05
and satellite development. The Falcon 9 rocket blasted off
27:08
from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 10:47 PM on
27:12
Monday. This is Spacex's 62nd launch
27:15
this year, setting a new yearly record for the company, outdoing
27:19
its previous record sent last year.
27:22
In 2022, the first stage of the Falcon 9 returned to a drone
27:25
ship about 9 minutes after liftoff, showcasing once again
27:29
the capability of reusable rockets, and the upper stage
27:32
deployed the 21 satellites into low Earth orbit roughly an hour
27:36
after liftoff. And according to information
27:38
available on Spacex's website, this mission also marked a
27:41
significant milestone for the Falcon Nine's first stage
27:44
booster. It was its 10th launch and
27:46
landing early around Monday as we were discussing Spacex's
27:50
Dragon spacecraft successfully returned for astronauts from the
27:54
International Space Station. The crew had been there for 186
27:57
days following their launch in March, engaging in an array of
28:00
tasks, from space walks to scientific experiments and
28:04
station management. Now, in a post on his X
28:07
platform, formerly known as Twitter, Elon praised the
28:10
incredible work that SpaceX has done.
28:13
SpaceX, as this year, has been responsible for delivering
28:16
approximately 80% of all Earth payload mass to orbit.
28:20
To put that into perspective, China supplied about 10%, with
28:24
the rest of the world contributing the remaining 10%.
28:27
That's huge, and they're aiming to escalate the launch frequency
28:31
for 10 Falcon flights per month by the end of this year, and to
28:36
push it to 12 per month by 2024. And according to the current
28:41
stats, SpaceX has completed a total of 261 launches at 223
28:47
landings with 195 total reflights.
28:50
That's the type of innovation that sets the stays for
28:52
ambitious goals like Mars colonization with the Starship,
28:55
which has always been a longterm vision for SpaceX and Elon Musk.
29:00
Now looking at the future, the next Starlink launch is Friday
29:03
and taking off from Cape Canaveral in Florida.
29:05
And As for collaborations with NASA, the next one is slated for
29:09
at least February of 2024, during which SpaceX will
29:13
transport the crew 8 astronauts to the International Space
29:16
Station. And yes, the hardware
29:18
allocations for the Dragon and Falcon rockets are already in
29:22
the planning stages. So summing this all up, whether
29:26
it's bringing astronauts back to the Earth or setting new records
29:28
and satellite launches, SpaceX is propelling everybody into a
29:32
new era of space exploration as missions like these that add
29:36
building blocks to the foundation of the future, where
29:39
travel to the moon, travel to Mars and beyond are all a
29:43
possibility now. It's incredible to think that
29:46
we're living through this right now.
29:48
In an age where all of this is happening right before our eyes,
29:52
this Tuesday was a crucial day for SpaceX as a Starship rocket
29:55
was stacked atop its Super Heavy booster in South Texas, marking
30:00
the beginning of the final preparations for its second
30:02
launch. Now, this occasion led to SpaceX
30:06
founder Elon Musk to post on X or Twitter that Starship is
30:10
ready to launch, awaiting FAA license approval and the mention
30:14
of the FAA. The Federal Aviation
30:16
Administration is noteworthy. The agency is still engaged in
30:20
reviewing documents and data from Spacex's first attempt to
30:23
launch Starship in April of 2023.
30:27
That initial flight concluded about 90 seconds after liftoff
30:30
due to engine difficulties and other problems with the booster.
30:34
Now, as part of their ongoing evaluation, the FEA is looking
30:37
into several aspects of this incident, such as the
30:40
environmental impact at the launch site and the delayed
30:43
activation of the Rockets flight termination system.
30:46
And in response to these setbacks, SpaceX generated quote
30:50
mishap investigation report and submitted it to the FAA.
30:54
The FAA in turn will highlight the corrective measures SpaceX
30:58
must implement prior to its second test flight.
31:01
The objective is to ensure the safety of not only property, but
31:04
also humans and wildlife in the vicinity of the South Texas
31:08
launch site, which is close to both wetlands and the Gulf of
31:12
Mexico. Now, when probed for an update
31:14
on this regulatory scrutiny, an FAA spokesperson suggested that
31:18
additional information could be forthcoming.
31:21
In fact, on Wednesday at 6:00 PM Eastern, the FAA issued a
31:25
statement indicating the SpaceX Starship mishap investigation
31:28
remains open, clarified that they won't authorize another
31:32
Starship launch until SpaceX enacts the identified corrective
31:36
actions and complies with all license modification.
31:39
Prerequisites Now, beyond the regulatory stuff, it's worth
31:44
noting the SpaceX has been incredibly busy with
31:47
preparations at the Starbase launch site.
31:50
They've worked diligently to upgrade the ground systems in
31:53
the rocket itself For the second launch attempt in the first
31:56
flight, the absence of a sound suppression system caused
31:59
significant structural damage, notably sending fragments of
32:02
concrete from the launchpad, scattering across the vicinity
32:05
of the Starbase location. And in order to mitigate this
32:08
issue, SpaceX has constructed and tested a new water deluge in
32:12
flame deflector system located under the Starship launch mount.
32:16
Now the SpaceX engineering team has also been occupied with
32:19
enhancing the interstage area between the first stage rocket
32:22
and the upper stage Starship vehicle, now referred to as a
32:25
hot staging ring. And the aim is to enable the
32:28
Starship upper stage engines to ignite even before the Super
32:32
heavy first stage finishes its burn.
32:35
Although this is an intricate operation, a successful
32:38
execution could significantly boost the mass to orbit
32:41
performance of this launch vehicle.
32:43
And in preparation for the upcoming test flight, SpaceX has
32:46
carried out two hot fire tests of the Booster 9 rocket and also
32:50
ran tests on the Starship upper stage Ship 25.
32:53
And both sets of hardware have mainly passed these trials.
32:56
And the next test flight, unlike commercial missions, will not
32:59
carry any payloads or people. And the objective is to test the
33:03
performance of the 33 Raptor rocket engines in the booster
33:07
along with stage separation and the ignition of Starship 6
33:10
engines. And should the flight proceed as
33:12
planned, Starship will complete almost 3/4 of an orbit around
33:16
Earth before making a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean north of
33:20
Hawaiian Island of Kauai. Now, while the exact flight path
33:24
might still be under wraps, pending FAA approval and other
33:28
regulatory checks, the anticipated trajectory does give
33:31
us plenty to talk about. Starship, once launched, aims to
33:34
achieve a series of milestones that not only demonstrate the
33:37
feasibility of the technology, but also provide invaluable data
33:40
for future, more complex missions.
33:43
The first part of the flight involves the ignition of super
33:45
heavy 33 Raptor rocket engines. These engines are expected to
33:49
generate a massive amount of thrust, propelling the vehicle
33:52
through Earth's atmosphere. It's crucial for all these
33:55
engines to operate in synchronization, not just for
33:58
liftoff, but also as the vehicle ascends. the Super Heavy booster
34:01
is the real workhorse here, designed to lift the entire
34:04
rocket assembly until it reaches a designated altitude where
34:08
stage separation occurs. Now, upon reaching this
34:12
altitude, a highly crucial part of the mission takes place.
34:15
The stage separation is where the Super heavy detaches from
34:19
the Starship upper stage, and at this point the upper stage,
34:22
which has its own set of 6 Raptor engines, ignites to
34:25
continue the journey into space. Now this stage aims to carry
34:29
Starship almost 3/4 of an orbit around Earth.
34:32
It's a complex dance to physics and engineering requiring
34:35
precise timing and flawless execution from both hardware and
34:39
software systems on board. And one of the most innovative
34:42
features expected to be tested is the hot staging ring,
34:45
designed to facilitate the seamless transition between the
34:48
Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage.
34:51
And the hot staging rain would theoretically enable the upper
34:55
stage engines to ignite even before Super Heavy has completed
34:58
its burn and separated. This complicated maneuver of
35:01
successfully executed would revolutionize the mass to orbit
35:04
performance metrics, allowing heavier payloads to be carried
35:08
to space with greater efficiency And after cleaning nearly 75% of
35:12
US orbit, the plan is for Starship to descend into the
35:15
Pacific Ocean north of the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
35:19
This segment of the mission is equally critical because it
35:21
involves reentry into the atmosphere, which subjects the
35:24
spacecraft to extreme temperatures and stresses.
35:27
Now, starships, heat shield and other protective measures will
35:30
be put to the test here, essentially proving whether the
35:33
vehicle is capable of enduring the harsh conditions it would
35:36
face in an actual mission beyond Earth to orbit.
35:40
Now let's talk about a Super Heavy booster after separation.
35:43
The design philosophy behind Super Heavy focuses on
35:46
reusability. Post separation, Super Heavy
35:49
will execute a controlled descent burn back to Earth in
35:52
The booster aims to land vertically as a designated
35:55
platform, a maneuver that SpaceX has perfected with its Falcon 9
35:59
rockets. And achieving this with a Super
36:01
Heavy booster would be another monumental milestone considering
36:04
its enormous size and complexity.
36:07
The booster is about 250 feet tall now.
36:11
By studying each segment of the flight path in extreme detail,
36:14
SpaceX aims together a treasure trove of data that would inform
36:18
future missions, be a lunar landings, Marcus Expeditions, or
36:22
even more ambitious yet to be announced adventures into the
36:25
cosmos. And every piece of information,
36:27
from engine performance and stage separation to reentry
36:30
dynamics and splashdown is a puzzle piece in the grand scheme
36:35
of the Starship. Thank you for joining us today
36:38
on this episode of the Elon Musk Podcast.
36:40
If you enjoyed what you heard, please make sure to hit the
36:43
follow or subscribe button on your preferred podcast platform.
36:47
It's free, only takes a second, but it shows you won't miss out
36:49
on future episodes about Starship, SpaceX or anything
36:53
Elon Musk. And remember that this podcast
36:55
is brought to you by the support of our listeners who are part of
36:58
the Elon Musk Investors Club. To keep us going strong, head
37:01
over to join the club elon.com and become a member.
37:05
And until next time, take care of yourselves and each other,
37:08
and I'll see you in the next one.