News & Updates
The latest news and updates from companies in the WLTH portfolio.
SpaceX Preps Next-Gen Gateway to Accelerate Starlink Speeds
Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. SpaceX is developing a next-generation gateway station to boost Starlink speeds after securing approval to upgrade the satellite internet service with gigabit connectivity. On Tuesday, the company filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission about a new ground-based gateway station, called "First of Its Name," an apparent Game of Thrones reference. SpaceX routinely submits regulatory filings to authorize new gateway sites. They're best known for using spherical dome antennas to beam high-speed data to orbiting Starlink satellites, which then relay it to users. The company already has more than 100 gateway stations across the US. But they've usually been designed to transmit data over a swath of radio spectrum in the Ka and E bands, according to past SpaceX filings. The First of Its Name gateway stands out because it'll harness even more radio spectrum in the "Ka-, V-, E-, and W-bands" -- which the FCC greenlit in January as part of SpaceX's proposal to upgrade Starlink with gigabit speeds. The application calls out permission to use the 18.6-18.8GHz, 19.4-19.6GHz, and 29.1-29.5GHz spectrum, along with various higher bands in the V- and W-bands. "This application takes the next step by seeking authority for one of SpaceX's next-generation quad-band gateway earth stations that will connect these satellite systems to the terrestrial internet," the company wrote, noting it's targeting "fiber-like speeds." The gateway station will still use 40 antennas for quad-band access, but each will be a 1.99-meter parabolic dish, slightly larger than the 1.85-meter dishes used at the company's other gateway facilities. SpaceX adds: "This allows the gateway site to connect to as many independent NGSO [non-geostationary] satellites as possible at any given instant in time, delivering higher data transmission rates and improved customer connectivity to meet the growing consumer demand for high-speed, low-latency satellite broadband and ubiquitous mobile communications." The application also includes specific coordinates indicating the gateway will be located at SpaceX's Starlink factory in Bastrop, Texas, as noted by Tim Belfall, a director at UK-based Starlink installer Westend WiFi. It's unclear when the quad-band antennas will roll out to other stations. But in the filing, SpaceX noted if the FCC grants the authorization to use the 18.6-18.8GHz band for the gateway site, it'll "allow SpaceX to efficiently upgrade its existing hardware to make productive use of the 18.6-18.8GHz band for consumers, since the commission has already authorized SpaceX to use adjacent frequencies above and below 18.6-18.8GHz." The company's main driver for unleashing gigabit speeds is launching next-generation V3 satellites using the upcoming Starship vehicle. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has mentioned that mass deployment of V3 satellites could start in Q4, but it will depend on progress with Starship, which is slated for another test flight next month. In the meantime, SpaceX adds, "Granting this application will promote the public interest by improving the coverage, quality, reliability, and sustainability of SpaceX's upgraded Gen1 and Gen2 systems for American consumers without causing significant interference problems." The company is asking permission to use the gateway for both fixed and mobile satellite services.
SpaceX Preps Next-Gen Gateway to Accelerate Starlink Speeds
Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. SpaceX is developing a next-generation gateway station to boost Starlink speeds after securing approval to upgrade the satellite internet service with gigabit connectivity. On Tuesday, the company filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission about a new ground-based gateway station, called "First of Its Name," an apparent Game of Thrones reference. SpaceX routinely submits regulatory filings to authorize new gateway sites. They're best known for using spherical dome antennas to beam high-speed data to orbiting Starlink satellites, which then relay it to users. The company already has more than 100 gateway stations across the US. But they've usually been designed to transmit data over a swath of radio spectrum in the Ka and E bands, according to past SpaceX filings. The First of Its Name gateway stands out because it'll harness even more radio spectrum in the "Ka-, V-, E-, and W-bands" -- which the FCC greenlit in January as part of SpaceX's proposal to upgrade Starlink with gigabit speeds. The application calls out permission to use the 18.6-18.8GHz, 19.4-19.6GHz, and 29.1-29.5GHz spectrum, along with various higher bands in the V- and W-bands. "This application takes the next step by seeking authority for one of SpaceX's next-generation quad-band gateway earth stations that will connect these satellite systems to the terrestrial internet," the company wrote, noting it's targeting "fiber-like speeds." The gateway station will still use 40 antennas for quad-band access, but each will be a 1.99-meter parabolic dish, slightly larger than the 1.85-meter dishes used at the company's other gateway facilities. SpaceX adds: "This allows the gateway site to connect to as many independent NGSO [non-geostationary] satellites as possible at any given instant in time, delivering higher data transmission rates and improved customer connectivity to meet the growing consumer demand for high-speed, low-latency satellite broadband and ubiquitous mobile communications." The application also includes specific coordinates indicating the gateway will be located at SpaceX's Starlink factory in Bastrop, Texas, as noted by Tim Belfall, a director at UK-based Starlink installer Westend WiFi. It's unclear when the quad-band antennas will roll out to other stations. But in the filing, SpaceX noted if the FCC grants the authorization to use the 18.6-18.8GHz band for the gateway site, it'll "allow SpaceX to efficiently upgrade its existing hardware to make productive use of the 18.6-18.8GHz band for consumers, since the commission has already authorized SpaceX to use adjacent frequencies above and below 18.6-18.8GHz." The company's main driver for unleashing gigabit speeds is launching next-generation V3 satellites using the upcoming Starship vehicle. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has mentioned that mass deployment of V3 satellites could start in Q4, but it will depend on progress with Starship, which is slated for another test flight next month. In the meantime, SpaceX adds, "Granting this application will promote the public interest by improving the coverage, quality, reliability, and sustainability of SpaceX's upgraded Gen1 and Gen2 systems for American consumers without causing significant interference problems." The company is asking permission to use the gateway for both fixed and mobile satellite services.
SpaceX Preps Next-Gen Gateway to Accelerate Starlink Speeds
Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. SpaceX is developing a next-generation gateway station to boost Starlink speeds after securing approval to upgrade the satellite internet service with gigabit connectivity. On Tuesday, the company filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission about a new ground-based gateway station, called "First of Its Name," an apparent Game of Thrones reference. SpaceX routinely submits regulatory filings to authorize new gateway sites. They're best known for using spherical dome antennas to beam high-speed data to orbiting Starlink satellites, which then relay it to users. The company already has more than 100 gateway stations across the US. But they've usually been designed to transmit data over a swath of radio spectrum in the Ka and E bands, according to past SpaceX filings. The First of Its Name gateway stands out because it'll harness even more radio spectrum in the "Ka-, V-, E-, and W-bands" -- which the FCC greenlit in January as part of SpaceX's proposal to upgrade Starlink with gigabit speeds. The application calls out permission to use the 18.6-18.8GHz, 19.4-19.6GHz, and 29.1-29.5GHz spectrum, along with various higher bands in the V- and W-bands. "This application takes the next step by seeking authority for one of SpaceX's next-generation quad-band gateway earth stations that will connect these satellite systems to the terrestrial internet," the company wrote, noting it's targeting "fiber-like speeds." The gateway station will still use 40 antennas for quad-band access, but each will be a 1.99-meter parabolic dish, slightly larger than the 1.85-meter dishes used at the company's other gateway facilities. SpaceX adds: "This allows the gateway site to connect to as many independent NGSO [non-geostationary] satellites as possible at any given instant in time, delivering higher data transmission rates and improved customer connectivity to meet the growing consumer demand for high-speed, low-latency satellite broadband and ubiquitous mobile communications." The application also includes specific coordinates indicating the gateway will be located at SpaceX's Starlink factory in Bastrop, Texas, as noted by Tim Belfall, a director at UK-based Starlink installer Westend WiFi. It's unclear when the quad-band antennas will roll out to other stations. But in the filing, SpaceX noted if the FCC grants the authorization to use the 18.6-18.8GHz band for the gateway site, it'll "allow SpaceX to efficiently upgrade its existing hardware to make productive use of the 18.6-18.8GHz band for consumers, since the commission has already authorized SpaceX to use adjacent frequencies above and below 18.6-18.8GHz." The company's main driver for unleashing gigabit speeds is launching next-generation V3 satellites using the upcoming Starship vehicle. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has mentioned that mass deployment of V3 satellites could start in Q4, but it will depend on progress with Starship, which is slated for another test flight next month. In the meantime, SpaceX adds, "Granting this application will promote the public interest by improving the coverage, quality, reliability, and sustainability of SpaceX's upgraded Gen1 and Gen2 systems for American consumers without causing significant interference problems." The company is asking permission to use the gateway for both fixed and mobile satellite services.
Intel Stock Rises 3% as Musk Plans 14A Chips for Tesla, SpaceX Terafab
This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) shares rose about 3% on early Thursday after Elon Musk said Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) and SpaceX will use Intel's 14A process for a planned Terafab, giving Intel a fresh sign of interest in its manufacturing turnaround, according to a Wednesday earnings call. Intel has been spending heavily to rebuild its chipmaking position and compete with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM). Musk said the process is still under development, but he expects it to be mature by the time the facility begins operating. Tesla and SpaceX would use the Intel technology in a semiconductor plant meant to support their AI work, Musk said. He added that the Terafab would help address a shortage of advanced chips as demand for AI infrastructure keeps climbing. Intel is due to report earnings on Thursday. The comments add a new customer-facing angle for Intel as it looks to show progress on 14A, while memory chip suppliers including Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix and Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) face tight supply conditions.
SpaceX Wants To Build Its Own AI Chips To Cut Supply Risk
The backdrop is a real choke point for artificial intelligence (AI): getting enough advanced chips to run and train models. SpaceX flags chip supply as a growth risk, saying it lacks long-term agreements with many suppliers and might not secure enough hardware, even if it keeps buying plenty from third parties. That's where Terafab comes in. The pitch is vertical integration - doing more of the chip journey in-house, from de.. sign to packaging and testing, steps that are usually split across specialists. But SpaceX also cautions there's "no assurance" it hits targets or timelines, and key questions remain: does "GPU" mean graphics chips or other AI accelerators, when would output begin, and whose manufacturing process would power the factory. Musk has pointed to Intel's next-generation 14A process as a possible option - yet it's unclear who would run the manufacturing playbook. Why should I care? For markets: The chip race is becoming a strategy problem. This is another sign that the scarcest input in AI isn't ideas - it's computing power, which depends on hard-to-source chips. Even Nvidia, the leading AI chip designer, relies on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world's top contract chipmaker, to produce many processors, while Alphabet built custom chips to secure capacity. If SpaceX and partners pursue end-to-end production, it adds a new risk for investors to weigh: big upfront spending and the chance that "building" takes longer - and costs more - than "buying." Zooming out: Vertical integration can backfire in semiconductors. The chip industry split into specialists for a reason - it helped improve yields and cut costs. Reassembling that chain under one roof could give more control for chips aimed at cars, robots, and space systems, but it also concentrates failure points: equipment delays, technology choices, and manufacturing readiness can derail plans. SpaceX's own language frames in-house chips as a long-term hedge, not a quick fix.
Live coverage: SpaceX to launch 25 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB
SpaceX will launch its 40th Starlink mission of the year when its Falcon 9 rocket takes off from Vandenberg Space Force Base Wednesday night. The Starlink 17-14 mission will add another 25 broadband internet satellites to the company's low Earth orbit constellation, which consists of more than 10,200 spacecraft. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East is scheduled for 7:55 p.m. PDT (10:55 p.m. EDT / 0255 UTC). The rocket will fly on a south-southwesterly trajectory upon leaving the pad. Spaceflight Now will have live coverage beginning about 30 minutes prior to liftoff. SpaceX will launch the mission using the Falcon 9 first stage booster with the tail number 1100. This will be its fifth flight following the launches of NROL-105 along with three other batches of Starlink satellites. A little more than eight minutes after liftoff, B1100 is set to land on the drone ship, 'Of Course I Still Love You'. If successful, this will be the 192nd booster landing on this vessel and the 602nd booster landing to date for SpaceX.
Tesla CEO Musk says SpaceX will take care of initial phase of scaled up Terafab
Tesla, Inc. designs, builds, and sells electric vehicles. Net sales break down by activity as follows: - sale of automotive vehicles (69.4%); - sale of energy generation and storage systems (13.5%); - services (13.2%): primarily maintenance and repair services. The group also develops sale of power train assembly components for electric vehicles activity; - automotive credits (2.1%); - automotive leasing (1.8%). At the end of 2025, the group had 8 manufacturing sites located in the United States (5), China (2) and Germany. Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: the United States (50.2%), China (22.1%) and other (27.7%).
SpaceX Shuts Down Little-Known, But Precise Starlink Location Function
Starlink customers probably haven't used it, but SpaceX is shutting down a little-known GPS feature that can be used to track and identify a Starlink dish's location. On Tuesday, the company began notifying customers about the demise of an open-source software framework, gRPC, integrated into Starlink hardware. "Effective May 20, dish location will no longer be available via the local device gRPC API," SpaceX said in the email. The company didn't explain why, describing it as an update to Starlink's "Location Data Access." But regular users don't need to worry. You can still see your dish's location through the Starlink Mobile app under the "Subscription" section. The GPS data on the gRPC API isn't leaking your location either. It needs to be manually turned on by the user, which used to be possible by visiting the Debug Data section. Instead, the change is expected to affect third-party software and Starlink resellers, particularly when it comes to managing fleets of Starlink dishes used on the road or at sea, according to Paul Sutherland, a software developer. Sutherland is behind a desktop Starlink monitoring app called Nexus Telemetry. He told PCMag that the gRPC API is "very, very accurate" at enabling a customer to see the real-time location of a Starlink dish. The same API has been a helpful way for third-party tools to manage multiple Starlink dishes, including on RVs or boats, to see their GPS locations. But in a blog post, Sutherland noted the location function came with a security trade-off. "If you'd enabled it, any device on your network, including guest devices, could silently read your precise GPS coordinates," he wrote. "That's a privacy issue in itself: your exact home location, accessible to any device on your LAN without consent. Beyond that, any app with network access could bypass the operating system's location permission prompts entirely by just querying the dish over HTTP instead of asking the OS for location services." It's why Sutherland suspects SpaceX might be clamping down to prevent the function from posing a threat to enterprise or even military customers, like those in Ukraine. "If [hackers] compromise a network with Starlink, they would be able to find the location of that [dish] device," he told PCMag. "If they were broadcasting in a secret location, they would be able to pinpoint where it is. "In a conflict zone or any situation where physical location is sensitive, that's a real risk. Removing unauthenticated access to location data makes sense from that perspective," he added. "That said, the change affects every Starlink user globally, not just those in sensitive locations, so I think the primary driver is the general privacy and security concern rather than any specific military use case." Still, the restriction threatens to block legitimate access to location data for third-party tools, including Nexus Telemetry. Users managing fixed Starlink dishes can simply log where their equipment is based, but not so for dishes on moving vehicles. Sutherland wrote: "For mobile users, RVs, vans, and boats, it's more of a problem. The whole point of polling the dish was that the location updated automatically as you moved. You'll now need an alternative source," which would involve installing a third-party GPS device. In response, Nexus Telemetry plans on adding support for dongle-based USB GPS receivers. One Starlink reseller noted the restriction also means "reduced troubleshooting accuracy, more reactive operations, and diminished ability to automate and enforce SLAs [service level agreements] at an individual site level." Although SpaceX is still offering a "Telemetry API" for enterprise customers, it limits location data to approximate grid cells rather than specific coordinates. "Such a move just brings unnecessary issues for many users who are using gRPC for legitimate reasons," added Jianping Pan, a computer science professor at the University of Victoria in Canada who studies satellite internet systems. SpaceX didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. But despite the looming restriction, it's possible the company will reopen location access through the API, though it'll be protected by authentication. Some users have also speculated that the restriction might block bad actors from equipping drones with Starlink. But Sutherland said: "I'd say the drone angle is unlikely since the local API is only accessible from devices on the dish's own network, and drone operators already have onboard GPS."
SpaceX Shuts Down Little-Known, But Precise Starlink Location Function
Starlink customers probably haven't used it, but SpaceX is shutting down a little-known GPS feature that can be used to track and identify a Starlink dish's location. On Tuesday, the company began notifying customers about the demise of an open-source software framework, gRPC, integrated into Starlink hardware. "Effective May 20, dish location will no longer be available via the local device gRPC API," SpaceX said in the email. The company didn't explain why, describing it as an update to Starlink's "Location Data Access." But regular users don't need to worry. You can still see your dish's location through the Starlink Mobile app under the "Subscription" section. The GPS data on the gRPC API isn't leaking your location either. It needs to be manually turned on by the user, which used to be possible by visiting the Debug Data section. Instead, the change is expected to affect third-party software and Starlink resellers, particularly when it comes to managing fleets of Starlink dishes used on the road or at sea, according to Paul Sutherland, a software developer. Sutherland is behind a desktop Starlink monitoring app called Nexus Telemetry. He told PCMag that the gRPC API is "very, very accurate" at enabling a customer to see the real-time location of a Starlink dish. The same API has been a helpful way for third-party tools to manage multiple Starlink dishes, including on RVs or boats, to see their GPS locations. But in a blog post, Sutherland noted the location function came with a security trade-off. "If you'd enabled it, any device on your network, including guest devices, could silently read your precise GPS coordinates," he wrote. "That's a privacy issue in itself: your exact home location, accessible to any device on your LAN without consent. Beyond that, any app with network access could bypass the operating system's location permission prompts entirely by just querying the dish over HTTP instead of asking the OS for location services." It's why Sutherland suspects SpaceX might be clamping down to prevent the function from posing a threat to enterprise or even military customers, like those in Ukraine. "If [hackers] compromise a network with Starlink, they would be able to find the location of that [dish] device," he told PCMag. "If they were broadcasting in a secret location, they would be able to pinpoint where it is. "In a conflict zone or any situation where physical location is sensitive, that's a real risk. Removing unauthenticated access to location data makes sense from that perspective," he added. "That said, the change affects every Starlink user globally, not just those in sensitive locations, so I think the primary driver is the general privacy and security concern rather than any specific military use case." Still, the restriction threatens to block legitimate access to location data for third-party tools, including Nexus Telemetry. Users managing fixed Starlink dishes can simply log where their equipment is based, but not so for dishes on moving vehicles. Sutherland wrote: "For mobile users, RVs, vans, and boats, it's more of a problem. The whole point of polling the dish was that the location updated automatically as you moved. You'll now need an alternative source," which would involve installing a third-party GPS device. In response, Nexus Telemetry plans on adding support for dongle-based USB GPS receivers. One Starlink reseller noted the restriction also means "reduced troubleshooting accuracy, more reactive operations, and diminished ability to automate and enforce SLAs [service level agreements] at an individual site level." Although SpaceX is still offering a "Telemetry API" for enterprise customers, it limits location data to approximate grid cells rather than specific coordinates. "Such a move just brings unnecessary issues for many users who are using gRPC for legitimate reasons," added Jianping Pan, a computer science professor at the University of Victoria in Canada who studies satellite internet systems. SpaceX didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. But despite the looming restriction, it's possible the company will reopen location access through the API, though it'll be protected by authentication. Some users have also speculated that the restriction might block bad actors from equipping drones with Starlink. But Sutherland said: "I'd say the drone angle is unlikely since the local API is only accessible from devices on the dish's own network, and drone operators already have onboard GPS."
SpaceX Shuts Down Little-Known, But Precise Starlink Location Function
Starlink customers probably haven't used it, but SpaceX is shutting down a little-known GPS feature that can be used to track and identify a Starlink dish's location. On Tuesday, the company began notifying customers about the demise of an open-source software framework, gRPC, integrated into Starlink hardware. "Effective May 20, dish location will no longer be available via the local device gRPC API," SpaceX said in the email. The company didn't explain why, describing it as an update to Starlink's "Location Data Access." But regular users don't need to worry. You can still see your dish's location through the Starlink Mobile app under the "Subscription" section. The GPS data on the gRPC API isn't leaking your location either. It needs to be manually turned on by the user, which used to be possible by visiting the Debug Data section. Instead, the change is expected to affect third-party software and Starlink resellers, particularly when it comes to managing fleets of Starlink dishes used on the road or at sea, according to Paul Sutherland, a software developer. Sutherland is behind a desktop Starlink monitoring app called Nexus Telemetry. He told PCMag that the gRPC API is "very, very accurate" at enabling a customer to see the real-time location of a Starlink dish. The same API has been a helpful way for third-party tools to manage multiple Starlink dishes, including on RVs or boats, to see their GPS locations. But in a blog post, Sutherland noted the location function came with a security trade-off. "If you'd enabled it, any device on your network, including guest devices, could silently read your precise GPS coordinates," he wrote. "That's a privacy issue in itself: your exact home location, accessible to any device on your LAN without consent. Beyond that, any app with network access could bypass the operating system's location permission prompts entirely by just querying the dish over HTTP instead of asking the OS for location services." It's why Sutherland suspects SpaceX might be clamping down to prevent the function from posing a threat to enterprise or even military customers, like those in Ukraine. "If [hackers] compromise a network with Starlink, they would be able to find the location of that [dish] device," he told PCMag. "If they were broadcasting in a secret location, they would be able to pinpoint where it is. "In a conflict zone or any situation where physical location is sensitive, that's a real risk. Removing unauthenticated access to location data makes sense from that perspective," he added. "That said, the change affects every Starlink user globally, not just those in sensitive locations, so I think the primary driver is the general privacy and security concern rather than any specific military use case." Still, the restriction threatens to block legitimate access to location data for third-party tools, including Nexus Telemetry. Users managing fixed Starlink dishes can simply log where their equipment is based, but not so for dishes on moving vehicles. Sutherland wrote: "For mobile users, RVs, vans, and boats, it's more of a problem. The whole point of polling the dish was that the location updated automatically as you moved. You'll now need an alternative source," which would involve installing a third-party GPS device. In response, Nexus Telemetry plans on adding support for dongle-based USB GPS receivers. One Starlink reseller noted the restriction also means "reduced troubleshooting accuracy, more reactive operations, and diminished ability to automate and enforce SLAs [service level agreements] at an individual site level." Although SpaceX is still offering a "Telemetry API" for enterprise customers, it limits location data to approximate grid cells rather than specific coordinates. "Such a move just brings unnecessary issues for many users who are using gRPC for legitimate reasons," added Jianping Pan, a computer science professor at the University of Victoria in Canada who studies satellite internet systems. SpaceX didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. But despite the looming restriction, it's possible the company will reopen location access through the API, though it'll be protected by authentication. Some users have also speculated that the restriction might block bad actors from equipping drones with Starlink. But Sutherland said: "I'd say the drone angle is unlikely since the local API is only accessible from devices on the dish's own network, and drone operators already have onboard GPS."
SpaceX Shuts Down Little-Known, But Precise Starlink Location Function
Starlink customers probably haven't used it, but SpaceX is shutting down a little-known GPS feature that can be used to track and identify a Starlink dish's location. On Tuesday, the company began notifying customers about the demise of an open-source software framework, gRPC, integrated into Starlink hardware. "Effective May 20, dish location will no longer be available via the local device gRPC API," SpaceX said in the email. The company didn't explain why, describing it as an update to Starlink's "Location Data Access." But regular users don't need to worry. You can still see your dish's location through the Starlink Mobile app under the "Subscription" section. The GPS data on the gRPC API isn't leaking your location either. It needs to be manually turned on by the user, which used to be possible by visiting the Debug Data section. Instead, the change is expected to affect third-party software and Starlink resellers, particularly when it comes to managing fleets of Starlink dishes used on the road or at sea, according to Paul Sutherland, a software developer. Sutherland is behind a desktop Starlink monitoring app called Nexus Telemetry. He told PCMag that the gRPC API is "very, very accurate" at enabling a customer to see the real-time location of a Starlink dish. The same API has been a helpful way for third-party tools to manage multiple Starlink dishes, including on RVs or boats, to see their GPS locations. But in a blog post, Sutherland noted the location function came with a security trade-off. "If you'd enabled it, any device on your network, including guest devices, could silently read your precise GPS coordinates," he wrote. "That's a privacy issue in itself: your exact home location, accessible to any device on your LAN without consent. Beyond that, any app with network access could bypass the operating system's location permission prompts entirely by just querying the dish over HTTP instead of asking the OS for location services." It's why Sutherland suspects SpaceX might be clamping down to prevent the function from posing a threat to enterprise or even military customers, like those in Ukraine. "If [hackers] compromise a network with Starlink, they would be able to find the location of that [dish] device," he told PCMag. "If they were broadcasting in a secret location, they would be able to pinpoint where it is. "In a conflict zone or any situation where physical location is sensitive, that's a real risk. Removing unauthenticated access to location data makes sense from that perspective," he added. "That said, the change affects every Starlink user globally, not just those in sensitive locations, so I think the primary driver is the general privacy and security concern rather than any specific military use case." Still, the restriction threatens to block legitimate access to location data for third-party tools, including Nexus Telemetry. Users managing fixed Starlink dishes can simply log where their equipment is based, but not so for dishes on moving vehicles. Sutherland wrote: "For mobile users, RVs, vans, and boats, it's more of a problem. The whole point of polling the dish was that the location updated automatically as you moved. You'll now need an alternative source," which would involve installing a third-party GPS device. In response, Nexus Telemetry plans on adding support for dongle-based USB GPS receivers. One Starlink reseller noted the restriction also means "reduced troubleshooting accuracy, more reactive operations, and diminished ability to automate and enforce SLAs [service level agreements] at an individual site level." Although SpaceX is still offering a "Telemetry API" for enterprise customers, it limits location data to approximate grid cells rather than specific coordinates. "Such a move just brings unnecessary issues for many users who are using gRPC for legitimate reasons," added Jianping Pan, a computer science professor at the University of Victoria in Canada who studies satellite internet systems. SpaceX didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. But despite the looming restriction, it's possible the company will reopen location access through the API, though it'll be protected by authentication. Some users have also speculated that the restriction might block bad actors from equipping drones with Starlink. But Sutherland said: "I'd say the drone angle is unlikely since the local API is only accessible from devices on the dish's own network, and drone operators already have onboard GPS."
SpaceX eyes 12th Starship launch, marking a pivotal step in getting humans back to the lunar surface
An important step forward in long-duration spaceflight, the highly anticipated 12th launch of Starship, a fully reusable spacecraft designed for missions to the moon, is approaching. After an initial target to launch in March or April, hiccups and cancellations have pushed the highly-anticipated launch back. On its 12th test flight, Starship is expected to introduce upgraded hardware, including more powerful engines and a taller structure designed to support increased payload capacity. HUBBLE TELESCOPE CAPTURES STUNNING IMAGES OF 'SPACE SLUG' NEARLY 5,000 LIGHT-YEARS AWAY These enhancements represent an important step in validating the vehicle's evolution and could play a pivotal role in advancing humanity's ambitions to return to the moon. Trading on prediction markets has varied, with the majority of the public in agreement the launch will occur before June. The new Version 3 design is aimed at achieving orbit, with full reusability representing a critical milestone that could significantly advance NASA's Artemis program and its ambitious objectives. Looking ahead, Artemis III is intended to demonstrate key capabilities for sustained lunar exploration, including the use of commercial human landing systems. One such system under development is SpaceX's Starship, which is planned to transport astronauts from lunar orbit to the moon's surface. NASA'S ARTEMIS PROGRAM: PAVING THE WAY FOR HUMANKIND'S RETURN TO THE MOON AND BEYOND SpaceX's upcoming Starship test flights are focused on validating the technologies required for its role as the Human Landing System (HLS) for Artemis III. These demonstrations, if successful, aim to show that Starship can meet the performance and reliability necessary to support Artemis III -- and potentially future missions such as Artemis IV -- in returning astronauts to the lunar surface.
Look to the Sky: SpaceX launch planned for Wednesday
PHOENIX (AZFamily) -- Don't forget to look out to the night sky Wednesday night for a SpaceX launch likely visible from Arizona. The private space exploration company is planning to launch 25 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit around 8 p.m. The launch will take place from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California. The glowing path of many SpaceX launches are visible from Arizona by looking toward the southeast. SpaceX says it will begin a livestream of this mission around 5 minutes to liftoff. You can watch that through the company's X account. There is a chance that some Southern California residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear sonic booms during the launch, SpaceX says. The mission is dependent on factors like weather and wind, and the timing may change if warranted by the conditions.
SpaceX Launches Final GPS III Satellite
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket deployed the final Lockheed Martin-built GPS III satellite on Tuesday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for the U.S. Space Force. Top leaders from the U.S. Space and Air Forces will examine how advanced technologies and strategies are shaping responses to evolving air and space challenges at the Potomac Officers Club's 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30. Register now! Space Systems Command announced the milestone on the same day, noting that Space Vehicle-10 brings the operational GPS constellation to 32 satellites. SSC claimed that SV-10 completed the Space Force's most resilient GPS architecture to date, advancing positioning, navigation and timing capabilities for military and civilian users. The launch demonstrated the National Security Space Launch program's ability to adjust schedules quickly, with the Space Force executing a provider change and revised launch timeline in under seven weeks. USSF Col. Ryan Hiserote, SSC System Delta 80 commander, NSSL program manager and GPS III-8 mission director described the move as a "remarkable achievement compared to traditional timelines." SV-10 reportedly provides three times greater accuracy and improved resistance to jamming compared to earlier systems. It features secure M-code capability designed for military users operating in contested environments and carries several demonstration technologies, including an optical crosslink payload that enables satellites to communicate directly in orbit, a new atomic clock for improved timing precision, a laser retroreflector array supporting scientific measurement and system performance, and a 3D-printed antenna component intended to reduce production time and cost. The demonstration technologies will inform the development of the next-generation GPS IIIF satellites, which are expected to further strengthen anti-jamming capabilities and introduce new features, such as Regional Military Protection to improve signal availability for military users in high-threat environments, a search-and-rescue payload and fully digital navigation technology. Lockheed said the IIIF variant is being manufactured at its Denver, Colorado, facility. The company, under contract to deliver 12 IIIF units, is using augmented reality, digital twins and other emerging technologies to accelerate production timelines.
Banglalink, SpaceX seek nod for satellite-to-mobile trial
Banglalink and Elon Musk's SpaceX have jointly applied to the telecom regulator in Bangladesh to launch trials of telecom services through satellite, allowing users' smartphones to connect directly to satellites through a mobile operator's network. In a recent letter seen by The Daily Star, the companies sought approval from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) for an initial 60-day test and trial period to integrate satellite connectivity into Banglalink's network. "This system will provide supplemental mobile connectivity using over 650 Starlink Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites, which initially will deliver SMS and, at a later stage, light-data capabilities to Banglalink subscribers, particularly during periods when terrestrial networks are damaged or unavailable," the letter said. It said the commercial arrangement will integrate Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity into Banglalink's mobile network in Bangladesh. The letter describes the initiative as a first-of-its-kind partnership in Bangladesh aimed at expanding connectivity, particularly in disaster-prone and remote areas where conventional terrestrial networks are unavailable. The companies said the proposed service would help address long-standing coverage gaps. This development comes after Kaan Terzioglu, chief executive officer of Veon, told The Daily Star last month that the company aims to replicate the technology it is already using in Ukraine and Kazakhstan. To prepare for a commercial rollout, Banglalink and SpaceX requested regulatory support. The testing will use mobile frequencies authorised for Banglalink's operations, specifically the 2110-2115 MHz downlink range and 1920-1925 MHz uplink range, where Banglalink is the sole authorised spectrum user. The companies said the service would initially be offered as a supplementary service under Banglalink's existing licence and would comply with regulatory obligations, including Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. "Subject to regulatory approval, the testing is expected to commence in April 2026 and will focus on integrating Banglalink's terrestrial mobile service with Starlink's Direct-to-Cell satellites in Bangladesh. No commercial service will be offered to Banglalink's customers during the testing phase." Alongside the trial, the companies also urged the regulator to support necessary regulatory changes to enable satellite-based mobile services. The trial demonstrations will take place at mutually agreed locations within Banglalink's licensed service areas in Bangladesh and will operate within Banglalink's authorised frequency ranges. The companies highlighted the potential of satellite-to-mobile services to bridge the digital divide and ensure connectivity during emergencies. They added that the system would allow users to connect via widely available LTE devices. LTE (Long-Term Evolution) is a 4G mobile network technology that provides high-speed data for smartphones. Citing global use cases, the companies said the system had already been deployed in emergency situations. They also requested the commission to grant approval for the commercial launch immediately after the test and trial. Md Emdad Ul Bari, chairman of the BTRC, said they are assessing the letter and that a decision will be taken after obtaining the government's opinion on the matter. Unlike traditional mobile networks that rely on ground-based towers, Starlink's direct-to-cell technology uses satellites as cell towers in space. This allows ordinary mobile phones to connect directly, expanding coverage to areas with little or no ground infrastructure. In a statement yesterday, Banglalink announced a collaboration with Starlink Mobile to introduce the satellite-to-mobile service. Johan Buse, chief executive officer of Banglalink, said, "Connectivity is about care -- it matters most when it reaches people wherever they are. Some communities remain beyond the reach of traditional networks because of our unique geography. "By providing satellite-enabled coverage with Starlink, we aim to bridge those gaps and ensure people can stay connected, even in the most remote parts of the country."
Purdue announces SpaceX team as inaugural recipients of the Neil Armstrong Space Prize | WBIW
WEST LAFAYETTE - The 2026 Neil Armstrong Space Prize was announced Tuesday (April 21) at Purdue University, heralding the Falcon 9 Booster Landing Team as the inaugural winner of the Neil Armstrong Space Prize for cutting-edge work on the Falcon 9 reusable two-stage rocket system. Click here to view the presentation. The team is the first recipient of the international prize recognizing excellence over the past 10 years in space discovery, innovation, and human achievement. This transformative prize leverages Purdue's unparalleled space heritage, having produced numerous astronauts and pioneering aerospace education and research. The five-member team was nominated for their work in developing the Falcon 9 vertical landing capability, fundamentally changing the launch vehicle landscape. The SpaceX recipients are: The selection of the research team for the honor was announced during an event in the Herman and Heddy Kurz Atrium at Purdue's Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering. Attendees at the announcement event watched via livestream as the Neil Armstrong Space Prize recipients were surprised by the news of receiving the award. Amit Kshatriya, NASA associate administrator, and other leaders participated in the event. "Purdue alumnus Neil Armstrong took that small step and giant leap on the face of the moon in 1969," Purdue President Mung Chiang said. "Now as the dawn of space economy and the new frontier of human space exploration inspire us all, the Neil Armstrong Space Prize will recognize the most impactful steps and leaps each year." The inaugural Neil Armstrong Space Prize will be formally awarded in September during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., aligning with the America250 celebration and connecting Purdue's space leadership with this historic national milestone. The eponymous award honors aerospace pioneer and Purdue graduate Neil Armstrong (BS aeronautical engineering '55, honorary doctorate '70), who led the team of three American astronauts who were the first to land on the moon on July 20, 1969. Dan Dumbacher, chair of the Neil Armstrong Space Prize selection committee, said Falcon 9 last year had 164 launches, with one booster being used more than 30 times. "The reusability resulting from vertical landing has been key in reducing the cost of launching payloads," Dumbacher said. "This team made it happen." The research team was chosen from a long list of impressive nominees. "In the end, the deciding factor was what we felt like was the team's impact on humanity," said Dumbacher, a professor of engineering practice in Purdue's School of Aeronautics and Astronautics. "Their work has had a very clear impact and a very visible impact." The SpaceX team was honored in the award's Innovation category. Three categories of awards fall under the Neil Armstrong Space Prize, and each year, one or more of these categories might be awarded: Dumbacher said the Neil Armstrong Space Prize stretches internationally across the major areas of the modern space industry -- including government, defense, and commercial aspects -- and the goals set by each area. Nominees were received in all three categories under the Space Prize. Dumbacher also wanted to thank BryceTech for its support in the process development. Nominations received in 2025 were extensively reviewed and narrowed down to six finalists in January. The advisory committee is led by Kathleen Howell, Purdue's Hsu Lo Distinguished Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, with Henry Yang, chancellor emeritus at the University of California, Santa Barbara; and the late George Smoot III, formerly of the University of California, Berkeley, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The advisory committee joined Dumbacher and selection committee members Jim Free, an aerospace executive; Kathryn Lueders, a commercial space consultant and retired NASA Human Exploration and Space Operations associate administrator; Rob Meyerson, CEO and co-founder of Interlune Corp. and former president of Blue Origin; and Thomas Zurbuchen, a Swiss-American astrophysicist and ETH Zurich space director, to thoroughly revisit and discuss each nomination. A final nominee recommendation was passed along to Chiang and Arvind Raman, the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering, in March. Purdue leads all public institutions of higher learning in the number of alumni who have entered public and commercial space programs. Academic, government, and industrial partnerships -- including with NASA research centers and leading space economy industries -- serve as a university hallmark with collaborative efforts that have resulted in advances in hypersonics, advanced propulsion systems, in-space manufacturing, and lunar and planetary surface mobility, which are critical to space discovery, economic opportunity, and global security. Purdue will send five Boilermakers on a research journey into space aboard a Virgin Galactic suborbital flight, dubbed Purdue 1, in 2027. This groundbreaking flight will include teaching and real-time research on board, making Purdue the first university to operate in space. Known as the Cradle of Astronauts, Purdue has 30 alumni who have flown in space or been selected as NASA astronaut candidates.
SpaceX and Cursor team up to boost AI coding development
WASHINGTON -- AI coding platform Cursor is teaming up with SpaceX in an effort to ramp up the development of its artificial intelligence coding tools, the company announced. The startup said the partnership will allow it to expand its model training capabilities by tapping into advanced computing infrastructure, helping it to build more powerful versions of its AI systems. In a social media post, SpaceX founder Elon Musk said the combining of these two companies could allow them to "build the world's most useful" AI models. Cursor, which develops "agentic" coding models designed to assist with software development, said its progress has been closely tied to the amount of computing power available. Its initial model, Composer, launched less than a year ago, followed by newer versions that improved performance through expanded training and reinforcement learning. But the company said its growth has been limited by access to large-scale computing resources, which is a common challenge across the AI industry. Through the new partnership, Cursor will use infrastructure tied to SpaceX's affiliated AI company, xAI, including its "Colossus" system, to significantly scale up training. The company said increased compute capacity has already proven critical to improving its models, with each upgrade leading to more advanced capabilities at lower cost.
SpaceX and Cursor team up to boost AI coding development
WASHINGTON -- AI coding platform Cursor is teaming up with SpaceX in an effort to ramp up the development of its artificial intelligence coding tools, the company announced. The startup said the partnership will allow it to expand its model training capabilities by tapping into advanced computing infrastructure, helping it to build more powerful versions of its AI systems. In a social media post, SpaceX founder Elon Musk said the combining of these two companies could allow them to "build the world's most useful" AI models. Cursor, which develops "agentic" coding models designed to assist with software development, said its progress has been closely tied to the amount of computing power available. Its initial model, Composer, launched less than a year ago, followed by newer versions that improved performance through expanded training and reinforcement learning. But the company said its growth has been limited by access to large-scale computing resources, which is a common challenge across the AI industry. Through the new partnership, Cursor will use infrastructure tied to SpaceX's affiliated AI company, xAI, including its "Colossus" system, to significantly scale up training. The company said increased compute capacity has already proven critical to improving its models, with each upgrade leading to more advanced capabilities at lower cost.
SpaceX and Cursor team up to boost AI coding development
WASHINGTON -- AI coding platform Cursor is teaming up with SpaceX in an effort to ramp up the development of its artificial intelligence coding tools, the company announced. The startup said the partnership will allow it to expand its model training capabilities by tapping into advanced computing infrastructure, helping it to build more powerful versions of its AI systems. In a social media post, SpaceX founder Elon Musk said the combining of these two companies could allow them to "build the world's most useful" AI models. Cursor, which develops "agentic" coding models designed to assist with software development, said its progress has been closely tied to the amount of computing power available. Its initial model, Composer, launched less than a year ago, followed by newer versions that improved performance through expanded training and reinforcement learning. But the company said its growth has been limited by access to large-scale computing resources, which is a common challenge across the AI industry. Through the new partnership, Cursor will use infrastructure tied to SpaceX's affiliated AI company, xAI, including its "Colossus" system, to significantly scale up training. The company said increased compute capacity has already proven critical to improving its models, with each upgrade leading to more advanced capabilities at lower cost.
SpaceX and Cursor team up to boost AI coding development
WASHINGTON -- AI coding platform Cursor is teaming up with SpaceX in an effort to ramp up the development of its artificial intelligence coding tools, the company announced. The startup said the partnership will allow it to expand its model training capabilities by tapping into advanced computing infrastructure, helping it to build more powerful versions of its AI systems. In a social media post, SpaceX founder Elon Musk said the combining of these two companies could allow them to "build the world's most useful" AI models. Cursor, which develops "agentic" coding models designed to assist with software development, said its progress has been closely tied to the amount of computing power available. Its initial model, Composer, launched less than a year ago, followed by newer versions that improved performance through expanded training and reinforcement learning. But the company said its growth has been limited by access to large-scale computing resources, which is a common challenge across the AI industry. Through the new partnership, Cursor will use infrastructure tied to SpaceX's affiliated AI company, xAI, including its "Colossus" system, to significantly scale up training. The company said increased compute capacity has already proven critical to improving its models, with each upgrade leading to more advanced capabilities at lower cost.
