A bold new compensation plan at SpaceX is tying CEO Elon Musk’s pay to an extraordinary target—building a future on Mars.

According to reports, the package links financial rewards to long-term milestones including Mars colonization and even the development of space-based data centers. One of the most ambitious conditions reportedly envisions a future where up to one million people could live on the Red Planet.

The plan also intensifies the internal competition for Musk’s attention between SpaceX and Tesla, raising questions about priorities, feasibility, and corporate strategy.

SpaceX Ties Musk Compensation To Mars Colonization Goal

The global race to dominate artificial intelligence is intensifying, with the United States and China competing across technology, business and geopolitics. Now, Elon Musk has offered a striking view on how this race may unfold.In a post on X, Musk said China could emerge as the leader in artificial intelligence on Earth, while his own company SpaceX may lead in space.<figure class="image"><img src="https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/indiatoday/styles/medium_crop_simple/public/2026-03/screenshot_2026-03-19_at_4.20.34_pm.png?VersionId=tmYTtAoybv3zWbPHcNB5ngj09AXA3ZbG&amp;size=750:*" alt="Elon Musk post on X"></figure>

<h2>What exactly did Elon Musk said?</h2>Musk made the comment while replying to a discussion involving Bindu Reddy, CEO of Abacus AI, who had criticised Google’s progress in artificial intelligence.Responding to the debate, Musk wrote:“Google will win the AI race in the West, China on Earth and SpaceX in space.”While the comment appeared partly informal, it reflects broader trends in how different regions are approaching AI development.Why Musk believes China could leadChina and the United States are taking different paths in artificial intelligence.US-based companies such as Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google are investing heavily in large language models, cloud services and enterprise AI tools. Many of these systems are paid or restricted to specific users.In contrast, Chinese companies are focusing on wider accessibility. Firms such as Alibaba and startups like DeepSeek have released open-source or low-cost AI models. This approach allows developers and smaller businesses to use and modify AI tools more easily. Some analysts believe this could lead to faster adoption at scale, even if US models remain stronger in certain benchmarks.<h2>The idea of different winners in AI</h2>Musk’s comment suggests that the AI race may not have a single winner. Instead, different regions and companies could lead in different areas: China: broader AI adoption and deployment United States: advanced research and enterprise systems Space sector: emerging AI applications beyond Earth. He also hinted that the Western AI race could still be led by companies like Google.This reflects a more fragmented view of the AI ecosystem, where leadership depends on use cases rather than one global leader.<h2>SpaceX and the next frontier of AI</h2>Musk also pointed to space as a new arena for artificial intelligence. He has previously spoken about plans to combine xAI with SpaceX to build orbital AI data centres. Reports suggest such projects could be valued at around $1.25 trillion.These space-based systems would:Use solar energy for computingReduce energy costs compared to Earth-based data centresSupport satellite networks and deep-space missionsIf implemented, this could allow AI systems to operate beyond Earth, supporting autonomous spacecraft and future exploration missions.<h2>What this means for the global AI race</h2>The AI race is no longer limited to technology companies. It now involves governments, infrastructure, energy and global influence.China’s focus on accessibility and scale may help it expand AI usage quickly. Meanwhile, US firms continue to lead in advanced research and high-performance models. Musk’s remarks highlight a key idea: AI leadership may be divided across regions and industries rather than dominated by a single country. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, the competition between nations and companies is expected to shape not only technology, but also economic and strategic power in the years ahead.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Elon Musk said the global AI race may not have a single winner, suggesting China could lead AI on Earth, while SpaceX may dominate AI in space. 


The global race to dominate artificial intelligence is intensifying, with the United States and China competing across technology, business and geopolitics. Now, Elon Musk has offered a striking view on how this race may unfold. In a post on X, Musk said China could emerge as the leader in artificial intelligence on Earth, while his own company SpaceX may lead in space.

Elon Musk said the global AI race may not have a single winner, suggesting China could lead AI on Earth, while SpaceX may dominate AI in space.&nbsp;

‘Google will win the AI race in the West, China on Earth, and SpaceX in space,’ says Elon Musk

Elon Musk's SpaceX, as per reports, is stepping into a new and controversial area of defence technology by joining a Pentagon competition to develop autonomous drone swarming systems powered by artificial intelligence. The project will also involve Musk's AI company xAI. Here’s what the technology is, and why the Pentagon wants it.<h2>What is autonomous drone swarming?</h2>Drone swarming technology allows multiple, networked unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones to operate as a single intelligence unit rather than as individual machines. Instead of a human pilot controlling each device separately, software enables the drones to communicate with one another, adjust their movements in real time, and complete missions together.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-robots-need-your-body-would-you-work-for-an-ai-overlord-this-website-lets-machine-rent-humans-all-you-need-to-know-about-rentahuman-ai-1770455263542">'Robots need your body': Are you up to 'rent' yourself to Artificial Intelligence? Deets inside</a>The Pentagon’s latest competition, which is set to last six months, focuses on voice-controlled swarms. The goal is to build systems that can translate voice commands from military personnel into digital instructions that guide multiple drones.<h2>SpaceX and xAI enter the contest</h2>According to a Bloomberg report, citing people familiar with the effort, SpaceX and xAI are among a small group of companies selected for the Pentagon's $100 million prize competition. OpenAI is also a contender in the competition launched in January by the Defense Innovation Unit and the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group. The six-month contest will unfold in phases, beginning with software development and eventually moving to real-world testing.SpaceX has long worked as a defence contractor with the US military on rockets, satellite launches, and communications systems. However, building software for offensive drone operations would mark a new direction for the company.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-jesus-watches-over-her-whoops-disturbing-epstein-files-email-mocking-young-victim-s-faith-goes-viral-1771055911141">'Jesus watches over her… whoops': Disturbing Epstein files email mocking young victim’s faith goes viral</a><h2>Ethical and strategic concerns</h2>The project highlights the Pentagon’s push to integrate AI into warfare. A new defence strategy, 'AI Acceleration Strategy', released earlier this year, seeks to "unleash" AI into the battlefields, expanding the use of autonomous systems in planning, surveillance, and potential participation in operations involving lethal strikes.At the same time, AI-driven weapons raise serious questions. Large language models are known to be prone to bias, and Musk himself previously signed an open letter warning against "new tools for killing people". &nbsp;

Elon Musk’s SpaceX and xAI are now competing to build AI-powered drone swarms for the Pentagon, where multiple drones act like one coordinated “intelligent” weapon system. What does that mean? Scroll down to learn how it works.

Elon Musk's SpaceX, as per reports, is stepping into a new and controversial area of defence technology by joining a Pentagon competition to develop autonomous drone swarming systems powered by artificial intelligence. The project will also involve Musk's AI company xAI. Here’s what the technology is, and why the Pentagon wants it. What is autonomous drone swarming? Drone swarming technology allows multiple, networked unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones to operate as a single intelligence unit rather than as individual machines. Instead of a human pilot controlling each device separately, software enables the drones to communicate with one another, adjust their movements in real time, and complete missions together. Also read | 'Robots need your body': Are you up to 'rent' yourself to Artificial Intelligence? Deets inside The Pentagon’s latest competition, which is set to last six months, focuses on voice-controlled swarms. The goal is to build systems that can translate voice commands from military personnel into digital instructions that guide multiple drones. SpaceX and xAI enter the contest According to a Bloomberg report, citing people familiar with the effort, SpaceX and xAI are among a small group of companies selected for the Pentagon's $100 million prize competition. OpenAI is also a contender in the competition launched in January by the Defense Innovation Unit and the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group. The six-month contest will unfold in phases, beginning with software development and eventually moving to real-world testing. SpaceX has long worked as a defence contractor with the US military on rockets, satellite launches, and communications systems. However, building software for offensive drone operations would mark a new direction for the company. Also read | 'Jesus watches over her… whoops': Disturbing Epstein files email mocking young victim’s faith goes viral Ethical and strategic concerns The project highlights the Pentagon’s push to integrate AI into warfare. A new defence strategy, 'AI Acceleration Strategy', released earlier this year, seeks to "unleash" AI into the battlefields, expanding the use of autonomous systems in planning, surveillance, and potential participation in operations involving lethal strikes. At the same time, AI-driven weapons raise serious questions. Large language models are known to be prone to bias, and Musk himself previously signed an open letter warning against "new tools for killing people".

Elon Musk’s SpaceX and xAI are now competing to build AI-powered drone swarms for the Pentagon, where multiple drones act like one coordinated “intelligent” weapon system. What does that mean? Scroll down to learn how it works.

What is autonomous drone swarming tech? Musk's SpaceX, xAI bid in secret Pentagon competition | WION Explains

Four new astronauts have arrived at the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX rocket as part of the Crew-12 mission. The international team will take over operations after a previous crew returned early due to health concerns.

The successful docking marks another milestone in NASA and SpaceX’s ongoing commercial space partnership.

SpaceX Crew-12 Docks At International Space Station: Four New Astronauts Arrive Via SpaceX Rocket

In a major milestone for space exploration, NASA and SpaceX successfully launched the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday (Feb 13). A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, carrying four astronauts aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft Resilience.&nbsp;The spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the ISS on Saturday, February 14, at 3:15 PM EST (1:45 AM IST on Sunday), following a 34-hour journey. This arrival coincides perfectly with Valentine’s Day.&nbsp;A primary goal of the mission is to reinforce the ISS following the early return of the Crew-11 mission in January due to a health emergency. The arrival of Crew-12 will restore the station to its full seven-person complement as they join the Expedition 74 members already aboard.This launch also achieved a technical milestone: it was the first time SpaceX successfully launched and landed a crew-capable Falcon 9 booster at the same facility, Space Launch Complex 40, further demonstrating the rapid reusability and reliability of commercial spaceflight.<h2>The multinational crew</h2>The mission features a diverse team representing three different space agencies:&nbsp;Jessica Meir (NASA): Mission Commander. On her second trip to space, she previously made history by performing the first all-woman spacewalk.&nbsp;Jack Hathaway (NASA): Pilot. A US Navy Commander making his first spaceflight.&nbsp;Sophie Adenot (ESA): Mission Specialist. A French engineer and the first from her 2022 ESA astronaut class to fly; her portion of the mission is named "Epsilon."&nbsp;Andrey Fedyaev (Roscosmos): Mission Specialist. A Russian cosmonaut on his second long-duration mission.&nbsp;Scheduled for an eight-month stay, the crew will conduct over 200 experiments. Key research includes the "Venous Flow" study to understand blood clot risks in microgravity, investigating how pneumonia-causing bacteria affect heart tissue, testing on-demand IV fluid generation, and studying nitrogen-fixing microbes to improve sustainable food production for future Mars missions.

A primary goal of the mission is to reinforce the ISS following the early return of the Crew-11 mission in January due to a health emergency. The arrival of Crew-12 will restore the station to its full seven-person complement as they join the Expedition 74 members already aboard.

In a major milestone for space exploration, NASA and SpaceX successfully launched the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday (Feb 13). A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, carrying four astronauts aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft Resilience. The spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the ISS on Saturday, February 14, at 3:15 PM EST (1:45 AM IST on Sunday), following a 34-hour journey. This arrival coincides perfectly with Valentine’s Day. A primary goal of the mission is to reinforce the ISS following the early return of the Crew-11 mission in January due to a health emergency. The arrival of Crew-12 will restore the station to its full seven-person complement as they join the Expedition 74 members already aboard. This launch also achieved a technical milestone: it was the first time SpaceX successfully launched and landed a crew-capable Falcon 9 booster at the same facility, Space Launch Complex 40, further demonstrating the rapid reusability and reliability of commercial spaceflight. The multinational crew The mission features a diverse team representing three different space agencies: Jessica Meir (NASA): Mission Commander. On her second trip to space, she previously made history by performing the first all-woman spacewalk. Jack Hathaway (NASA): Pilot. A US Navy Commander making his first spaceflight. Sophie Adenot (ESA): Mission Specialist. A French engineer and the first from her 2022 ESA astronaut class to fly; her portion of the mission is named "Epsilon." Andrey Fedyaev (Roscosmos): Mission Specialist. A Russian cosmonaut on his second long-duration mission. Scheduled for an eight-month stay, the crew will conduct over 200 experiments. Key research includes the "Venous Flow" study to understand blood clot risks in microgravity, investigating how pneumonia-causing bacteria affect heart tissue, testing on-demand IV fluid generation, and studying nitrogen-fixing microbes to improve sustainable food production for future Mars missions.

A primary goal of the mission is to reinforce the ISS following the early return of the Crew-11 mission in January due to a health emergency. The arrival of Crew-12 will restore the station to its full seven-person complement as they join the Expedition 74 members already aboard.

SpaceX lifts off with four astronauts for Valentine’s Day International Space Station docking

NASA is preparing to send four astronauts to the International Space Station under its SpaceX Crew-12 mission, marking the 12th crew rotation flight under the Commercial Crew Programme. The mission will carry astronauts from the United States, Europe and Russia for an eight-month stay in orbit, focused on science, technology tests and station maintenance.The crew will travel aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft named Freedom, launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida.&nbsp;<h2>SpaceX Crew-12 mission</h2>Crew-12 is a long-duration mission to the International Space Station. The astronauts will join Expedition 74, living and working in space for around eight months.The mission will focus on research that supports future Moon and Mars missions and delivers benefits on Earth. This includes experiments on human health, plant growth, and new space technologies.The Dragon spacecraft used for Crew-12 has already flown multiple missions, including earlier NASA crew flights and private astronaut missions.&nbsp;<h2>Astronauts on Crew-12</h2>The mission brings together four crew members from different space agencies.NASA astronaut&nbsp;Jessica Meir is the mission commander. This will be her second spaceflight. She previously spent more than 200 days aboard the space station and took part in the first all-women spacewalks.NASA astronaut&nbsp;Jack Hathaway will serve as pilot. Crew-12 will be his first space mission. Hathaway is a US Navy commander with more than 2,500 flight hours.Joining them are&nbsp;Sophie Adenot from the European Space Agency and&nbsp;Andrey Fedyaev from Roscosmos, both serving as mission specialists. For Adenot, this will be her first spaceflight, while Fedyaev has already completed one long-duration mission aboard the ISS.&nbsp;<h2>What science Crew-12 will carry out in space</h2>During their stay, the astronauts will run a wide range of experiments. According to NASA, these include studies on pneumonia-causing bacteria to improve treatments, research on blood flow in microgravity, and tests to produce intravenous fluids on demand in space.The crew will also work on automated plant health monitoring and experiments involving plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes. These studies aim to improve food production for future deep-space missions.In addition, Crew-12 will help maintain the space station, support visiting cargo spacecraft and assist with crew handovers.&nbsp;<h2>How the launch and docking will happen</h2>After liftoff, the Falcon 9 rocket will push Dragon to speeds of about 17,500 miles per hour. The spacecraft will then perform a series of automated manoeuvres to dock with the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module.Although Dragon is designed to dock on its own, the crew can take manual control if needed. Once docked, the astronauts will be welcomed by the Expedition 74 crew already on board.&nbsp;<h2>Why Crew-12 matters for NASA’s future plans</h2>NASA says the International Space Station remains a key testbed for long-duration human spaceflight. Lessons from missions like Crew-12 help the agency prepare for the Artemis programme, which aims to return humans to the Moon and later send astronauts to Mars.As commercial companies handle routine trips to low Earth orbit, NASA is focusing more on deep-space exploration. Crew-12 is part of that transition, combining international cooperation, commercial spacecraft and long-term science in space.

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 will send four astronauts to the International Space Station for an eight-month mission focused on science, station upkeep and preparing for Moon and Mars missions.

NASA is preparing to send four astronauts to the International Space Station under its SpaceX Crew-12 mission, marking the 12th crew rotation flight under the Commercial Crew Programme. The mission will carry astronauts from the United States, Europe and Russia for an eight-month stay in orbit, focused on science, technology tests and station maintenance. The crew will travel aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft named Freedom, launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida. SpaceX Crew-12 mission Crew-12 is a long-duration mission to the International Space Station. The astronauts will join Expedition 74, living and working in space for around eight months. The mission will focus on research that supports future Moon and Mars missions and delivers benefits on Earth. This includes experiments on human health, plant growth, and new space technologies. The Dragon spacecraft used for Crew-12 has already flown multiple missions, including earlier NASA crew flights and private astronaut missions. Astronauts on Crew-12 The mission brings together four crew members from different space agencies. NASA astronaut Jessica Meir is the mission commander. This will be her second spaceflight. She previously spent more than 200 days aboard the space station and took part in the first all-women spacewalks. NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway will serve as pilot. Crew-12 will be his first space mission. Hathaway is a US Navy commander with more than 2,500 flight hours. Joining them are Sophie Adenot from the European Space Agency and Andrey Fedyaev from Roscosmos, both serving as mission specialists. For Adenot, this will be her first spaceflight, while Fedyaev has already completed one long-duration mission aboard the ISS. What science Crew-12 will carry out in space During their stay, the astronauts will run a wide range of experiments. According to NASA, these include studies on pneumonia-causing bacteria to improve treatments, research on blood flow in microgravity, and tests to produce intravenous fluids on demand in space. The crew will also work on automated plant health monitoring and experiments involving plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes. These studies aim to improve food production for future deep-space missions. In addition, Crew-12 will help maintain the space station, support visiting cargo spacecraft and assist with crew handovers. How the launch and docking will happen After liftoff, the Falcon 9 rocket will push Dragon to speeds of about 17,500 miles per hour. The spacecraft will then perform a series of automated manoeuvres to dock with the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module. Although Dragon is designed to dock on its own, the crew can take manual control if needed. Once docked, the astronauts will be welcomed by the Expedition 74 crew already on board. Why Crew-12 matters for NASA’s future plans NASA says the International Space Station remains a key testbed for long-duration human spaceflight. Lessons from missions like Crew-12 help the agency prepare for the Artemis programme, which aims to return humans to the Moon and later send astronauts to Mars. As commercial companies handle routine trips to low Earth orbit, NASA is focusing more on deep-space exploration. Crew-12 is part of that transition, combining international cooperation, commercial spacecraft and long-term science in space.

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 will send four astronauts to the International Space Station for an eight-month mission focused on science, station upkeep and preparing for Moon and Mars missions.

What is NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission: Everything you should know

Listen, just a few months back, Elon Musk was completely obsessed with Mars. The billionaire founder of SpaceX kept saying that Mars is humanity's future home, and he was dead serious about it. He even called our Moon a "distraction", can you imagine that? But something interesting happened recently. Out of nowhere, Elon made a shocking announcement on his social media X platform that SpaceX is now prioritizing Moon settlement before going to Mars. Now I want to share with you exactly why this dramatic shift is happening, and honestly, it makes a lot of sense when you really think about it.&nbsp;Here is the real thing: Elon never actually hated the Moon. The plan was always there somewhere in the background. But what changed is the timeline and the practical thinking. Let me explain this simply. Getting to Mars is like planning a wedding that takes 20 years to prepare. The problem is that Earth and Mars only align perfectly once every 26 months, and the journey itself takes six months. So the waiting period becomes super long. But the Moon? No, it is totally different. We can launch missions every 10 days, and reaching there takes only two days. This is like the difference between a local shop and a faraway mall, understand?&nbsp;The magic word here is "testing." Elon realized something very important: if SpaceX wants to perfect the technology of space settlement, they need to do it faster. With the Moon, they can launch missions repeatedly, make mistakes, learn from them, and improve everything in just months. With Mars, it could take decades to figure out what went wrong because you need to wait for the next launch window. This is actually very smart thinking. It is like learning to drive by practicing on empty roads first instead of jumping straight into highway traffic.&nbsp;Now here is the interesting part about resources. The Moon is sitting there with massive treasure locked inside. We are talking about water ice frozen in deep craters, rare earth minerals, metals like iron and titanium, and something called helium-3 that is worth billions. Recently, a company agreed to buy helium-3 from the Moon for around 300 million dollars per year. This is not some fantasy story; this is real business happening right now. The Moon has become a genuine economic opportunity, not just an adventure destination.&nbsp;Let me tell you about this electromagnetic mass driver thing that Elon is talking about. Basically, imagine a giant magnetic launcher on the Moon, like a cosmic catapult that uses magnetic force instead of rocket fuel. Because the Moon has weak gravity and no thick atmosphere, you can launch heavy objects into space much more easily from there. So the idea is to build factories on the Moon, use Moon materials to manufacture satellites, and then shoot them into deep space using this magnetic launcher. This way, you do not have to waste money bringing everything from Earth. It is like setting up a shop in the middle of a market instead of shipping products from far away.&nbsp;Here is something mind-blowing that Elon mentioned. If this Moon-based manufacturing works perfectly, humanity could send AI-powered satellites into space with the power capacity of 500 to 1000 terawatts every year. Now, think about what that means. There is something called the Kardashev scale that measures how advanced a civilization is based on how much energy it can control. Right now, humanity has not even reached level one on this scale. But with Moon manufacturing, we could be moving toward something that would make us genuinely advanced as a civilization. We could start using meaningful portions of the Sun's own energy. That is massive.&nbsp;But wait, there is another reason Elon is nervous about Mars right now. He recently said something that shows real concern: What if there is a natural disaster or a war that stops supply ships from Earth? If a Mars colony is completely dependent on Earth for supplies, and those supplies stop coming, everyone there dies. But a Moon colony could be self-growing and independent much faster because we can send rescue missions or supplies every 10 days if needed. This is not just about ambition anymore; this is about survival and making sure humanity does not put all its eggs in one basket. Look, Elon has not canceled Mars. He is saying that work on Mars will start in 5 or 6 years, and he is even predicting a crewed Mars mission by 2031. But the Moon comes first. It is the stepping stone, the practice ground, the economic foundation.&nbsp;The truth is that this shift from Mars to the Moon is actually the most practical decision Elon has made in a long time. It is faster, safer, more affordable, and it opens up real business opportunities. The Moon is not a distraction anymore; it is the smartest first step toward making humanity truly spacefaring. And honestly, that is genius-level planning.

Elon never actually hated the Moon. The plan was always there somewhere in the background. But what changed is the timeline and the practical thinking

Listen, just a few months back, Elon Musk was completely obsessed with Mars. The billionaire founder of SpaceX kept saying that Mars is humanity's future home, and he was dead serious about it. He even called our Moon a "distraction", can you imagine that? But something interesting happened recently. Out of nowhere, Elon made a shocking announcement on his social media X platform that SpaceX is now prioritizing Moon settlement before going to Mars. Now I want to share with you exactly why this dramatic shift is happening, and honestly, it makes a lot of sense when you really think about it. Here is the real thing: Elon never actually hated the Moon. The plan was always there somewhere in the background. But what changed is the timeline and the practical thinking. Let me explain this simply. Getting to Mars is like planning a wedding that takes 20 years to prepare. The problem is that Earth and Mars only align perfectly once every 26 months, and the journey itself takes six months. So the waiting period becomes super long. But the Moon? No, it is totally different. We can launch missions every 10 days, and reaching there takes only two days. This is like the difference between a local shop and a faraway mall, understand? The magic word here is "testing." Elon realized something very important: if SpaceX wants to perfect the technology of space settlement, they need to do it faster. With the Moon, they can launch missions repeatedly, make mistakes, learn from them, and improve everything in just months. With Mars, it could take decades to figure out what went wrong because you need to wait for the next launch window. This is actually very smart thinking. It is like learning to drive by practicing on empty roads first instead of jumping straight into highway traffic. Now here is the interesting part about resources. The Moon is sitting there with massive treasure locked inside. We are talking about water ice frozen in deep craters, rare earth minerals, metals like iron and titanium, and something called helium-3 that is worth billions. Recently, a company agreed to buy helium-3 from the Moon for around 300 million dollars per year. This is not some fantasy story; this is real business happening right now. The Moon has become a genuine economic opportunity, not just an adventure destination. Let me tell you about this electromagnetic mass driver thing that Elon is talking about. Basically, imagine a giant magnetic launcher on the Moon, like a cosmic catapult that uses magnetic force instead of rocket fuel. Because the Moon has weak gravity and no thick atmosphere, you can launch heavy objects into space much more easily from there. So the idea is to build factories on the Moon, use Moon materials to manufacture satellites, and then shoot them into deep space using this magnetic launcher. This way, you do not have to waste money bringing everything from Earth. It is like setting up a shop in the middle of a market instead of shipping products from far away. Here is something mind-blowing that Elon mentioned. If this Moon-based manufacturing works perfectly, humanity could send AI-powered satellites into space with the power capacity of 500 to 1000 terawatts every year. Now, think about what that means. There is something called the Kardashev scale that measures how advanced a civilization is based on how much energy it can control. Right now, humanity has not even reached level one on this scale. But with Moon manufacturing, we could be moving toward something that would make us genuinely advanced as a civilization. We could start using meaningful portions of the Sun's own energy. That is massive. But wait, there is another reason Elon is nervous about Mars right now. He recently said something that shows real concern: What if there is a natural disaster or a war that stops supply ships from Earth? If a Mars colony is completely dependent on Earth for supplies, and those supplies stop coming, everyone there dies. But a Moon colony could be self-growing and independent much faster because we can send rescue missions or supplies every 10 days if needed. This is not just about ambition anymore; this is about survival and making sure humanity does not put all its eggs in one basket. Look, Elon has not canceled Mars. He is saying that work on Mars will start in 5 or 6 years, and he is even predicting a crewed Mars mission by 2031. But the Moon comes first. It is the stepping stone, the practice ground, the economic foundation. The truth is that this shift from Mars to the Moon is actually the most practical decision Elon has made in a long time. It is faster, safer, more affordable, and it opens up real business opportunities. The Moon is not a distraction anymore; it is the smartest first step toward making humanity truly spacefaring. And honestly, that is genius-level planning.

Elon never actually hated the Moon. The plan was always there somewhere in the background. But what changed is the timeline and the practical thinking

Not a distraction: How the Moon became Musk's most practical bet

Elon Musk has taken another major step to unify his sprawling empire of companies. SpaceX, the rocket and satellite firm, is merging with xAI, the artificial intelligence startup founded by Musk. In a deal that could reshape both the space and AI industries.


Elon Musk Merges SpaceX With xAI

SpaceX has halted Russia’s unauthorised use of its Starlink satellite network in Ukraine, preventing Moscow from accessing critical communications technology, experts say this move highlights the growing role of private tech companies in modern warfare and geopolitics, analysts discuss the strategic implications for Ukraine’s defense, international relations, and Russia’s military operations.

SpaceX Stops Russia’s Unauthorised Use of Starlink in Ukraine

Three companies led by Elon Musk SpaceX, Tesla and artificial intelligence firm xAI are reportedly exploring a possible merger, according to reports by Bloomberg and Reuters. The discussions are said to be at an early stage, but they point to Musk’s growing effort to bring his businesses closer together.Sources cited by the reports say the talks could lead to one or more of the companies being folded into SpaceX, especially as the rocket maker prepares for a possible public listing later this year.<h2>Two merger options under discussion</h2>According to Bloomberg, one scenario being considered involves a merger between SpaceX and Tesla. Another option, reported by Reuters, suggests SpaceX could merge with xAI, the company behind the Grok chatbot and owner of social media platform X.Reuters added that a SpaceX-xAI merger could happen before SpaceX’s planned initial public offering. Such a move would place SpaceX rockets, Starlink satellites, X, and Grok under a single corporate structure.Neither SpaceX nor xAI has commented publicly on the reports.<h2>New filings hint at preparation</h2>While the companies have not confirmed the talks, recent regulatory filings have raised questions. Two new entities - K2 Merger Sub Inc. and K2 Merger Sub 2 LLC - were registered in Nevada on January 21. According to corporate records, such entities are often created to support merger activity.These filings suggest that Musk may be keeping multiple options open as he looks at restructuring his business empire.<h2>Why a merger could make sense</h2>Analysts say a SpaceX and xAI combination could support Musk’s stated interest in placing data centres in space using Starlink and SpaceX infrastructure. A SpaceX-Tesla merger could also connect Tesla’s energy storage business with future space-based computing projects.The idea of closer integration is not new. According to The Wall Street Journal, SpaceX invested $2 billion in xAI last year. Tesla also disclosed this week that it has invested $2 billion in the AI firm.In 2024, xAI acquired X in a deal that Musk said valued xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion. SpaceX, founded in 2002, was valued at around $800 billion in a recent secondary share sale, making it the most valuable private company in the United States, according to reports.Musk is considering taking SpaceX publicA report by the Financial Times said Musk is considering taking SpaceX public as early as June. However, timelines around Musk-led projects have often shifted in the past.For now, the merger discussions remain unconfirmed. But if they move forward, the deal could reshape how Musk’s companies operate - bringing rockets, electric cars, satellites, social media and AI under a single strategic vision.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Tesla and xAI are reportedly in early talks over a possible merger, according to Reuters. Options include folding Tesla or xAI into SpaceX ahead of a potential IPO, bringing rockets, AI and social media under one structure.

Three companies led by Elon Musk SpaceX, Tesla and artificial intelligence firm xAI are reportedly exploring a possible merger, according to reports by Bloomberg and Reuters. The discussions are said to be at an early stage, but they point to Musk’s growing effort to bring his businesses closer together. Sources cited by the reports say the talks could lead to one or more of the companies being folded into SpaceX, especially as the rocket maker prepares for a possible public listing later this year. Two merger options under discussion According to Bloomberg, one scenario being considered involves a merger between SpaceX and Tesla. Another option, reported by Reuters, suggests SpaceX could merge with xAI, the company behind the Grok chatbot and owner of social media platform X. Reuters added that a SpaceX-xAI merger could happen before SpaceX’s planned initial public offering. Such a move would place SpaceX rockets, Starlink satellites, X, and Grok under a single corporate structure. Neither SpaceX nor xAI has commented publicly on the reports. New filings hint at preparation While the companies have not confirmed the talks, recent regulatory filings have raised questions. Two new entities - K2 Merger Sub Inc. and K2 Merger Sub 2 LLC - were registered in Nevada on January 21. According to corporate records, such entities are often created to support merger activity. These filings suggest that Musk may be keeping multiple options open as he looks at restructuring his business empire. Why a merger could make sense Analysts say a SpaceX and xAI combination could support Musk’s stated interest in placing data centres in space using Starlink and SpaceX infrastructure. A SpaceX-Tesla merger could also connect Tesla’s energy storage business with future space-based computing projects. The idea of closer integration is not new. According to The Wall Street Journal, SpaceX invested $2 billion in xAI last year. Tesla also disclosed this week that it has invested $2 billion in the AI firm. In 2024, xAI acquired X in a deal that Musk said valued xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion. SpaceX, founded in 2002, was valued at around $800 billion in a recent secondary share sale, making it the most valuable private company in the United States, according to reports. Musk is considering taking SpaceX public A report by the Financial Times said Musk is considering taking SpaceX public as early as June. However, timelines around Musk-led projects have often shifted in the past. For now, the merger discussions remain unconfirmed. But if they move forward, the deal could reshape how Musk’s companies operate - bringing rockets, electric cars, satellites, social media and AI under a single strategic vision.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Tesla and xAI are reportedly in early talks over a possible merger, according to Reuters. Options include folding Tesla or xAI into SpaceX ahead of a potential IPO, bringing rockets, AI and social media under one structure.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Tesla and xAI may merge: What we know so far

Space agency NASA said on Wednesday that a crew of four astronauts aboard the international space station (ISS) will return earlier than expected owing to a medical emergency in a SpaceX spacecraft.

SpaceX to Carry Out Nasa’s First-Ever Medical Evacuation From ISS

US businessman Elon Musk and SpaceX have activated Starlink satellite internet in Iran amid a nationwide blackout imposed by the regime during ongoing anti-government protests as of January 9, 2026, according to online reports.

Iranians Using Starlink to Defy Internet Curbs  Risking Death Penalty & Imprisonment

ISRO’s LVM3 rocket is set to attempt its heaviest launch ever, carrying the 6,100 kg BlueBird satellite built by US-based AST SpaceMobile. The mission aims to deliver space-based cellular broadband that can connect directly to smartphones, without ground towers.

This landmark launch positions ISRO at the center of a fast-growing, multi-billion-dollar space communications race dominated by players like SpaceX. With massive commercial and strategic stakes, the mission marks a defining moment for India’s rise as a trusted global launch partner and a major force in next-generation satellite technology.

American Satellite Trusts Indian Rocket for ISRO’s Most Powerful Mission Yet 

Tesla CEO Elon Musk's net worth soared to 749 billion dollars after a major legal victory. A U.S. high court restored a controversial pay deal first agreed back in 2018. The Delaware Supreme Court ruled Friday that the pay deal must be restored, overturning a lower court decision that had scrapped it two years ago. Elon Musk has now become the first person in history to be worth more than 700 billion dollars.

Elon Musk's Net Worth Tops $700 Billion

A major legal victory for Tesla CEO Elon Musk. A U.S. high court has restored a controversial pay deal first agreed back in 2018. The Delaware Supreme Court ruled Friday that the pay deal must be restored, overturning a lower court decision that had scrapped it two years ago.

Elon Musk’s 2018 Pay Deal Originally Worth $56 Billion Restored

Rocket Lab's partially reusable rocket Neutron has completed final qualification tests. With this, the company is gearing up to compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9. It is its newest launch vehicle, which is expected to fly for the first time early next year. With Neutron, the company has taken a new approach to launch vehicle reusability, with its fairing opening and closing like a clamshell, releasing the vehicle's entire second stage and payload. It is a Hungry-Hippo-style fairing, acting exactly like the popular board game. Rocket Lab's workhorse Electron rocket has already gained a hold in the small launch market. SpaceX has its own recovery and refurbishment plans with Falcon, with its booster stage carrying the second stage and payload to a point where the second stage accelerates the payload to its target orbit. The booster lands back vertically for reuse, while the fairing halves fall independently of each other and the first stage into the ocean.<h2>Neutron can stand up to SpaceX's Falcon 9</h2>Rocket Lab's Neutron, on the other hand, has a first stage that opens up and releases the vehicle's entire second stage and payload. The two halves then close back together and fall, and can be reused. With a smaller payload and lower cost, but similar reusability, Neutron can outrival SpaceX's Falcon 9. Now that the qualification tests are done, the fairing section has been sent to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Virginia, where it will be added to the rocket.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-latest-update-methanol-hydrogen-cyanide-nucleus-coma-1765510271069">3I/ATLAS is chemically unusual, with methanol raging not just in the nucleus</a> &nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Hungry Hippo is on the move 🦛 With qualification and acceptance testing complete, Neutron&#39;s fixed reusable fairing and upper module is on its way to LC-3. <a href="https://t.co/SlRwCjMYkP">pic.twitter.com/SlRwCjMYkP</a>&mdash; Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) <a href="https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1998205332368298127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Rocket Lab calls Neutron "the world’s largest carbon composite launch vehicle", adding that it underwent extensive tests. To be able to pass the tests, it had to withstand external forces as extreme as 275,000 pounds, and a rapid cycling of its open and close functions to check the durability of its motors. After it is attached to the first stage, Rocket Lab will perform a series of prelaunch tests, such as a static hotfire of the nine Archimedes engines. "A rocket like Neutron has never been built before, and we're doing it at a pace and price point that's going to bring the innovation and competition needed in today's industry," Rocket Lab Neutron VP Shaun D'Mello said in a December 8 statement.

Rocket Lab has completed final qualification tests on Neutron, its partially reusable rocket that can compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9 someday. Its first stage opens like a giant jaw, releasing the second stage, after which it closes and falls back. 

Rocket Lab's partially reusable rocket Neutron has completed final qualification tests. With this, the company is gearing up to compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9. It is its newest launch vehicle, which is expected to fly for the first time early next year. With Neutron, the company has taken a new approach to launch vehicle reusability, with its fairing opening and closing like a clamshell, releasing the vehicle's entire second stage and payload. It is a Hungry-Hippo-style fairing, acting exactly like the popular board game. Rocket Lab's workhorse Electron rocket has already gained a hold in the small launch market. SpaceX has its own recovery and refurbishment plans with Falcon, with its booster stage carrying the second stage and payload to a point where the second stage accelerates the payload to its target orbit. The booster lands back vertically for reuse, while the fairing halves fall independently of each other and the first stage into the ocean. Neutron can stand up to SpaceX's Falcon 9 Rocket Lab's Neutron, on the other hand, has a first stage that opens up and releases the vehicle's entire second stage and payload. The two halves then close back together and fall, and can be reused. With a smaller payload and lower cost, but similar reusability, Neutron can outrival SpaceX's Falcon 9. Now that the qualification tests are done, the fairing section has been sent to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Virginia, where it will be added to the rocket. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS is chemically unusual, with methanol raging not just in the nucleus

Rocket Lab has completed final qualification tests on Neutron, its partially reusable rocket that can compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9 someday. Its first stage opens like a giant jaw, releasing the second stage, after which it closes and falls back.&nbsp;

'Hungry-Hippo' fairing for Neutron rocket passes tests to take on SpaceX's Falcon 9

A Bloomberg report has claimed that Elon Musk’s space company SpaceX could be valued at $1.5 trillion, the biggest ever in IPO history, if and when it launches on the stock market in 2026. The report on Tuesday (Dec 9), citing unnamed insiders, claimed that SpaceX is raising more than $30 billion from the IPO, which is likely to come either in the middle of or late 2026.<h2>What did the report say on the SpaceX IPO?</h2>The Bloomberg report pegged the fundraising amount significantly more than $30 billion as speculated earlier, targeting a valuation of about $1.5 trillion for the entire company. That would place SpaceX near the market value of Saudi Aramco at the time of its record 2019 listing, when the oil giant raised $29.4 billion at a $1.7 trillion valuation. The report said the IPO could shift to 2027 based on market conditions. Proceeds of the IPO would be used to develop space-based data centres, including purchasing the chips required to run them, it said.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-to-offer-insider-shares-elon-musk-clarifies-amid-market-buzz-over-800b-valuation-1765090614016">SpaceX to offer insider shares? Elon Musk clarifies amid market buzz over $800B valuation</a><h2>SpaceX financials are solid</h2>The report suggested that SpaceX may generate about $15 billion in revenue in 2025, rising to between $22 billion and $24 billion in 2026, mostly its satellite-internet service Starlink. In a current secondary offering, employees are being allowed to sell around $2 billion worth of stock at a per-share price of roughly $420. That implied a valuation above the $800 billion mark for the company.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/spacex-megarocket-most-powerful-launch-vehicle-ever-loud-cheers-for-musk-1756264425620/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/spacex-megarocket-most-powerful-launch-vehicle-ever-loud-cheers-for-musk-1756264425620/embed</a>Earlier reports had valued SpaceX at about $800 billion based on insider share sales, but the new Bloomberg-led figure of $1.5 trillion applies specifically to the targeted IPO valuation. As of now, SpaceX or Musk have not confirmed or denied the Bloomberg report, and all details of the IPO in the report remain based on unnamed insiders.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/russian-cosmonaut-oleg-artemyev-kicked-off-iss-mission-for-snooping-on-spacex-tech-in-california-1764821040754">Russian cosmonaut with 560 days of space time kicked off ISS mission for taking photos of SpaceX tech: Report</a><h2>What did Musk say about SpaceX valuation?</h2>Musk has previously said that an $800 billion valuation figure from secondary share sales was “not accurate”, though he acknowledged the existence of the share-sale structure. He has not commented on the latest reported $1.5 trillion IPO valuation.Musk has said that SpaceX has been cash-flow positive for years and that employee share buybacks have occurred roughly every two years without requiring external fundraising. He has also been historically reluctant to take SpaceX public, as he prefers focusing on long-term projects like Mars colonisation rather than responding to shareholder pressures.&nbsp;The details of the SpaceX listing remain speculative, and the timeline, structure and valuation could change depending on regulatory issues and market conditions.

Elon Musk's SpaceX is planning a 2026 IPO targeting a $1.5 trillion valuation, which could be a world record, according to a Bloomberg report. The timing, valuation and structure remain unconfirmed and may shift based on market conditions. Here is what the reports are saying


A Bloomberg report has claimed that Elon Musk’s space company SpaceX could be valued at $1.5 trillion, the biggest ever in IPO history, if and when it launches on the stock market in 2026. The report on Tuesday (Dec 9), citing unnamed insiders, claimed that SpaceX is raising more than $30 billion from the IPO, which is likely to come either in the middle of or late 2026. What did the report say on the SpaceX IPO? The Bloomberg report pegged the fundraising amount significantly more than $30 billion as speculated earlier, targeting a valuation of about $1.5 trillion for the entire company. That would place SpaceX near the market value of Saudi Aramco at the time of its record 2019 listing, when the oil giant raised $29.4 billion at a $1.7 trillion valuation. The report said the IPO could shift to 2027 based on market conditions. Proceeds of the IPO would be used to develop space-based data centres, including purchasing the chips required to run them, it said. Also read: SpaceX to offer insider shares? Elon Musk clarifies amid market buzz over $800B valuation SpaceX financials are solid The report suggested that SpaceX may generate about $15 billion in revenue in 2025, rising to between $22 billion and $24 billion in 2026, mostly its satellite-internet service Starlink. In a current secondary offering, employees are being allowed to sell around $2 billion worth of stock at a per-share price of roughly $420. That implied a valuation above the $800 billion mark for the company. https://www.wionews.com/videos/spacex-megarocket-most-powerful-launch-vehicle-ever-loud-cheers-for-musk-1756264425620/embed Earlier reports had valued SpaceX at about $800 billion based on insider share sales, but the new Bloomberg-led figure of $1.5 trillion applies specifically to the targeted IPO valuation. As of now, SpaceX or Musk have not confirmed or denied the Bloomberg report, and all details of the IPO in the report remain based on unnamed insiders. Also read: Russian cosmonaut with 560 days of space time kicked off ISS mission for taking photos of SpaceX tech: Report What did Musk say about SpaceX valuation? Musk has previously said that an $800 billion valuation figure from secondary share sales was “not accurate”, though he acknowledged the existence of the share-sale structure. He has not commented on the latest reported $1.5 trillion IPO valuation. Musk has said that SpaceX has been cash-flow positive for years and that employee share buybacks have occurred roughly every two years without requiring external fundraising. He has also been historically reluctant to take SpaceX public, as he prefers focusing on long-term projects like Mars colonisation rather than responding to shareholder pressures. The details of the SpaceX listing remain speculative, and the timeline, structure and valuation could change depending on regulatory issues and market conditions.

Elon Musk's SpaceX is planning a 2026 IPO targeting a $1.5 trillion valuation, which could be a world record, according to a Bloomberg report. The timing, valuation and structure remain unconfirmed and may shift based on market conditions. Here is what the reports are saying &nbsp;

SpaceX BIGGEST LAUNCH could be on stock market: 2026 IPO to value Elon Musk’s firm at $1.5 trillion, claims report

The Founder &amp; CEO of SpaceX, Elon Musk, refuted the reports claiming that his rocket and satellite maker SpaceX is seeking a valuation of $800 billion through a share sale. In a post on X, Musk noted that SpaceX has generated positive cash flow for many years and conducts share buybacks twice annually.&nbsp;“There has been a lot of press claiming SpaceX is raising money at $800B, which is not accurate,” Elon Musk said in a post on his social media platform X. “SpaceX has been cash flow positive for many years and does periodic stock buybacks twice a year to provide liquidity for employees and investors,” he said.&nbsp;“Valuation increments are a function of progress with Starship and Starlink and securing global direct-to-cell spectrum that greatly increases our addressable market. And one other thing that is arguably most significant by far,” he added.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">There has been a lot of press claiming <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a> is raising money at $800B, which is not accurate. SpaceX has been cash flow positive for many years and does periodic stock buybacks twice a year to provide liquidity for employees and investors. Valuation increments are a…&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1997399963509150089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Musk's response came after the news came to light following the sources hinting to Bloomberg News that SpaceX is gearing up to offer insider shares in a deal that will value the firm at almost $800 billion. The report also indicated that the sale would enable some employees and investors to liquidate part of their stake.<h3>SpaceX to Offer Insider Shares?</h3>Earlier, on December 5, a source told Bloomberg News that SpaceX is reportedly preparing a new insider shares sale in a transaction that would value Elon Musk’s rocket and satellite maker at more than OpenAI’s record-setting $500 billion valuation. Another source indicated that the proposed share price, above $400 per share, would place SpaceX’s valuation between $750 billion and $800 billion, though final terms are still subject to change.&nbsp;The board of the company discussed the tender offer on Thursday at its Starbase hub in Texas. If finalised, it would make SpaceX once again the most valuable privately held company in the world, surpassing the past record of $500 billion that ChatGPT owner OpenAI set in October.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the valuation marks a sharp jump in the company from July, when shares were priced at $212 each during a funding round that valued the company at $400 billion. As the world’s leading rocket operator, SpaceX continues to dominate the aerospace sector with its Falcon 9 missions that regularly send satellites and astronauts to orbit.

Elon Musk's response came after the news came to light that SpaceX is gearing up to offer insider shares in a deal that will value the firm at almost $800 billion. The report also indicated that the sale would enable some employees and investors to liquidate part of their stake.

The Founder & CEO of SpaceX, Elon Musk, refuted the reports claiming that his rocket and satellite maker SpaceX is seeking a valuation of $800 billion through a share sale. In a post on X, Musk noted that SpaceX has generated positive cash flow for many years and conducts share buybacks twice annually. “There has been a lot of press claiming SpaceX is raising money at $800B, which is not accurate,” Elon Musk said in a post on his social media platform X. “SpaceX has been cash flow positive for many years and does periodic stock buybacks twice a year to provide liquidity for employees and investors,” he said. “Valuation increments are a function of progress with Starship and Starlink and securing global direct-to-cell spectrum that greatly increases our addressable market. And one other thing that is arguably most significant by far,” he added.

Elon Musk's response came after the news came to light that SpaceX is gearing up to offer insider shares in a deal that will value the firm at almost $800 billion. The report also indicated that the sale would enable some employees and investors to liquidate part of their stake.

SpaceX to offer insider shares? Elon Musk clarifies amid market buzz over $800B valuation

From SpaceX’s Super Heavy to NASA’s SLS are pushing launch power to record levels. SpaceX's Super Heavy generates 16.7 million pounds thrust, world's most powerful rocket. Saturn V delivered 7.5 million pounds during Apollo missions. SLS produces 8.8 million pounds thrust. 


From SpaceX’s Super Heavy to NASA’s SLS are pushing launch power to record levels. SpaceX's Super Heavy generates 16.7 million pounds thrust, world's most powerful rocket. Saturn V delivered 7.5 million pounds during Apollo missions. SLS produces 8.8 million pounds thrust.&nbsp;

‘Ranked by thrust’: Top 10 most powerful rockets ever built

Oleg Artemyev, a Russian cosmonaut scheduled to fly to the International Space Station in February 2026, has been replaced by Andrei Fedyayev. This was reportedly done after Oleg was found violating US national security regulations, "photographing SpaceX documentation" and then exporting the "classified information" using his phone. While Roscosmos said in a statement that Oleg was switched out because he was transferred to another job, according to Russian investigative site The Insider, this is not the real reason. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/russia-left-without-crew-launch-pad-for-first-time-in-nearly-70-years-after-damage-at-baikonur-1764645682574">Roscosmos </a>officials said on December 2 in a statement that "the decision was made in connection with Oleg Artemyev’s transfer to another job." He was part of SpaceX's Crew 12, a four-person mission to the ISS.&nbsp;The Insider reported that the 54-year-old was removed for violations of ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations). The law seeks to safeguard national security by restricting the dissemination of sensitive information and technology. "The cosmonaut allegedly photographed SpaceX documentation and then 'used his phone' to export classified information," The Insider wrote in Russian, citing Gregory Trishkin, a launch analyst.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/baikonur-accident-russia-iss-what-roscosmos-said-1764753546989">After Baikonur accident, could Russia choose to abandon the ISS? Here's what it said in the past</a> &nbsp;<h2>A Telegram channel and a launch analyst cited the same reason for Russian cosmonaut's removal</h2>Trishkin told the publication, "My contacts confirm that a violation occurred and an interdepartmental investigation has been launched." He added that removing someone two and a half months before a mission without giving a proper reason is an "indirect sign." "It's very difficult to imagine a situation in which an experienced cosmonaut could inadvertently commit such a gross violation," he added. A Russian spaceflight channel on Telegram called "Yura, Forgive Me!" also reported the matter on December 1, stating that Artemyev committed the transgression last week when he was training at SpaceX's headquarters in Hawthorne, California. He is alleged to have taken photos of SpaceX engines and other sensitive tech with his phone.&nbsp;Artemyev has been to the ISS three times, spending several months at the space laboratory each time. He has recorded a total of 560 days in space after taking the trips in March 2014, March 2018 and March 2022.

A Russian cosmonaut has allegedly been removed from SpaceXs Crew 12 flight to the ISS after he was found taking pictures of SpaceX engines and other sensitive technology. Meanwhile, Roscosmos has presented a different version and reason for the decision. 

Oleg Artemyev, a Russian cosmonaut scheduled to fly to the International Space Station in February 2026, has been replaced by Andrei Fedyayev. This was reportedly done after Oleg was found violating US national security regulations, "photographing SpaceX documentation" and then exporting the "classified information" using his phone. While Roscosmos said in a statement that Oleg was switched out because he was transferred to another job, according to Russian investigative site The Insider, this is not the real reason. Roscosmos officials said on December 2 in a statement that "the decision was made in connection with Oleg Artemyev’s transfer to another job." He was part of SpaceX's Crew 12, a four-person mission to the ISS. The Insider reported that the 54-year-old was removed for violations of ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations). The law seeks to safeguard national security by restricting the dissemination of sensitive information and technology. "The cosmonaut allegedly photographed SpaceX documentation and then 'used his phone' to export classified information," The Insider wrote in Russian, citing Gregory Trishkin, a launch analyst. Also Read: After Baikonur accident, could Russia choose to abandon the ISS? Here's what it said in the past A Telegram channel and a launch analyst cited the same reason for Russian cosmonaut's removal Trishkin told the publication, "My contacts confirm that a violation occurred and an interdepartmental investigation has been launched." He added that removing someone two and a half months before a mission without giving a proper reason is an "indirect sign." "It's very difficult to imagine a situation in which an experienced cosmonaut could inadvertently commit such a gross violation," he added. A Russian spaceflight channel on Telegram called "Yura, Forgive Me!" also reported the matter on December 1, stating that Artemyev committed the transgression last week when he was training at SpaceX's headquarters in Hawthorne, California. He is alleged to have taken photos of SpaceX engines and other sensitive tech with his phone. Artemyev has been to the ISS three times, spending several months at the space laboratory each time. He has recorded a total of 560 days in space after taking the trips in March 2014, March 2018 and March 2022.

A Russian cosmonaut has allegedly been removed from SpaceX's Crew 12 flight to the ISS after he was found taking pictures of SpaceX engines and other sensitive technology. Meanwhile, Roscosmos has presented a different version and reason for the decision.&nbsp;

Russian cosmonaut with 560 days of space time kicked off ISS mission for taking photos of SpaceX tech: Report

The ISS will retire around 2030, with SpaceX leading its safe deorbit mission. NASA and private firms plan new space stations and missions, while SpaceX’s Starship aims for Moon and Mars exploration, marking a new era in space travel and commercial space stations.

The ISS will retire around 2030, with SpaceX leading its safe deorbit mission. NASA and private firms plan new space stations and missions, while SpaceX’s Starship aims for Moon and Mars exploration, marking a new era in space travel and commercial space stations.

What role will SpaceX play after the ISS retires?

On September 6, 2025, astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy captured an unprecedented image of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket transiting the Sun’s chromosphere. Taken from a Florida wildlife refuge eight miles west of Cape Canaveral, the photograph shows the rocket’s silhouette cutting through the Sun’s turbulent plasma in hydrogen-alpha light. This is believed to be the first image of its kind, revealing intricate details of the chromosphere, the dynamic, superheated layer just above the Sun’s surface, never before seen in such a context. Described the shot, McCarthy told PetaPixel, ‘a different perspective on space,’ blending science and art to inspire curiosity about the universe.<h2>Technical Mastery and Precise Timing</h2>Unlike traditional white-light solar images, which show a relatively flat solar disk, McCarthy’s hydrogen-alpha photograph captures fiery shockwaves in the Sun’s plasma, enhanced by light scattered and diffused through the rocket’s plume. To achieve this, McCarthy used a specially designed solar telescope and an astronomy camera, while also recording a secondary image in white light with a Canon R5 camera and solar filter. The launch in question was part of the Starlink 10-57 mission, marking the 27th flight of Booster 1069 carrying 28 satellites to low Earth orbit. McCarthy relied on careful coordination with fellow rocket photographers to calculate the precise position, timing, and angle needed to capture the rocket’s transit across the Sun.<h2>Science Meets Art in a Unique Perspective</h2>The resulting image is more than just a photograph; it is a rare intersection of science and artistry. The Falcon 9 appears as a crisp, black silhouette cutting across a vibrant, restless Sun, with the chromosphere’s molten plasma providing a dramatic, almost surreal backdrop. The hydrogen-alpha wavelength highlights the Sun’s turbulent features in a way white light cannot, making this capture a historic achievement in astrophotography and space observation. McCarthy’s photograph not only illustrates the technical prowess required for such a shot but also underscores the poetic convergence of human technology and the fiery grandeur of our nearest star, creating a visual record that may never be replicated.&nbsp;

This is believed to be the first image of its kind, revealing intricate details of the chromosphere, the dynamic, superheated layer just above the Sun’s surface, never before seen in such a context. 

On September 6, 2025, astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy captured an unprecedented image of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket transiting the Sun’s chromosphere. Taken from a Florida wildlife refuge eight miles west of Cape Canaveral, the photograph shows the rocket’s silhouette cutting through the Sun’s turbulent plasma in hydrogen-alpha light. This is believed to be the first image of its kind, revealing intricate details of the chromosphere, the dynamic, superheated layer just above the Sun’s surface, never before seen in such a context. Described the shot, McCarthy told PetaPixel, ‘a different perspective on space,’ blending science and art to inspire curiosity about the universe. Technical Mastery and Precise Timing Unlike traditional white-light solar images, which show a relatively flat solar disk, McCarthy’s hydrogen-alpha photograph captures fiery shockwaves in the Sun’s plasma, enhanced by light scattered and diffused through the rocket’s plume. To achieve this, McCarthy used a specially designed solar telescope and an astronomy camera, while also recording a secondary image in white light with a Canon R5 camera and solar filter. The launch in question was part of the Starlink 10-57 mission, marking the 27th flight of Booster 1069 carrying 28 satellites to low Earth orbit. McCarthy relied on careful coordination with fellow rocket photographers to calculate the precise position, timing, and angle needed to capture the rocket’s transit across the Sun. Science Meets Art in a Unique Perspective The resulting image is more than just a photograph; it is a rare intersection of science and artistry. The Falcon 9 appears as a crisp, black silhouette cutting across a vibrant, restless Sun, with the chromosphere’s molten plasma providing a dramatic, almost surreal backdrop. The hydrogen-alpha wavelength highlights the Sun’s turbulent features in a way white light cannot, making this capture a historic achievement in astrophotography and space observation. McCarthy’s photograph not only illustrates the technical prowess required for such a shot but also underscores the poetic convergence of human technology and the fiery grandeur of our nearest star, creating a visual record that may never be replicated.

This is believed to be the first image of its kind, revealing intricate details of the chromosphere, the dynamic, superheated layer just above the Sun’s surface, never before seen in such a context.&nbsp;

Historic! Astrophotographer captures SpaceX Falcon 9 cutting through solar chromosphere

The internet service of Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has been restored after it suffered a widespread service outage on Monday morning, according to tracking website Downdetector.com. Reports of Starlink disruptions in the US dropped below 1,000 by 1:15 a.m. ET (0515 GMT), down sharply from a peak of over 43,000 earlier, Downdetector said. The status of outage updates was reported from multiple sources.&nbsp;Earlier, the company website came up with a message that Starlink is experiencing a service outage. “Starlink is currently experiencing a service outage. Our team is investigating,” a message posted on the company’s website read. As per the outage tracking website Downdetector, over 43,000 users in the United States were affected by 12:35 a.m. ET.<h3>Starlink's use in remote areas and conflict zones</h3>Starlink provides internet services via a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, which is used in remote areas and conflict zones globally. Basically, it is operated by SpaceX of Elon Musk. This internet system is widely used in rural and remote areas that lack traditional infrastructure, and it has also played a significant role in conflict zones, causing disruption in communications networks.&nbsp;Over 40,000 users flagged internet disruptions on Downdetector, which noted the outage was largely concentrated in US cities such as Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago and Washington.&nbsp;A comparable disruption had occurred in July, when Starlink issued an apology after thousands were left without service for several hours. “We understand how important connectivity is and apologise for the disruption,” the company’s official X account wrote on 24 July.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-accused-of-wage-theft-tesla-sued-for-allegedly-preferring-h-1b-visa-workers-over-americans-1757829417154">Elon Musk accused of wage theft? Tesla sued for allegedly preferring H-1B visa workers over Americans</a>

Internet disruptions of Starlink in the US dropped below 1,000 by 1:15 a.m. ET (0515 GMT), down sharply from a peak of over 43,000 earlier, Downdetector said. The status of outage updates was reported from multiple sources.

The internet service of Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has been restored after it suffered a widespread service outage on Monday morning, according to tracking website Downdetector.com. Reports of Starlink disruptions in the US dropped below 1,000 by 1:15 a.m. ET (0515 GMT), down sharply from a peak of over 43,000 earlier, Downdetector said. The status of outage updates was reported from multiple sources. Earlier, the company website came up with a message that Starlink is experiencing a service outage. “Starlink is currently experiencing a service outage. Our team is investigating,” a message posted on the company’s website read. As per the outage tracking website Downdetector, over 43,000 users in the United States were affected by 12:35 a.m. ET. Starlink's use in remote areas and conflict zones Starlink provides internet services via a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, which is used in remote areas and conflict zones globally. Basically, it is operated by SpaceX of Elon Musk. This internet system is widely used in rural and remote areas that lack traditional infrastructure, and it has also played a significant role in conflict zones, causing disruption in communications networks. Over 40,000 users flagged internet disruptions on Downdetector, which noted the outage was largely concentrated in US cities such as Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago and Washington. A comparable disruption had occurred in July, when Starlink issued an apology after thousands were left without service for several hours. “We understand how important connectivity is and apologise for the disruption,” the company’s official X account wrote on 24 July. Also read: Elon Musk accused of wage theft? Tesla sued for allegedly preferring H-1B visa workers over Americans

Internet disruptions of Starlink in the US dropped below 1,000 by 1:15 a.m. ET (0515 GMT), down sharply from a peak of over 43,000 earlier, Downdetector said. The status of outage updates was reported from multiple sources.

Elon Musk's Starlink service restored after major outage hits over 43,000 users in US

LIGO records the grandest black hole crash yet, confirming theories by Einstein and Hawking and bringing cosmic mysteries down to Earth
Watch the story to know the wonder of cosmic discovery while making complex physics accessible through vivid imagery and compelling storytelling, focusing on the human triumph of scientific prediction coming true decades later.

Two Black Holes Crash Together Proving Einstein, Hawking Correct

Indian space tech firms Bengaluru-based Pixxel and Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space have placed a total of four satellites in space via a commercial launch contract with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the world leader in rocketry. In simple terms, the Indian firms paid for slots on America’s Falcon 9 rocket, which ferried them to space, more like a ride share to space.&nbsp;The launch of these four Indian-origin satellites, among others, was carried out by SpaceX shortly after midnight hour Indian time, Wednesday, 27th August.<h2>What type of satellites did the Indian firms launch?</h2>&nbsp;According to Dhruva Space, their LEAP-1 satellite marks the company’s first commercial mission, featuring advanced AI and hyperspectral payloads from Australia-based Akula Tech and Esper Satellites. These payloads have been hosted on Dhruva’s indigenously developed P-30 satellite structure.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to Pixxel, they launched three Firefly hyperspectral Earth-imaging satellites on this SpaceX mission. Pixxel already has three Firefly satellites in space and with this latest launch, their fleet has grown to six.&nbsp;In simple terms, hyperspectral Earth-imaging captures pictures of our home planet using sensors that collect information far beyond what can be seen by human eyes or conventional cameras. Instead of the standard Red, Green, Blue, hyperspectral imaging captures hundreds of colours (wavelengths). This high amount of detail can help identify plants, minerals, water quality, etc. This data can be used to determine crop health, mapping cities, spotting oil spills etc.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Why did Indian firms choose Musk’s SpaceX instead of India’s ISRO?&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;While the firms themselves haven’t revealed why they chose to pay and fly SpaceX, it is widely acknowledged that cost, reliability, launch frequency, rocket availability, and other commercial reasons are stacked up in SpaceX’s favour. SpaceX is a global leader in the space launch business and has completed 134 launches of various kinds in 2024. At the time of writing, SpaceX has launched its workhorse Falcon 9 more than 100 times in 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;In comparison, ISRO has been performing five to seven launches in recent years. Therefore, a customer (Indian or foreigner) who wishes to fly his satellite to space would prefer to fly at the next available rocket, than to wait for an ISRO rocket. Notably, ISRO has not flown a single commercial mission it 2025. While ISRO did announce that it would launch American private firm’s BlueBird satellite this year, that launch has been pushed to January-March 2026, as per ISRO Chief Dr. V. Narayanan.While, ISRO did launch the NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite in July, that was a scientific collaboration and not a business venture. NASA and ISRO bore the costs of their respective part of the NISAR mission.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>In the era of SpaceX, Indian rockets are not cost-competitive</h2>&nbsp;It is claimed that Indian rockets and space missions are cheaper than Hollywood films. However, these direct numerical comparisons are neither scientific nor rooted in reality. In the world of commercial rocketry, the real metric is cost-per-kilogramme to orbit. In simple terms, per-kg cost on larger rockets is cheaper than per-kg cost on smaller rockets. This is broadly similar to why a train ticket costs far lesser than undertaking the same journey via car. The larger the rocket, the more it can carry, therefore the per-kg cost reduces.&nbsp;While ISRO’'s commercial arm NSIL does not officially reveal its per-kg cost, it is well established in the market that ISRO’s rockets are not cost competitive in a world dominated by Elon Musk’'s SpaceX. Industry estimates have clearly shown that the per-kg cost on SpaceX’s massive Falcon-series of re-usable rockets are less than half of the per-kg cost charged by India. Naturally, satellite firms would choose the cheaper option offered by SpaceX.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>ISRO’s workhorse PSLV rocket failed in 2025, but we still don’t know why</h2>&nbsp;In May 2025, ISRO launched the PSLV-C61 rocket carrying an advanced Indian Earth-imaging satellite EOS-09. In a rare occurrence, ISRO's workhorse PSLV rocket failed mid-flight, which led to the loss of rocket and the satellite.&nbsp;&nbsp;As a taxpayer-funded space agency, ISRO has had the culture of publicly releasing its Failure Analysis Committee(FAC) reports following mission failures. When the strategic satellite GISAT-1 failed in the year 2021, ISRO had publicly released an FAC report.&nbsp;However, ISRO has not made the PSLV-C61 FAC report public. Space industry veterans say that the FAC reports not being publicly shared affects the image of the space agency, as several foreign entities entrust ISRO to launch their satellites and expect a high level of accountability and transparency from the launching agency.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>ISRO’s sluggish rate of launches and related concerns&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;In the eight months of 2025, ISRO has done only three launches from home soil. The only complete successful outcome in these three was the NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite that was launched in July.&nbsp;&nbsp;Last year, the Indian government announced that there would be a total of 30 space launches from India in 15 months (between January 2024 and March 2025). In the said 15 months, only 7 launches were executed. This means that only 23% of the launch target is being met.&nbsp;This affects Indi’'s reputation in the highly-competitive and lucrative launch market.&nbsp;&nbsp;While India has executed three space launches in the eight months of 2025, US has executed 120 launches, China has executed 49, and Russia has executed 11. While India’s launch activity cannot directly be compared with that of global space powers, it must be noted that India’s launch pace is sluggish by even its own standards.&nbsp;&nbsp;Simply put, global commercial space launch industry is quite like the airline industry- the ones that operate more flights get more bookings from customers, the ones that barely/rarely fly don’t get bookings. Therefore, only those who launch rockets frequently can attract customers.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a recent video message during India's National Space Day on 23rd August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged that there are barely five or six rocket launches from Indian soil in a year. He expressed his wish that the Indian private sector must come forward, develop capability to launch fifty rockets in a year by the year 2030. The Prime Minister, who directly oversees the Department of Space (ISRO’s parent body), envisioned that there must be a launch every week.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently acknowledged that there are barely five or six rocket launches from India in a year and expressed the wish that the Indian private sector come forward and develop the capability to launch fifty rockets in a year by the year 2030.

Indian space tech firms Bengaluru-based Pixxel and Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space have placed a total of four satellites in space via a commercial launch contract with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the world leader in rocketry. In simple terms, the Indian firms paid for slots on America’s Falcon 9 rocket, which ferried them to space, more like a ride share to space. The launch of these four Indian-origin satellites, among others, was carried out by SpaceX shortly after midnight hour Indian time, Wednesday, 27th August. What type of satellites did the Indian firms launch? According to Dhruva Space, their LEAP-1 satellite marks the company’s first commercial mission, featuring advanced AI and hyperspectral payloads from Australia-based Akula Tech and Esper Satellites. These payloads have been hosted on Dhruva’s indigenously developed P-30 satellite structure. According to Pixxel, they launched three Firefly hyperspectral Earth-imaging satellites on this SpaceX mission. Pixxel already has three Firefly satellites in space and with this latest launch, their fleet has grown to six. In simple terms, hyperspectral Earth-imaging captures pictures of our home planet using sensors that collect information far beyond what can be seen by human eyes or conventional cameras. Instead of the standard Red, Green, Blue, hyperspectral imaging captures hundreds of colours (wavelengths). This high amount of detail can help identify plants, minerals, water quality, etc. This data can be used to determine crop health, mapping cities, spotting oil spills etc. Why did Indian firms choose Musk’s SpaceX instead of India’s ISRO? While the firms themselves haven’t revealed why they chose to pay and fly SpaceX, it is widely acknowledged that cost, reliability, launch frequency, rocket availability, and other commercial reasons are stacked up in SpaceX’s favour. SpaceX is a global leader in the space launch business and has completed 134 launches of various kinds in 2024. At the time of writing, SpaceX has launched its workhorse Falcon 9 more than 100 times in 2025. In comparison, ISRO has been performing five to seven launches in recent years. Therefore, a customer (Indian or foreigner) who wishes to fly his satellite to space would prefer to fly at the next available rocket, than to wait for an ISRO rocket. Notably, ISRO has not flown a single commercial mission it 2025. While ISRO did announce that it would launch American private firm’s BlueBird satellite this year, that launch has been pushed to January-March 2026, as per ISRO Chief Dr. V. Narayanan. While, ISRO did launch the NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite in July, that was a scientific collaboration and not a business venture. NASA and ISRO bore the costs of their respective part of the NISAR mission. In the era of SpaceX, Indian rockets are not cost-competitive It is claimed that Indian rockets and space missions are cheaper than Hollywood films. However, these direct numerical comparisons are neither scientific nor rooted in reality. In the world of commercial rocketry, the real metric is cost-per-kilogramme to orbit. In simple terms, per-kg cost on larger rockets is cheaper than per-kg cost on smaller rockets. This is broadly similar to why a train ticket costs far lesser than undertaking the same journey via car. The larger the rocket, the more it can carry, therefore the per-kg cost reduces. While ISRO’'s commercial arm NSIL does not officially reveal its per-kg cost, it is well established in the market that ISRO’s rockets are not cost competitive in a world dominated by Elon Musk’'s SpaceX. Industry estimates have clearly shown that the per-kg cost on SpaceX’s massive Falcon-series of re-usable rockets are less than half of the per-kg cost charged by India. Naturally, satellite firms would choose the cheaper option offered by SpaceX. ISRO’s workhorse PSLV rocket failed in 2025, but we still don’t know why In May 2025, ISRO launched the PSLV-C61 rocket carrying an advanced Indian Earth-imaging satellite EOS-09. In a rare occurrence, ISRO's workhorse PSLV rocket failed mid-flight, which led to the loss of rocket and the satellite. As a taxpayer-funded space agency, ISRO has had the culture of publicly releasing its Failure Analysis Committee(FAC) reports following mission failures. When the strategic satellite GISAT-1 failed in the year 2021, ISRO had publicly released an FAC report. However, ISRO has not made the PSLV-C61 FAC report public. Space industry veterans say that the FAC reports not being publicly shared affects the image of the space agency, as several foreign entities entrust ISRO to launch their satellites and expect a high level of accountability and transparency from the launching agency. ISRO’s sluggish rate of launches and related concerns In the eight months of 2025, ISRO has done only three launches from home soil. The only complete successful outcome in these three was the NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite that was launched in July. Last year, the Indian government announced that there would be a total of 30 space launches from India in 15 months (between January 2024 and March 2025). In the said 15 months, only 7 launches were executed. This means that only 23% of the launch target is being met. This affects Indi’'s reputation in the highly-competitive and lucrative launch market. While India has executed three space launches in the eight months of 2025, US has executed 120 launches, China has executed 49, and Russia has executed 11. While India’s launch activity cannot directly be compared with that of global space powers, it must be noted that India’s launch pace is sluggish by even its own standards. Simply put, global commercial space launch industry is quite like the airline industry- the ones that operate more flights get more bookings from customers, the ones that barely/rarely fly don’t get bookings. Therefore, only those who launch rockets frequently can attract customers. In a recent video message during India's National Space Day on 23rd August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged that there are barely five or six rocket launches from Indian soil in a year. He expressed his wish that the Indian private sector must come forward, develop capability to launch fifty rockets in a year by the year 2030. The Prime Minister, who directly oversees the Department of Space (ISRO’s parent body), envisioned that there must be a launch every week.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently acknowledged that there are barely five or six rocket launches from India in a year and expressed the wish that the Indian private sector come forward and develop the capability to launch fifty rockets in a year by the year 2030.

Why are Indian firms picking, paying SpaceX over ISRO to launch satellites?

SpaceX launched its massive Super Heavy-Starship rocket on August 26, 2025, achieving a key milestone after previous failures. Despite minor reentry damage, both stages completed their missions with controlled splashdowns in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

Spacex launches super heavy-starship on successful test flight | Musk gets applause

Spacex megarocket: Most powerful launch vehicle ever? | Loud cheers for musk

For the second time in as many days, SpaceX has called off the launch of its massive Starship rocket in Texas. The company was forced to stand down once again on Monday (Aug 25) evening, this time due to bad weather. This comes less than 24 hours after a separate launch attempt was scrubbed because of a liquid oxygen leak. Starship, stacked on its Super Heavy booster, towers 397 feet (121 meters) is a behemoth, taller than the Statue of Liberty. It is central to Elon Musk's vision of reusable rockets capable of carrying people to the Moon and Mars. The 403-foot behemoth was supposed to blast off from Starbase in Texas at 7.30 pm local time (0030 GMT) for its tenth test flight.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/is-musk-s-dream-rocket-cursed-space-x-scrubs-megarocket-starship-s-10th-test-amid-string-of-explosions-and-failures-1756083270563">Is Musk's dream rocket cursed? Space X scrubs megarocket Starship's 10th test amid string of explosions and failures</a><h2>Why did SpaceX cancel Starship's latest launch attempt?</h2>On X, the company said that it was “Standing down from today’s flight test attempt due to weather.” It added that the “Starship team is determining the next best available opportunity to fly”.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Standing down from today’s flight test attempt due to weather. Starship team is determining the next best available opportunity to fly&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1960130754714935426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>SpaceX's string of failures grows</h2>The latest delay piles onto a string of high-profile failures. Starship's upper stage has exploded in all three of its test flights this year, with debris falling over Caribbean islands in two cases and one stage breaking apart after reaching space. Another blew up on the ground during a June static fire test. So far, the rocket hasn't managed to deliver a payload to orbit or return its upper stage intact. However, Musk remains unfazed. Replying to a user on X on Sunday, Musk predicted, “In about 6 or 7 years, there will be days where Starship launches more than 24 times in 24 hours.”Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/jd-vance-doesn-t-know-history-us-vp-sparks-backlash-after-claiming-wwii-ended-with-negotiation-while-defending-trump-s-ukraine-plan-1756113223188">JD Vance labelled 'ignoramus' for claiming WWII ended in 'negotiations' while defending Trump</a><h2>Starship: Humanity's dream of reaching Mars</h2>US President Donald Trump's former DOGE chief, Elon Musk, as per AFP, has pegged SpaceX's entire future to the entirely reusable rocket, planning to eventually phase out the workhorse Falcon rockets in favour of Starship. NASA, too, has tapped it for its first crewed lunar mission since Apollo, tentatively set for 2027. Despite the setbacks, SpaceX is sticking to its "fail fast, learn fast" approach, pushing ahead with test after test. The company has managed to successfully catch Starship's massive lower stage booster with "chopstick" launch tower arms three times.Still, critics are starting to wonder if Musk's most ambitious gamble is wobbling."I think there is a lot of pressure on this mission," space analyst Dallas Kasaboski told AFP. "We've had so many tests and it hasn't proven itself reliable -- the successes have not exceeded the failures." Others, like Will Lockett, a former engineer turned commentator, have gone further, questioning whether the whole Starship concept is "fundamentally flawed". &nbsp;

Elon Musk's bad luck continues as megarocket Starship is forced to ground again, this time due to bad weather. Here's all you need to know.

For the second time in as many days, SpaceX has called off the launch of its massive Starship rocket in Texas. The company was forced to stand down once again on Monday (Aug 25) evening, this time due to bad weather. This comes less than 24 hours after a separate launch attempt was scrubbed because of a liquid oxygen leak. Starship, stacked on its Super Heavy booster, towers 397 feet (121 meters) is a behemoth, taller than the Statue of Liberty. It is central to Elon Musk's vision of reusable rockets capable of carrying people to the Moon and Mars. The 403-foot behemoth was supposed to blast off from Starbase in Texas at 7.30 pm local time (0030 GMT) for its tenth test flight. Also read | Is Musk's dream rocket cursed? Space X scrubs megarocket Starship's 10th test amid string of explosions and failures Why did SpaceX cancel Starship's latest launch attempt? On X, the company said that it was “Standing down from today’s flight test attempt due to weather.” It added that the “Starship team is determining the next best available opportunity to fly”.

Elon Musk's bad luck continues as megarocket Starship is forced to ground again, this time due to bad weather. Here's all you need to know.

Elon Musk’s Starship grounded again: SpaceX scraps Texas launch for second time in 2 days

After postponing the launch of its 10th flight test of Starship, Elon Musk’s SpaceX is eyeing another window to launch the world’s biggest rocket on Monday (Aug 25) evening. The space company is developing the 400-foot Starship rocket for a crewed mission to Mars. This comes after the launch was scrubbed just minutes before the rocket was set to take off from the company’s launch pad in South Texas on Sunday (Aug 24).In a post on X, SpaceX wrote, “Standing down from today's tenth flight of Starship to allow time to troubleshoot an issue with ground systems.”<h2>When will Starship’s 10th flight test launch take place?</h2>The launch, which was originally scheduled for Sunday, will now take place on Monday at 6:30 pm CT, according to the official website of SpaceX. The launch attempt will mark a critical milestone in Musk’s Mars ambitions. The company is aiming to recover both the booster and the upper-stage Starship spacecraft in the test flight.<h2>Earlier launches</h2>Two test flights earlier this year ended up exploding following the launch. Three months earlier, Starship and its Super Heavy booster were both lost after lifting off from the company’s Starbase facility in Texas.A week earlier, SpaceX unveiled the redesigned fins to guide the Super Heavy booster back to land. According to the company, the new components are 50 per cent larger and stronger than earlier versions.<h2>Musk’s vision faces setback</h2>Musk’s space company secured a multi-billion-dollar contract with NASA as part of the space agency’s Artemis program, which is aiming to send astronauts to the Moon. However, the failed tests of Starship and other factors have pushed the mission back from December 2025 to September 2026.Meanwhile, Musk said earlier this year that Starship would launch to Mars as early as next year, with the aircraft carrying Tesla’s humanoid robot Optimus.Musk’s ultimate Mars dream involves building a fleet of several thousand Starships that will help establish a self-sufficient human colony on Mars by 2050. &nbsp;

A week earlier, SpaceX unveiled the redesigned fins to guide the Super Heavy booster back to land. According to the company, the new components are 50 per cent larger and stronger than earlier versions.

After postponing the launch of its 10th flight test of Starship, Elon Musk’s SpaceX is eyeing another window to launch the world’s biggest rocket on Monday (Aug 25) evening. The space company is developing the 400-foot Starship rocket for a crewed mission to Mars. This comes after the launch was scrubbed just minutes before the rocket was set to take off from the company’s launch pad in South Texas on Sunday (Aug 24). In a post on X, SpaceX wrote, “Standing down from today's tenth flight of Starship to allow time to troubleshoot an issue with ground systems.” When will Starship’s 10th flight test launch take place? The launch, which was originally scheduled for Sunday, will now take place on Monday at 6:30 pm CT, according to the official website of SpaceX. The launch attempt will mark a critical milestone in Musk’s Mars ambitions. The company is aiming to recover both the booster and the upper-stage Starship spacecraft in the test flight. Earlier launches Two test flights earlier this year ended up exploding following the launch. Three months earlier, Starship and its Super Heavy booster were both lost after lifting off from the company’s Starbase facility in Texas. A week earlier, SpaceX unveiled the redesigned fins to guide the Super Heavy booster back to land. According to the company, the new components are 50 per cent larger and stronger than earlier versions. Musk’s vision faces setback Musk’s space company secured a multi-billion-dollar contract with NASA as part of the space agency’s Artemis program, which is aiming to send astronauts to the Moon. However, the failed tests of Starship and other factors have pushed the mission back from December 2025 to September 2026. Meanwhile, Musk said earlier this year that Starship would launch to Mars as early as next year, with the aircraft carrying Tesla’s humanoid robot Optimus. Musk’s ultimate Mars dream involves building a fleet of several thousand Starships that will help establish a self-sufficient human colony on Mars by 2050.

A week earlier, SpaceX unveiled the redesigned fins to guide the Super Heavy booster back to land. According to the company, the new components are 50 per cent larger and stronger than earlier versions.

Musk’s SpaceX to attempt 10th Starship launch Monday after delay – Check details

Elon Musk's SpaceX hit pause on its latest Starship test flight Sunday (Aug 24), scrubbing the much-hyped launch just minutes before liftoff, saying it had things to troubleshoot. The cancellation marked yet another setback for Elon Musk's giant rocket — the one he insists will one day carry people to the Moon and eventually Mars. The 403-foot behemoth was supposed to blast off from Starbase in Texas at 6:30 pm local time (2330 GMT) for its tenth test flight. Musk himself had teased the launch an hour earlier, posting "Starship 10 launching tonight" on X. But despite the rocket already being fuelled, SpaceX abruptly called it off just 15 minutes before launch.<h2>Why was the SpaceX launch cancelled?</h2>On X, the space company said, "Standing down from today's tenth flight of Starship to allow time to troubleshoot an issue with ground systems". However, it did not elaborate on what issue it needed to troubleshoot.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Standing down from today's tenth flight of Starship to allow time to troubleshoot an issue with ground systems— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1959755893324865963?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

For now, the cancelled launch could be rescheduled as early as Monday or Tuesday, according to local road closure notices near Starbase.&nbsp;<h2>SpaceX's string of failures grows</h2>The latest delay piles onto a string of high-profile failures. Starship's upper stage has exploded in all three of its test flights this year, with debris falling over Caribbean islands in two cases and one stage breaking apart after reaching space. Another blew up on the ground during a June static fire test. So far, the rocket hasn't managed to deliver a payload to orbit or return its upper stage intact.That's a problem, because Starship isn't just Musk's passion project — NASA is banking on a version of it to land astronauts on the Moon.<h2>Starship: Humanity's dream of reaching Mars</h2>US President Donald Trump's former DOGE chief Elon Musk, as per AFP, has pegged SpaceX's entire future to the entirely reusable rocket, planning to eventually phase out the workhorse Falcon rockets in favour of Starship.Despite the setbacks, SpaceX is sticking to its "fail fast, learn fast" approach, pushing ahead with test after test. The company has managed to successfully catch Starship's massive lower stage booster with "chopstick" launch tower arms three times.Still, critics are starting to wonder if Musk's most ambitious gamble is wobbling."I think there is a lot of pressure on this mission," space analyst Dallas Kasaboski told AFP. "We've had so many tests and it hasn't proven itself reliable -- the successes have not exceeded the failures." Others, like Will Lockett, a former engineer turned commentator, have gone further, questioning whether the whole Starship concept is "fundamentally flawed".

The 10th flight of Starship, Elon Musk's dream megarocket, which he claims would one day take humanity to Mars, was cancelled over the need to “troubleshoot” some issues. This follows a string of explosions and failures of the SpaceX rocket. All you need to know. 

Elon Musk's SpaceX hit pause on its latest Starship test flight Sunday (Aug 24), scrubbing the much-hyped launch just minutes before liftoff, saying it had things to troubleshoot. The cancellation marked yet another setback for Elon Musk's giant rocket — the one he insists will one day carry people to the Moon and eventually Mars. The 403-foot behemoth was supposed to blast off from Starbase in Texas at 6:30 pm local time (2330 GMT) for its tenth test flight. Musk himself had teased the launch an hour earlier, posting "Starship 10 launching tonight" on X. But despite the rocket already being fuelled, SpaceX abruptly called it off just 15 minutes before launch. Why was the SpaceX launch cancelled? On X, the space company said, "Standing down from today's tenth flight of Starship to allow time to troubleshoot an issue with ground systems". However, it did not elaborate on what issue it needed to troubleshoot.

The 10th flight of Starship, Elon Musk's dream megarocket, which he claims would one day take humanity to Mars, was cancelled over the need to “troubleshoot” some issues. This follows a string of explosions and failures of the SpaceX rocket. All you need to know.&nbsp;

Is Musk's dream rocket cursed? Space X scrubs megarocket Starship's 10th test amid string of explosions and failures

ISRO spotted a dangerous crack in the Falcon-9’s oxidiser line just hours before lift-off. Their demand for full repair and testing delayed the launch but saved lives. Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission succeeded only because India insisted on safety.


ISRO detected a critical fuel leak SpaceX missed

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