logo
In rare team-up, Elon Musk's SpaceX launches batch of 24 Amazon's Kuiper satellites

In rare team-up, Elon Musk's SpaceX launches batch of 24 Amazon's Kuiper satellites

Indian Express16-07-2025
Elon Musk-owned SpaceX has aided rival Amazon in the fierce satcom race by successfully launching the next batch of Kuiper internet satellites into orbit on Wednesday, July 16.
The Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, US, at approximately 2:18 am ET (11:48 am India time) with 24 of Amazon's Kuiper satellites on-board the SpaceX rocket. The launch was part of the mission dubbed KF-01.
'Successful deployment of all KF-01 satellites confirmed,' wrote SpaceX in a post on X. With the recent launch, Amazon Kuiper now has a total of 78 low Earth constellation (LEO) satellites in-orbit. Its plans involve placing more than 3,200 internet satellites in low Earth orbit to form a first-generation constellation network and provide satellite-based internet.
Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, has a network comprising around 8,000 satellites.
Though the two firms are primary competitors in the satellite internet market, the rare collaboration with SpaceX signals Kuiper's rush to deploy half of its initial constellation because the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has required the company to have at least 1,600 satellites in orbit by the end of July 2026.
Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/3lB7Zz4S2b
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 16, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
In 2023, Amazon faced a lawsuit from shareholders for not considering SpaceX as a potential contractor to help dole out its first batch of internet satellites using Falcon 9, which is said to be its most reliable rocket.
Two months later, the Jeff Bezos-founded company inked a three-year deal with SpaceX for satellite launches. Kuiper also has similar arrangements with other launch providers such as United Launch Alliance (ULA), Arianespace, and Blue Origin (Bezos' other company).
While Blue Origin has built a booster rocket called Glenn, it has only flown once so far and the company reportedly failed to recover the booster. The second launch of Blue Origin's rocket is scheduled to take place on August 15.
Deployment of 26 @Starlink satellites confirmed pic.twitter.com/I68Pa2PTIh
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 16, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Meanwhile, Space on Tuesday, July 14, launched 26 of its own Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit. The lift off was at its base in southern California, US. With around 8,000 active Starlink satellites in orbit already, SpaceX has a megaconstellation for offering satellite-based internet. The company plans to deploy an additional 30,000 spacecraft, but it has received regulatory approval to launch only 12,000 units at present.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Wall Street Live: S&P 500, Nasdaq up, Dow Jones dips as investors assess earnings; Tesla sheds 9%, Alphabet jumps 3%
Wall Street Live: S&P 500, Nasdaq up, Dow Jones dips as investors assess earnings; Tesla sheds 9%, Alphabet jumps 3%

Mint

time28 minutes ago

  • Mint

Wall Street Live: S&P 500, Nasdaq up, Dow Jones dips as investors assess earnings; Tesla sheds 9%, Alphabet jumps 3%

US stock indices moved in different directions on Thursday with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq rising at the open as investors assessed tech earnings, while the Dow Jones declined on losses in shares of IBM and Honeywell. As of 10 AM Eastern Time, the S&P 500 was 0.2% higher, The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite was 0.2% higher. At the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 233.9 points, or 0.52%, to 44776.41. The S&P 500 rose 9.7 points, or 0.15%, to 6368.6, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 63.8 points, or 0.30%, to 21083.818. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year US Treasury fell to 4.40%. Shares of Google-parent Alphabet rallied and Tesla tumbled sharply after the two companies reported earnings on Wednesday. Alphabet stock jumped 3.1% after the company delivered a solid profit for the second quarter. Tesla stock shed 9.2% after Elon Musk's electric vehicle maker posted quarterly results that were roughly in line with Wall Street estimates. Chipotle Mexican Grill stock fell 12% despite the burrito chain reported a profit for the second quarter. IBM shares slumped 10.4% even though it reported a stronger profit than expected. American Airlines stock sank 7.9% despite reporting a stronger profit than expected. Honeywell lost 2.8% despite beating Wall Street expectations for the second quarter results. Gold prices fell on Thursday as trade deals optimism lifted risk appetite. By 9:41 AM ET (1340 GMT), spot gold was down 0.8% at $3,362.35 per ounce. US gold futures dropped 0.9% to $3,367.40. Among other metals, spot silver slipped 1% to $38.87 per ounce, palladium dropped 2.2% to $1,247.68 and platinum fell 0.8% to $1,400.18. Oil prices gained on Thursday, buoyed by optimism over US trade talks.

Tesla drops 9% after earnings miss — Elon Musk loses $12 billion amid historic revenue decline
Tesla drops 9% after earnings miss — Elon Musk loses $12 billion amid historic revenue decline

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Tesla drops 9% after earnings miss — Elon Musk loses $12 billion amid historic revenue decline

Tesla Stock Drops Sharply After Q2 Earnings Disappoint - Tesla shares dropped nearly 9% on Wednesday after the electric vehicle giant released its second-quarter earnings report, which showed a 12% year-over-year revenue decline—its steepest drop in over a decade. The company reported $22.5 billion in revenue, missing Wall Street expectations and raising concerns about the company's short-term growth outlook. This unexpected earnings miss sent ripples through the market, with Tesla's stock value plummeting and investors re-evaluating the company's near-term strategy. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category MBA Cybersecurity PGDM Technology Project Management MCA Others Design Thinking Leadership Healthcare CXO Public Policy Operations Management Data Analytics Finance Degree Data Science Digital Marketing Data Science Product Management healthcare Management others Artificial Intelligence Skills you'll gain: Analytical Skills Financial Literacy Leadership and Management Skills Strategic Thinking Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT Online MBA Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Financial Management Team Leadership & Collaboration Financial Reporting & Analysis Advocacy Strategies for Leadership Duration: 18 Months UMass Global Master of Business Administration (MBA) Starts on May 13, 2024 Get Details Current price: $302.17, down ~9% from yesterday's $332.56 close Day's range: $301.34 – $314.52 Trading volume: ~82.9 million shares Open price: $309.75 Elon Musk's Net Worth Drops by $12 Billion in a Day As Tesla's shares took a nosedive, CEO Elon Musk's personal wealth dropped by approximately $12 billion, making it one of the sharpest single-day losses for the billionaire this year. Musk, who holds a large portion of his wealth in Tesla stock, has seen growing volatility in his net worth as the company faces multiple challenges—ranging from slowing demand to regulatory hurdles and intensifying competition. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Key Financial Highlights from Tesla Q2 2025 Earnings Revenue : $22.5 billion, down 12% YoY Net Income : Estimated at $1.2–1.4 billion (down 16–23%) Earnings Per Share (EPS) : $0.40, below analyst estimates Regulatory Credits : $439 million, nearly half of last year's $890 million Free Cash Flow : Turned negative this quarter Margins : Compressed due to increased pricing pressure and production costs Tesla also reported a sharp drop in vehicle deliveries, particularly in Europe, where deliveries were down 47%. The global delivery count also declined by approximately 13–14%, further compounding investor worries. Elon Musk Warns of 'Rough Quarters' Ahead During the earnings call, Elon Musk warned shareholders that Tesla could face 'a few rough quarters' as the company navigates a challenging global environment. Contributing factors include: Live Events The expiration of U.S. EV tax credits in Q3 Rising tariffs on EV imports/exports Increased price competition from Chinese automakers like BYD Falling revenue from regulatory credits Despite these setbacks, Musk remained optimistic about Tesla's long-term potential, emphasizing investments in AI, robotics, and autonomous technology. What's Hurting Tesla's Growth in 2025? Tesla's revenue decline reflects deeper challenges facing the electric vehicle market in 2025: Demand for EVs is softening in key regions like the U.S. and Europe. Interest rates remain high, dampening auto sales across the board. Cheaper EVs from China are flooding the global market, squeezing Tesla's margins. Tesla has yet to deliver its promised affordable EV model, expected in late 2025. The company is also grappling with increased scrutiny over its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software and delays in mass production of its Optimus robot and robotaxi fleet. Tesla's New Focus: Robotaxis and AI Despite poor financial performance, Tesla is doubling down on innovation. Musk highlighted progress in: Robotaxi trials in Austin, with plans to expand in Florida, Nevada, and California. Advancements in the Optimus humanoid robot, which Musk believes could eventually surpass Tesla's car business in value. The upcoming affordable EV model, expected to enter production by late 2025 or early 2026. Musk continues to push the narrative that Tesla is more than a car company—it's a technology and robotics company with AI at its core. Tesla Stock Outlook: Should Investors Be Worried? Following the earnings report, many analysts revised their short-term outlook on Tesla. Some noted that while the company's fundamentals remain strong in areas like innovation and battery tech, short-term earnings pressure is unavoidable. Key risks for investors include: Persistent margin pressure Delays in launching the next-gen EV Macroeconomic headwinds Competition from legacy automakers and startups However, Tesla bulls argue that long-term bets on autonomy and robotics could pay off if the company executes well. Tesla Stock Performance Today (July 24, 2025) Current Price: $302.17 Price Change: Down by $30.39 (Approx. -9%) Previous Close: $332.56 Opening Price: $309.75 Day's High: $314.52 Day's Low: $301.34 Trading Volume: Over 82.9 million shares Market Sentiment: Negative due to earnings miss and profit drop What's Next for Tesla? Tesla is betting big on its future, and the next few quarters will be pivotal. Key developments to watch include: Official launch of the robotaxi program Production timeline for the low-cost EV model Updates on FSD v12 rollout and regulatory approvals Progress in Optimus robot testing and deployment Despite the current downturn, Tesla's bold vision keeps it in the spotlight as a key player in shaping the future of mobility and automation. Tesla's 9% stock plunge and $12 billion hit to Elon Musk's wealth underline the seriousness of the challenges the company is facing in 2025. With revenue sliding, deliveries falling, and margins squeezed, Tesla is at a crossroads. But with innovation in AI, robotics, and autonomy still in motion, the next chapter for Tesla could be as disruptive as its first. FAQs: Q1: Why did Tesla stock crash after Q2 2025 earnings? Tesla stock fell 9% due to weak revenue, lower profits, and declining EV sales. Q2: How much did Elon Musk lose after Tesla's earnings report? Elon Musk lost $12 billion after Tesla's stock drop.

Irish watchdog threatens Elon Musk's X over adult content controls
Irish watchdog threatens Elon Musk's X over adult content controls

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Irish watchdog threatens Elon Musk's X over adult content controls

Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Ireland's media watchdog, acting on behalf of the EU, has warned Elon Musk 's social network X that it must enact rules to restrict children's access to adult content by Friday or "face action".The regulator, Coimisiun na Mean, is tasked by the European Union with overseeing compliance by tech giants including X, Meta and TikTok , which all have European headquarters in the Irish authority formally adopted an Online Safety Code in October -- following consultation with the European Commission -- introducing binding rules to protect EU users of video-sharing platforms from harmful were given nine months before the more detailed provisions of the code came into force to allow time for any IT changes that may have been rules, which came into force this week, included an obligation for video-sharing platforms that allow pornography to use effective age assurance to ensure that children are not normally able to access also prohibit the uploading of content such as cyberbullying, the promotion of self-harm, suicide, eating disorders or dangerous challenges, as well as pornography and all the platforms based in Ireland, X is the only one that allows a statement sent to AFP on Thursday, the regulator said that X, formerly Twitter, has not so far complied with the an initial review, the watchdog said it "cannot see any evidence of measures taken to comply with the age assurance requirement"."Non-compliance is a serious matter which can lead to sanctions including significant financial penalties," it said.X did not immediately reply to an AFP request for to the code, breaches carry fines of up to 10 percent of a platform's annual turnover or up to 20 million euros ($23.5 million) -- whichever is regulator also said on Thursday it had "further concerns" about X's compliance with some of the other rules "including but not limited to, the availability of parental controls".It said it "will take further action" if X does not provide evidence of compliance with the code by also said it is continuing to review the compliance of other designated video-sharing platforms to assess their compliance "and will take any further supervisory, investigative or enforcement action required".

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store