Latest news with #Starfall
The Hill
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
SpaceX is getting into the cosmic manufacturing business
Having revolutionized the space launch system and space-based telecommunications, SpaceX has fixed on a new industry to conquer. Elon Musk's company is developing a business called Starfall which will facilitate space-based manufacturing. SpaceX's approach is something of a departure from other companies such as Vast and Axiom which envision private space stations serviced by spacecraft such as the Crew Dragon. The Starship would take a number of capsules outfitted as miniature labs or factories to low Earth orbit. After a period of research into high valued products such as pharmaceuticals or computer chips or their outright manufacture, the capsules would return to Earth independently. SpaceX is already in talks with potential customers for Starfall. The company envisions the new business beginning at the end of the current decade. A recent piece in Forbes has an excellent rundown about the state of play in regards to space manufacturing. Experiments on the International Space Station by companies such as Merck and Redwire have shown the promise of products that use the unique properties of the space environment, including microgravity, hard vacuum and even radiation is very real. The question is, when will the promise become reality: decades from now, or sooner? The author of the Forbes article thinks that a space manufacturing sector is decades away, say in the time of our grandchildren. A number of companies building private space stations are betting that the time will come much sooner, perhaps as early as the 2030s. What kind of products might be created in space that can't be manufactured on Earth? Redwire, a space manufacturing and infrastructure company first founded in 2020 and most famous for deploying a 3D printer on the International Space Station, has a few ideas. Pharmaceuticals, particularly in regards to 'uniform crystal production and formulation' important for developing new drugs. Tissue bioprinting, which could lead to the production of transplantable organs derived from a patient's stem cells. Manufactured products, including fiber optics, laser components and turbomachine parts. The timing of the Starfall business is interesting in that the International Space Station is scheduled to end its operational life by 2030. Companies like Redwire will be able to switch over to the SpaceX-derived business seamlessly to continue their research and perhaps start making things for paying customers. Starfall will have several competitors in the space manufacturing game. Vast Aerospace is likely to be the first out the gate with its Haven-1 space station, a small-scale facility capable of hosting four astronauts for 30-day stays. Haven-1's launch has been pushed back to May 2026. Haven-1 could be followed by Haven-2, a much larger facility to be built between 2028 and 2032. Axiom Space is planning a space station, starting no earlier than 2027 with construction to conclude in the early 2030s. Axion has already mounted four private space missions to the International Space Station. Orbital Reef is a joint venture between Blue Origin and Sierra Space. The facility is not only designed to facilitate research and space manufacturing, but tourism as well. Operations may begin in 2027 or later. Starlab is a commercial space station envisioned by Starlab Space and is planned for launch no earlier than 2028. It will consist of a service module and a habitat/laboratory module. Starlab will specifically not cater to the space tourism market. It should be noted that however each of these and perhaps other commercial space stations come to fruition, SpaceX is likely to make money on them, as well. The company currently possesses the only commercial means to send people to and from low Earth orbit in the form of the Crew Dragon. NASA and Boeing are trying to fix the problems with the Starliner, a long, difficult and expensive process. How fast the process of space-based manufacturing proceeds is an open question. Blue Origin's Jeff Bezos dreams of a time in which all heavy industry moves off planet, leaving Earth relatively free of pollution and human-caused climate change. That development, if it happens at all, is likely to take many decades if not centuries. SpaceX was at the center of the first two commercial space industries, space launch with its Falcon family of rockets and telecommunications with its Starlink system. Whether the company decides to build its own space station based on the Starship or just stick with Starfall, it is likely to also be at the center of the next great space commercial development, the manufacture of products in low Earth orbit. No wonder Musk is the richest man on the planet.
National Post
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
Thunderbird Entertainment and tokidoki Unveil Limited Edition Mermicorno Collectible at San Diego Comic-Con
Article content The Jazwares exclusive collector edition Astra plush captures the spirit and strength of Mermicorno: Starfall's standout hero Article content A Mermicorno poster signed by tokidoki co-founder and artist Simone Legno will also be available at the Jazwares SDCC booth Article content Article content Publishing partner Abrams Books will also be offering a Mermicorno sticker book and sticker sheets at their SDCC booth Article content VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Thunderbird Distribution and Thunderbird Brands, the distribution and consumer products arms of Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc. (TSXV:TBRD, OTC – THBRF) ('Thunderbird' or the 'Company'), together with global lifestyle brand tokidoki, are thrilled to unveil the Mermicorno: Starfall 12″ Powered Up Astra Collector Edition, an exclusive plush from Jazwares inspired by the original animated series Mermicorno: Starfall. The collector's item will be available for purchase at San Diego Comic-Con 2025 (SDCC), July 24- 27, 2025, exclusively at the Jazwares booth (#3513) for $30US. Thunderbird Brands previously appointed Jazwares as the global master toy licensee for Mermicorno: Starfall. tokidoki co-founder and artist Simone Legno will also be signing a Mermicorno poster at the Jazwares booth. In addition, publishing partner Abrams Books will have the official Mermicorno: Starfall sticker book available at their booth (#1216) for $14.99US, along with sticker sheets for giveaway. Article content 'We are so excited for the fans of tokidoki and Mermicorno: Starfall to have the opportunity to meet creator and artist Simone Legno and see all the amazing new collectibles from our partner toy company Jazwares at San Diego Comic-Con,' said Thunderbird President of Global Distribution & Consumer Products, Richard Goldsmith. Article content 'We are so proud to see the Mermicorno universe expand beyond the screen with such incredible partners,' added Pooneh Mohajer, tokidoki's CEO & Co-Founder. 'From Jazwares' beautifully crafted Astra plush to Abrams Books' whimsical sticker book, these special items let fans dive deeper into the world of Mermicorno: Starfall. San Diego Comic-Con is the perfect venue to celebrate these creative collaborations.' Article content Created and produced by Thunderbird's Atomic Cartoons in partnership with global tastemaker tokidoki, Mermicorno: Starfall is a vibrant original animated adventure-comedy inspired by tokidoki's beloved Mermicorno character family. Set in a fantastical undersea world, the series follows a team of magical creatures as they band together to save the ocean from an evil threat. Along the way, they explore the magic of creative self-expression, forge deep friendships, and even search for the best bowl of ramen in the sea. Showcasing the wonders of the natural world, this is the first animated series to bring tokidoki's underwater universe to life. Article content The first season of the series debuted in the US on Max in January 2025, ranking #11 in the Kids & Family category of the streamer shortly thereafter. Subsequently, the series premiered on YTV and STACKTV's Teletoon+ (Canada), Max and Discovery Kids (LATAM), and POP (UK), and most recently on Cartoon Network in Southeast Asia. Following the success of the first release, the second drop of episodes became available on Max in May 2025. Article content The Thunderbird Distribution team continues to secure deals to bring Mermicorno: Starfall to new audiences around the world. Earlier this year, it was also announced that ejunior had licensed the series in the Middle East. In addition, tokidoki launched the Mermicorno: Starfall game on Roblox in collaboration with Space Junk Studios. Article content In addition to the Jazwares partnership, Thunderbird Brands has also appointed Corus Entertainment's Nelvana, a renowned international producer, distributor, and licensor of children's animated and live-action content, to represent Mermicorno: Starfall in the Canadian market, covering all major categories outside of toys and publishing. Article content About Thunderbird Entertainment Group Article content Thunderbird Entertainment Group is a global award-winning, full-service production, distribution and rights management company, headquartered in Vancouver, with additional offices in Los Angeles and Ottawa. Thunderbird creates award-winning scripted, unscripted, and animated programming for the world's leading digital platforms, as well as Canadian and international broadcasters. The Company develops, produces, and distributes animated, factual, and scripted content through its various content arms, including Thunderbird Kids and Family (Atomic Cartoons), Thunderbird Unscripted (Great Pacific Media) and Thunderbird Scripted. Productions under the Thunderbird umbrella include Article content Mermicorno: Starfall, Super Team Canada, Molly of Denali, Kim's Convenience, Highway Thru Hell, Boot Camp Article content and Article content Sidelined: The QB and Me Article content . Thunderbird Distribution and Thunderbird Brands manage global media and consumer products rights, respectively, for the Company and select third parties. Thunderbird is on Facebook, X, and Instagram at @tbirdent. For more information, visit: Article content Article content . Article content About Atomic Cartoons Article content Atomic Cartoons is an internationally renowned, award-winning animation studio with offices located in Vancouver, Ottawa and Los Angeles. Known for an artist-driven culture that attracts, retains and promotes the best talent in the business, Atomic develops and produces high-end animated content that spans preschool, comedy, action-adventure, adult and commercial genres, and everything in between. The animation studio has developed a stellar global reputation for its ability to translate big brands like LEGO, Star Wars, My Little Pony, Cocomelon and many more into top-notch animation, while also developing high-quality original Atomic productions like Article content The Last Kids on Earth, Rocket Saves the Day Article content and Article content Mermicorno: Starfall. Article content . Article content About tokidoki Article content tokidoki, which translates to 'sometimes' in Japanese, is an internationally recognized and iconic lifestyle brand based on the vision of Italian artist Simone Legno and his partners, serial entrepreneurs Pooneh Mohajer and Ivan Arnold. Since debuting in 2005, tokidoki has amassed a cult-like following for its larger-than-life characters and emerged as a sought-after global lifestyle brand. tokidoki offers an extensive range of products which include apparel, handbags, cosmetics, accessories, toys and more. Simone Legno, tokidoki's Chief Creative Officer, was born in Rome, Italy, and from a very young age developed a deep love of Japan and a fascination with world cultures. Combining Legno's unique talent and creativity with Mohajer's business acumen, tokidoki has grown exponentially. As an innovative company, tokidoki is known not only for its eye-popping aesthetic and criminally cute characters but also its megawatt partnerships. tokidoki is on Facebook and Twitter at @tokidoki and on Instagram at @tokidokibrand. For more information visit: Article content Article content About Abrams Article content Founded in 1949, ABRAMS was the first company in the United States to specialize in publishing art and illustrated books. The company publishes works in art, photography, cooking, craft, comics, interior and garden design, entertainment, fashion, and popular culture as well as narrative nonfiction and fiction for adults; children's books ranging from middle grade to young adult fiction to picture books to board books. ABRAMS creates and distributes books under the following imprints: Abrams; Abrams ComicArts; Megascope; Surely Books; Kana; Abrams Press; Cernunnos; Taunton Books; Abrams Books for Young Readers; Abrams Fanfare; Amulet Books; Abrams Appleseed; and Magic Cat. ABRAMS also distributes books for Booth-Clibborn Editions, Bungie, Alain Ducasse Édition, Éditions de La Martiniére, Editions BPI, Enchanted Lion Books, Familius, Getty Publications, Global Golf Group, Lucky Spool, Milky Way Picture Books, Red Comet Press, The Museum of Modern Art, SelfMadeHero, Skittledog, Tate Publishing, V&A Publishing, and The Vendome Press. Article content About Jazwares Article content Jazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading global toy manufacturer with a robust portfolio of owned and licensed brands. Founded in 1997, Jazwares celebrates imaginative play with a progressive focus on identifying new and relevant trends to transform into high-quality products for consumers of all ages. Jazwares engages consumers through innovative play experiences with popular brands such as Squishmallows™, Pokémon™, Hello Kitty™, Star Wars™, Disney™, BumBumz™, and Adopt Me™. In addition to toys, offerings include virtual games, costumes, and pet products. Headquartered in Plantation, Florida, Jazwares has offices worldwide and sells its products in over 100 countries. For more information, visit Article content , Article content X Article content , Article content Instagram Article content , and Article content Facebook Article content . Article content Source: Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc. Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release, which has been prepared by management. Article content Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Article content Certain statements contained in this news release may contain forward-looking information or may be forward-looking statements (collectively, 'forward-looking statements') within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Article content Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as 'anticipate', 'continue', 'estimate', 'expect', 'forecast', 'may', 'will', 'plan', 'project', 'should', 'believe', 'intend', or similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding timing for the release of Mermicorno: Starfall merchandise, anticipated launch dates and success of the Mermicorno: Starfall series in territories throughout the world, and the performance, results and outcomes related to this title. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic and social uncertainties; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; product capability and acceptance; international risk and currency exchange rates; and technology changes. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this document represent our views as of the date hereof and as such information should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this document. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Contact Article content Article content Julia Smith, Finch Media Article content Article content Email: Article content julia@ Article content
Business Wire
16-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Starfall, a Nonprofit, Seeks Help From U.S. Counterintelligence to Protect Children From Alleged Chinese Intellectual Property Hijacker
BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Starfall Education Foundation, a publicly supported nonprofit, made a request today under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) to the U.S. Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency and other DOD agencies for Documents relating to the "inclusion of Tencent Holdings Limited on the Department of Defense List of Chinese Military Companies Operating in the United States," "consumer data collection activities," "revenues derived from activities," and the "ability of the Chinese Military to access personal information about Americans." Starfall's request comes one week after it filed an amendment to its lawsuit in the Federal district court of Denver against Tencent Holdings (TCEHY) and its Singaporean subsidiary, Proxima Beta Pte. Ltd ( collectively "Tencent") alleging that "Tencent has hijacked Starfall's United States trademarks to attract children" and that it collects "personal information from children" and "places it under the control of a foreign entity." Tencent Holdings Ltd is a world-leading internet and technology company with headquarters in Shenzhen, China. This January, the US Department of Defense designated Tencent Holdings Ltd as a Chinese Military Company. The lawsuit alleges that Tencent's activities "were committed knowingly or recklessly" and Starfall is entitled to injunctive relief and damages, including disgorgement of Tencent's profits damages, treble damages, and reasonable attorney fees and costs "in an amount to be determined at trial but believed to be in excess of $1,000,000." Founded over two decades ago, Starfall is widely used in schools and homes for all children including English language learners. Starfall™ games, movies and books are known as a place "Where Children Have Fun Learning." Earlier this year, Starfall released a successful interactive kindness exhibit for museums that is being translated into ten languages including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Malay.
Los Angeles Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
SpaceX plans Starship program for in-orbit drug research
SpaceX is working on a program to use its mammoth Starship rocket to develop commercial products in space, potentially opening up a new business line for the world's most valuable private startup, according to people familiar with the matter. Under the plan, internally called Starfall, SpaceX's Starship rocket would bring products like pharmaceutical components to space in small, uncrewed capsules, said one of the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter is confidential. Starship would then deploy the capsules, which would spend time in orbit before reentering the atmosphere, where they could be recovered back on Earth, the person added. The Starfall program would allow companies to take advantage of the unique conditions of space, specifically micro-gravity and higher levels of radiation, which can provide a new environment for manufacturing pharmaceutical drugs, semiconductors, food, and even beauty products. A representative for SpaceX, formally known as Space Exploration Technologies Corp., didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The initiative could make SpaceX, which has dramatically lowered the cost of launching to orbit, a key leader in the sector of space-based research and development for commercial goods. The SpaceX program is still in the early stages of development and the plans could change. The effort is highly reliant on the operational ability of Starship, which has been plagued by a string of explosive failures over its last several test flights. SpaceX plans to make the program operational roughly by the end of the decade, one of the people said. The company is in talks with potential customers for the service, the people said. A team to work on the initiative was created recently under the leadership of Chris Trautner, senior director of vehicle engineering for the Falcon family of rockets, one of the people said. According to an analysis conducted by the McKinsey & Co. consulting firm, certain industries could generate billions of dollars in additional revenue by expanding into space. California-based startup Varda Space Industries, which is backed by billionaire Peter Thiel, has a similar business model of processing materials in space and has so far launched three capsules on board a SpaceX rocket and subsequently recovered them. Starfall, the people said, also has defense applications, and SpaceX is working in conjunction with the military on the program, the outlines of which were reported by the Wall Street Journal in May. It wasn't immediately clear how Starfall fits into an existing SpaceX contract with the US Department of Defense to develop Starship for sending huge quantities of military cargo and humanitarian aid between points on Earth. Pashankar, Ludlow and Porter write for Bloomberg.
Bloomberg
15-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
SpaceX Plans Starship Program for In-Orbit Drug Research
By , Edward Ludlow, and Kiel Porter Save SpaceX is working on a program to use its mammoth Starship rocket to develop commercial products in space, potentially opening up a new business line for the world's most valuable private startup, according to people familiar with the matter. Under the plan, internally called Starfall, SpaceX's Starship rocket would bring products like pharmaceutical components to space in small, uncrewed capsules, said one of the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter is confidential.
