spacex5 articles
SpaceX Lands $2.3 Billion Contract to Build the Pentagon's Space Targeting Network
The US Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion contract to build the Space Data Network (SDN) Backbone, a low-Earth orbit communications network designed to connect military sensors and targeting systems globally and securely, leveraging technology from SpaceX's Starlink and Starshield satellite platforms. The contract comes after the Pentagon's previous Space Development Agency (SDA) approach — which distributed work across multiple contractors — stalled due to supply chain bottlenecks and integration difficulties. SpaceX is required to deliver a fully operational prototype by the end of 2027, though the decision to consolidate the network under a single company has raised concerns among lawmakers about competition and open standards.
SpaceX Is Burning $2.8 Billion on Gas Turbines While Regulators Circle Its AI Data Centres
SpaceX has committed over $2.8 billion to purchase gas turbines to power AI data centers for its xAI unit, which operates the Colossus 1 and Colossus 2 facilities in Tennessee and Mississippi. The investment comes despite public backlash, a lawsuit, and regulatory scrutiny over environmental concerns, including allegations that the company operated turbines without proper air permits. The disclosures emerged from SpaceX's IPO prospectus, as the company prepares to list on the Nasdaq stock exchange in the coming weeks.
SpaceX Starship Launch Scrubbed at T-40 Seconds While Crypto Billionaire Books Mars Seat
SpaceX aborted the twelfth Starship test flight with seconds to spare due to a ground equipment failure, specifically a hydraulic pin on the launch tower arm failing to retract. It was the first launch attempt from a new pad using the latest vehicle iteration, making reaching the T-40 second hold point a minor milestone in itself. During the scrub, SpaceX also announced that crypto billionaire Chun Wang will fly on a future Mars flyby mission.
SpaceX Tells IPO Investors That Grok's 'Unhinged' Mode Is, Officially, A Risk
In its IPO filing, SpaceX warned investors that Grok's "Spicy" and "Unhinged" AI modes pose significant reputational and regulatory risks, including ongoing investigations over allegations that Grok was used to generate sexualized imagery of apparent minors and several class action lawsuits. These risks emerged after SpaceX acquired Elon Musk's xAI startup in February, with the company setting aside $530 million for potential litigation losses. SpaceX's AI division, which includes X and xAI, recorded an operating loss of over $6.3 billion last year, though subscription revenues for Grok and X are growing steadily.
SpaceX's IPO Filing: Monopoly Ambitions, Mounting Losses, and Musk at the Controls
SpaceX has filed for a long-awaited IPO, arguing that its extreme vertical integration across rocket manufacturing, satellite deployment, AI, and data centre infrastructure makes it uniquely positioned to dominate a self-claimed $28.5 trillion total addressable market. Despite revenues of $18.7 billion in FY2025, the company posted a $4.9 billion loss, with losses accelerating into 2026. The filing grants Elon Musk near-total control as CEO, CTO, and board chairman, leaving investors largely betting on his vision and execution.