1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,880 Elon Musk, the billionaire behind Tesla and SpaceX, has 2 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:06,440 been making some pretty interesting moves lately. 3 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:11,640 So last year he bought Twitter for $44 billion in plans to turn 4 00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:14,280 it into an Everything up, now rebranded as X. 5 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:17,520 But what's gotten crypto enthusiasts buzzing is his 6 00:00:17,560 --> 00:00:20,960 ongoing involvement with Dogecoin, a meme based 7 00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:24,560 cryptocurrency initially created as a joke, Musk has been putting 8 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:28,450 money into his development even as its value has plummeted by 9 00:00:28,450 --> 00:00:32,049 90% from its peak. And before he purchased Twitter 10 00:00:32,210 --> 00:00:35,650 or X as it's now known, Musk was toying with the idea of creating 11 00:00:35,650 --> 00:00:38,810 a new blockchain based social media platform that would 12 00:00:38,810 --> 00:00:41,210 feature a payment system using Dogecoin. 13 00:00:41,810 --> 00:00:44,570 According to Walter Isaacson, the author of Musk's new 14 00:00:44,570 --> 00:00:47,370 biography, this was a plan that was in the works. 15 00:00:47,650 --> 00:00:50,970 While the exact scale of his investment at Dogecoin remains a 16 00:00:50,970 --> 00:00:54,400 disclosed, Musk has previously mentioned that he would like to 17 00:00:54,400 --> 00:00:58,680 see Dogecoin outperform Bitcoin and become the currency of 18 00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:02,840 Earth. He said the currency of Earth. 19 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:07,080 And in July, Musk subtly added the dogecoin symbol to his 20 00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:10,280 Twitter account, sending ripples through the crypto community. 21 00:01:10,600 --> 00:01:14,600 Dogecoin, despite its turbulent journey, has managed to hold on 22 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:18,800 to some value with its network now worth around $9 billion. 23 00:01:19,220 --> 00:01:21,460 And Musk's ambitions don't stop there. 24 00:01:21,580 --> 00:01:24,540 Reports suggest that he's been discussing plans with Wall 25 00:01:24,540 --> 00:01:28,260 Street execs to make X an updated version of PayPal. 26 00:01:28,820 --> 00:01:31,980 Elan has been busy obtaining state money transmitting 27 00:01:31,980 --> 00:01:34,980 licenses, which is a clear indication of his plans. 28 00:01:34,980 --> 00:01:37,500 So how does this intertwine with Tesla? 29 00:01:37,700 --> 00:01:40,700 Let's switch gears a little bit. Tesla has been fiddling around 30 00:01:40,700 --> 00:01:43,780 with its pricing recently. Let's just say not everyone is 31 00:01:43,780 --> 00:01:46,660 pleased about it, and after the latest round of price 32 00:01:46,660 --> 00:01:50,460 reductions, Tesla owners took to X to vent their frustrations. 33 00:01:50,740 --> 00:01:54,220 They felt betrayed by the sudden price cuts, with some having 34 00:01:54,220 --> 00:01:58,500 purchased of Tesla's just days or weeks prior to these changes. 35 00:01:58,780 --> 00:02:01,980 Customers who had purchased a Model S or Model X earlier in 36 00:02:01,980 --> 00:02:04,740 this year, for example, were shocked to find the prices 37 00:02:04,740 --> 00:02:10,830 slashed by up to $41,000. And to add fuel to that fire, 38 00:02:11,070 --> 00:02:14,230 Tesla also reduced the cost of its full self driving software 39 00:02:14,430 --> 00:02:19,230 from 15,000 to $12,000. Tweets and posts directed at 40 00:02:19,230 --> 00:02:23,110 Musk expressed sentiments of betrayal and loss of brand 41 00:02:23,110 --> 00:02:25,470 loyalty. Now calls for compensation 42 00:02:25,470 --> 00:02:28,590 started to flood in with Tesla owners asking for things like 43 00:02:28,830 --> 00:02:31,950 free Enhanced Autopilot upgrades to make up for the sudden 44 00:02:31,950 --> 00:02:34,590 devaluation of the recently purchased vehicles. 45 00:02:34,910 --> 00:02:37,590 And it's not just new customers who are feeling the pinch. 46 00:02:38,030 --> 00:02:41,710 Even those who had planned on selling their used Teslas are in 47 00:02:41,710 --> 00:02:44,990 for a rude awakening. The pricing debacle adds another 48 00:02:44,990 --> 00:02:47,870 layer of complexity to Musk's existing commitments and 49 00:02:47,870 --> 00:02:50,270 engagements. On one hand, he's shaping the 50 00:02:50,270 --> 00:02:52,950 future of social media and potentially digital currency, 51 00:02:53,310 --> 00:02:55,950 and on the other, he's got a customer base that's 52 00:02:55,950 --> 00:02:59,910 increasingly disenchanted due to rapid and unannounced price 53 00:02:59,910 --> 00:03:02,470 changes. So what is particularly 54 00:03:02,470 --> 00:03:06,100 intriguing is how all these seemingly disparate ventures 55 00:03:06,100 --> 00:03:08,620 interconnect in the larger scheme of Musk's vision. 56 00:03:09,180 --> 00:03:12,860 Is the lowering of Tesla's pricing a strategic move to 57 00:03:12,860 --> 00:03:15,540 divert capital towards its crypto endeavors, or X 58 00:03:15,540 --> 00:03:17,980 development? Or is it merely an adjustment in 59 00:03:17,980 --> 00:03:21,220 response to market forces? Is Musk spreading himself too 60 00:03:21,220 --> 00:03:23,980 thin? Or is he, as always, three steps 61 00:03:23,980 --> 00:03:26,980 ahead of everyone else? So how does one man juggle 62 00:03:26,980 --> 00:03:30,300 running a car company, a space enterprise, neural tech firm, 63 00:03:30,300 --> 00:03:33,620 social media platform and also dabble in cryptocurrency? 64 00:03:34,060 --> 00:03:36,740 That's the enigma. That's Elon Musk, A complex web 65 00:03:36,740 --> 00:03:40,420 of interests and investments. It continues to reshape how we 66 00:03:40,420 --> 00:03:44,460 understand innovation and value. Now let's shift our focus from 67 00:03:44,500 --> 00:03:48,380 Earth up into space. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft 68 00:03:48,380 --> 00:03:52,060 with NASA astronaut Steven Bowen and Woody Hoberg along with UAE 69 00:03:52,060 --> 00:03:56,060 astronaut and a Rusk Cosmo astronaut inside undocked from 70 00:03:56,060 --> 00:03:59,380 the forward facing port of the International Space Station's 71 00:03:59,660 --> 00:04:02,780 Harmony module is 7:05 Eastern Time. 72 00:04:03,020 --> 00:04:06,820 On Sunday they completed a six month science mission. 73 00:04:07,020 --> 00:04:09,740 The Endeavor spacecraft will splash down at approximately 74 00:04:09,740 --> 00:04:14,620 12:17 AM Eastern Time on Monday, September 4th near Jacksonville 75 00:04:14,620 --> 00:04:17,579 off the coast of Florida. Now, NASA's Crew 6 mission 76 00:04:17,820 --> 00:04:22,300 launched March 2nd, 2023 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the 77 00:04:22,300 --> 00:04:26,030 agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida and dock to the space 78 00:04:26,030 --> 00:04:28,710 station the next day. Hey, thanks for tuning into the 79 00:04:28,710 --> 00:04:30,630 episode today. It's been a whirlwind of 80 00:04:30,630 --> 00:04:33,030 discussion, and we hope it's given you some food for thought 81 00:04:33,350 --> 00:04:37,150 on the multifaceted actions of one of the world's most talked 82 00:04:37,150 --> 00:04:39,750 about entrepreneurs. If you've enjoyed this episode, 83 00:04:39,750 --> 00:04:42,470 please don't forget to hit the subscribe or follow button on 84 00:04:42,470 --> 00:04:44,870 whatever podcast platform you're listening on right now. 85 00:04:45,110 --> 00:04:48,910 It's free, just takes a moment and also helps out the show 86 00:04:48,910 --> 00:04:51,270 tremendously. Thank you so much for that. 87 00:04:51,730 --> 00:04:55,890 BMW showcased its electric concept car, named the Vision 88 00:04:56,090 --> 00:04:58,530 Nuclus. Now, this car is expected to be 89 00:04:58,530 --> 00:05:02,290 the harbinger of a new era for BMW, built on a new 90 00:05:02,290 --> 00:05:05,810 architectural foundation that will serve as the blueprint for 91 00:05:05,890 --> 00:05:10,930 all its future EVs. Oliver Zips, the CEO of BMW, 92 00:05:11,450 --> 00:05:14,290 shared that they're planning to double their EV sales this year. 93 00:05:14,710 --> 00:05:18,430 We also estimated that by the end of 2023, battery Ev's will 94 00:05:18,430 --> 00:05:21,870 comprise 15% of BMW's global sales. 95 00:05:22,270 --> 00:05:25,390 For a brand steeped in a history of internal combustion engines, 96 00:05:25,710 --> 00:05:29,710 that's a very significant pivot. Now, Mercedes-Benz wasn't far 97 00:05:29,710 --> 00:05:32,710 behind either. They unveiled their concepts CLA 98 00:05:32,750 --> 00:05:36,190 Class, another electric vehicle designed from the ground up to 99 00:05:36,190 --> 00:05:39,420 serve as a cornerstone for their future electric offerings. 100 00:05:39,700 --> 00:05:43,140 Their CEO was all praised for the car, claiming that its specs 101 00:05:43,140 --> 00:05:46,540 are unparalleled in its class. It boasts an impressive range of 102 00:05:46,540 --> 00:05:50,780 750 kilometers and a quick charge feature that can juice up 103 00:05:50,780 --> 00:05:55,060 the car to run 400 kilometers in just 15 minutes. 104 00:05:55,220 --> 00:05:58,220 If that doesn't show their ambition in the EV sector, I 105 00:05:58,220 --> 00:06:01,420 don't really know what could. In the introduction of dedicated 106 00:06:01,420 --> 00:06:05,140 EV platforms for BMW and Mercedes marks a significant 107 00:06:05,140 --> 00:06:07,340 departure from their previous strategies. 108 00:06:07,770 --> 00:06:10,610 Earlier, they would retrofit their existing combustion or 109 00:06:10,610 --> 00:06:14,450 hybrid vehicles to accommodate the batteries, but with these 110 00:06:14,450 --> 00:06:17,690 new reveals, they're setting up a dedicated assembly line for 111 00:06:17,770 --> 00:06:20,570 EV's. It's a very serious commitment, 112 00:06:21,130 --> 00:06:24,330 but despite these efforts and lists of pine that both Mercedes 113 00:06:24,330 --> 00:06:29,170 and BMW have a mountain to climb to catch up the Tesla, let alone 114 00:06:29,170 --> 00:06:33,220 to dominate this sector. Now a senior research analyst at 115 00:06:33,220 --> 00:06:37,420 Bernstein Research, Daniel Roska, pointed out that while 116 00:06:37,420 --> 00:06:40,860 these new platforms are a step forward, they may not completely 117 00:06:40,860 --> 00:06:43,820 close the gap with Tesla and the competitive Chinese players. 118 00:06:44,180 --> 00:06:47,140 And Speaking of competition, price wars are becoming 119 00:06:47,140 --> 00:06:49,100 increasingly common the EV market. 120 00:06:49,540 --> 00:06:53,380 Tesla has been aggressive with its pricing strategy, which puts 121 00:06:53,380 --> 00:06:56,660 additional pressure on premium market players like BMW and 122 00:06:56,660 --> 00:07:00,090 Mercedes. Now Collinius from Mercedes 123 00:07:00,090 --> 00:07:03,130 emphasize that they aren't aiming to push volume, but are 124 00:07:03,130 --> 00:07:07,810 focusing on value over volume. This could be a significant 125 00:07:07,810 --> 00:07:11,010 differentiator in a market where many players, including Tesla, 126 00:07:11,290 --> 00:07:13,650 are fighting fiercely for market share. 127 00:07:14,490 --> 00:07:18,130 Now Volkswagen is also in the race with unique strategy. 128 00:07:18,490 --> 00:07:21,530 They plan to target various market segments by offering cars 129 00:07:21,810 --> 00:07:24,720 at different price points, and with the announcement of 130 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:30,240 launching 11 new EV models by 2027, they're definitely not 131 00:07:30,240 --> 00:07:32,520 holding back. While these vehicles themselves 132 00:07:32,520 --> 00:07:35,320 are impressive, the real differentiator in the EV sector 133 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:38,760 seems to be technology. Tesla software capabilities, 134 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:42,760 especially with Autopilot, have set a high standard, but 135 00:07:42,760 --> 00:07:44,520 European automakers are catching up. 136 00:07:44,960 --> 00:07:49,040 BMW, for example, is touting its head up display that projects 137 00:07:49,040 --> 00:07:50,920 information out of the driver's windshield. 138 00:07:51,550 --> 00:07:55,070 Now, Zips also highlighted their significant investment in 139 00:07:55,070 --> 00:07:58,670 digital aspects, including semiconductors. 140 00:07:59,230 --> 00:08:01,990 So the electric vehicle market is getting more and more 141 00:08:01,990 --> 00:08:04,710 crowded. It's no longer just Tesla and 142 00:08:04,710 --> 00:08:08,350 the Chinese companies like BYD. But why is this happening? 143 00:08:08,710 --> 00:08:12,150 One reason could be the growing consumer awareness about 144 00:08:12,150 --> 00:08:14,670 environmental issues. And as the climate crisis 145 00:08:14,670 --> 00:08:16,990 intensifies, people are increasingly considering 146 00:08:16,990 --> 00:08:20,360 sustainable modes of transportation, thereby driving 147 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:23,680 up the demand for E V's. And governments around the globe 148 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:27,320 are also implementing stringent emission regulations, forcing 149 00:08:27,320 --> 00:08:30,920 automakers to pivot to more eco friendly technologies. 150 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:35,600 Now BMW and Mercedes-Benz in particular have historically 151 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:39,400 been associated with luxury, performance and engineering 152 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:41,760 excellence. But they also recognize the 153 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:45,400 urgent need for sustainability and are taking big strides to 154 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:47,640 make their fleet more eco friendly. 155 00:08:48,250 --> 00:08:51,530 This urgency is partly due to market demand, but it's also 156 00:08:51,530 --> 00:08:55,210 because the competition is fierce and not waiting for them 157 00:08:55,210 --> 00:08:58,650 to catch up. BMW is offering a concept car 158 00:08:58,650 --> 00:09:02,330 that aims to set the stage for a brand new lineup with their EVs 159 00:09:02,770 --> 00:09:06,370 and they plan to introduce it over the next few years. 160 00:09:06,730 --> 00:09:11,690 And according to BMW CEO, this framework is such a huge game 161 00:09:11,690 --> 00:09:13,690 changer. It's not about creating another 162 00:09:13,690 --> 00:09:17,480 electric car, it's about shifting the very core of what 163 00:09:17,680 --> 00:09:21,080 BMW represents as a brand. They're not only electrifying 164 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:25,200 their vehicles, but they're also reimagining how these cars will 165 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:28,640 interact with the drivers and with the environment and other 166 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:31,240 vehicles. The user experience is expected 167 00:09:31,240 --> 00:09:35,200 to be significantly augmented by digital features, aiming to make 168 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:37,900 driving more intuitive and also enjoyable. 169 00:09:37,900 --> 00:09:41,620 And on the flip side, Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA class 170 00:09:41,660 --> 00:09:44,180 offers not just an electric vehicle, but a feat of 171 00:09:44,180 --> 00:09:47,180 engineering that pushes the boundaries of what Ev's can do. 172 00:09:47,780 --> 00:09:52,100 750 kilometer range is impressive, or really what 173 00:09:52,100 --> 00:09:55,820 caught everyone's attention was its rapid charging capabilities. 174 00:09:55,820 --> 00:10:00,980 15 minutes for 400 kilometers is something that even Tesla hasn't 175 00:10:00,980 --> 00:10:04,190 achieved in their consumer models, and if you can bring 176 00:10:04,190 --> 00:10:07,230 this from a concept to an actual car available on the market, 177 00:10:07,630 --> 00:10:11,790 that would represent a massive leap in EV technology. 178 00:10:12,350 --> 00:10:14,870 Now let's talk about some of the challenges they faced. 179 00:10:14,990 --> 00:10:18,790 First off, the issue of battery technology and sourcing lithium 180 00:10:18,790 --> 00:10:21,670 ion batteries are at the heart of all Ev's right now, and 181 00:10:21,670 --> 00:10:25,910 securing a steady, sustainable supply of these materials is a 182 00:10:25,910 --> 00:10:28,270 logistical and ethical challenge. 183 00:10:28,590 --> 00:10:31,470 Companies are racing to find alternative materials or improve 184 00:10:31,470 --> 00:10:34,630 the efficiency of existing ones. This is where Tesla has an 185 00:10:34,630 --> 00:10:38,310 advantage with its Gigafactories and plans to manufacture its own 186 00:10:38,310 --> 00:10:40,910 batteries. Whether BMW and Mercedes can 187 00:10:40,910 --> 00:10:43,870 catch up on this front, it's something to keep an eye on. 188 00:10:44,350 --> 00:10:46,390 Another challenge? Infrastructure. 189 00:10:46,430 --> 00:10:49,550 Europe does have a growing network of charging stations, 190 00:10:49,830 --> 00:10:54,870 but it's not yet an extensive network like it is in the US, 191 00:10:55,150 --> 00:10:58,750 and it needs to be a bigger market to support a mass 192 00:10:58,750 --> 00:11:02,960 adoption of electric vehicles. Both BMW and Mercedes will need 193 00:11:02,960 --> 00:11:05,720 to consider how their cars will fit into the existing 194 00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:09,120 infrastructure, or what steps they could take to expand it or 195 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:11,720 make their own. And let's not forget about the 196 00:11:11,720 --> 00:11:16,160 emerging competition from China. Companies like NEO and Speg and 197 00:11:16,160 --> 00:11:20,120 BYD are not just content with conquering the domestic market, 198 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:23,800 They have global ambitions that are slowly but steadily entering 199 00:11:23,800 --> 00:11:25,600 European and North American markets. 200 00:11:25,920 --> 00:11:29,200 With often lower price models and impressive tech features. 201 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:32,000 These companies are set to give the traditional European 202 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:33,920 automakers a run for their money. 203 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:39,440 Meanwhile, VW and Audi are also stepping up their game. 204 00:11:39,760 --> 00:11:42,560 VW has made it clear that they intend to cater to various 205 00:11:42,560 --> 00:11:45,880 segments of the market, providing options for every type 206 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:48,880 of consumer, and the versatility in their approach can make them 207 00:11:48,880 --> 00:11:53,160 a formidable competitor to both BMW and Mercedes. 208 00:11:54,160 --> 00:11:58,320 Now we have to remember again Tesla's Autopilot Tesla 209 00:11:58,320 --> 00:12:01,330 software, the hardware that drives that software. 210 00:12:01,570 --> 00:12:04,410 It set a standard for autonomous driving features. 211 00:12:04,690 --> 00:12:07,490 And how will BMW and Mercedes compete on them? 212 00:12:08,450 --> 00:12:11,490 They're working on it, but as mentioned earlier, BMW is 213 00:12:11,490 --> 00:12:14,850 investing heavily in digital features, semiconductors, which 214 00:12:14,850 --> 00:12:18,210 can significantly enhance vehicle performance and 215 00:12:18,210 --> 00:12:20,930 experience. And these moves by BMW and 216 00:12:20,930 --> 00:12:24,530 Mercedes-Benz are not mere incremental steps in the realm 217 00:12:24,650 --> 00:12:27,890 of EVs. They signify a wholesale 218 00:12:27,890 --> 00:12:30,660 commitment to the future that's electric. 219 00:12:30,900 --> 00:12:34,300 And while these are challenges and they're stiff competition 220 00:12:34,300 --> 00:12:37,620 out there, their willingness to invest, innovate and adapt 221 00:12:37,620 --> 00:12:40,780 speaks volumes about the resilience and vision of these 222 00:12:40,780 --> 00:12:44,700 iconic brands. On April 20th, 2023, SpaceX 223 00:12:44,700 --> 00:12:47,420 launched its first integrated Starship and super heavy 224 00:12:47,420 --> 00:12:49,700 vehicle. But instead of a grand success, 225 00:12:49,940 --> 00:12:53,460 the mission concluded in an explosion, prompting an FAA 226 00:12:53,500 --> 00:12:56,760 investigation. Starship is the cornerstone of 227 00:12:56,760 --> 00:12:59,520 Spacex's vision for the future of space travel, with its 228 00:12:59,520 --> 00:13:03,960 ability to carry a large payload and humans to the moon into 229 00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:06,120 Mars. Now, the recent investigation 230 00:13:06,320 --> 00:13:10,040 looked into what went wrong and outlined 63 corrective actions 231 00:13:10,040 --> 00:13:13,280 that SpaceX needs to implement before taking to the skies. 232 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:17,160 Again, the FEA made it clear that this isn't a complete green 233 00:13:17,160 --> 00:13:19,760 light for SpaceX. They stated that SpaceX would 234 00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:23,320 need to implement all corrective actions that impact public 235 00:13:23,320 --> 00:13:27,520 safety and apply for and receive a license modification from the 236 00:13:27,560 --> 00:13:31,400 FAA that addresses all safety, environmental, and other 237 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:34,960 application regulatory requirements prior to the next 238 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:37,440 Starship launch. Now, one of the critical issues 239 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:40,440 was the failure of the two stages of a Starship separate, 240 00:13:40,440 --> 00:13:44,200 triggering Starship's autonomous flight safety system and causing 241 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:47,440 the vehicle to be destroyed. Moreover, the power of the Super 242 00:13:47,440 --> 00:13:51,600 heavy 33 Raptor engines resulted in damage to the Starbase launch 243 00:13:51,600 --> 00:13:54,600 site, creating a crater and launching debris into the air. 244 00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:58,240 These are among the aspects that SpaceX will need to refine 245 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:02,360 before the next test flight. Now Elon Musk, Spacex's head, 246 00:14:02,560 --> 00:14:05,400 took to social media to express that the company has already 247 00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:08,120 made numerous improvements. He noted that thousands of 248 00:14:08,120 --> 00:14:10,640 upgrades have been applied to both the Starship and the 249 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:14,000 launchpad, and one of the most significant changes is the shift 250 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:18,060 to hot staging, a complex process where the second stage 251 00:14:18,060 --> 00:14:22,060 engines begin firing before full separation from the first stage. 252 00:14:22,260 --> 00:14:25,260 Now this new strategy requires SpaceX to install new hardware, 253 00:14:25,260 --> 00:14:28,740 including a heat shield and a venting interstage, and another 254 00:14:28,740 --> 00:14:32,020 update involves fortifying the ground beneath Starbase's 255 00:14:32,020 --> 00:14:35,060 orbital launch mount with a steel plate that has a water 256 00:14:35,060 --> 00:14:38,700 spot or a deluge system. This deluge system is intended 257 00:14:38,700 --> 00:14:42,620 to dissipate the extreme force generated by super heavy 33 258 00:14:42,620 --> 00:14:45,760 Raptors, and the idea is that the water will act as a cushion 259 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:48,600 against the engine power, reducing the chances of damaging 260 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:51,600 the launchpad, as occurred during the April mishap. 261 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:55,000 But the path to the next launch is not entirely free of 262 00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:57,480 roadblocks. There's the FP A's expectation 263 00:14:57,480 --> 00:15:00,800 that SpaceX will need to obtain a license modification, which 264 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:04,240 means proving that all safety and environmental protocols are 265 00:15:04,240 --> 00:15:06,360 met. That's a tall order, and SpaceX 266 00:15:06,360 --> 00:15:08,560 hasn't yet announced when they'll apply for this 267 00:15:08,560 --> 00:15:11,920 modification or when they expect to undertake another test 268 00:15:11,920 --> 00:15:14,860 flight. Spacex's Starship program isn't 269 00:15:14,860 --> 00:15:17,860 just a lark or an ambitious pipe dream, and has significant 270 00:15:17,860 --> 00:15:20,380 implications for the future of space travel. 271 00:15:20,620 --> 00:15:23,700 NASA plans to use Starship at its upcoming Artemis missions, 272 00:15:23,860 --> 00:15:25,660 which aim to return humans to the moon. 273 00:15:26,060 --> 00:15:29,460 Moreover, Starship is critical for Spacex's Starlink settling 274 00:15:29,500 --> 00:15:32,780 Internet service, currently providing connectivity across 50 275 00:15:32,780 --> 00:15:35,560 countries. The legal landscape is equally 276 00:15:35,560 --> 00:15:37,920 complex. Environmental and cultural 277 00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:40,560 heritage nonprofits have raised questions about the 278 00:15:40,560 --> 00:15:43,120 environmental impact of Spacex's test flights. 279 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:47,000 SpaceX and the FAA are defendants in a lawsuit alleging 280 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:49,560 failure to conduct an appropriate environmental review 281 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:51,760 prior to the first Starship test flag. 282 00:15:51,880 --> 00:15:54,720 This is Spacex's flagship project aimed at creating a 283 00:15:54,720 --> 00:15:58,920 fully reusable spacecraft that can carry humans to Mars and 284 00:15:58,920 --> 00:16:01,040 beyond, possibly to the outer solar system. 285 00:16:01,620 --> 00:16:03,620 It's not just a concept on paper, it's an engineering 286 00:16:03,620 --> 00:16:06,860 marvel, the design to accomplish tasks previously considered near 287 00:16:06,860 --> 00:16:10,420 impossible, the capacity to carry up to 100 people. 288 00:16:10,420 --> 00:16:14,060 Eventually, along with ample cargo space, this rocket can 289 00:16:14,060 --> 00:16:18,740 undertake long duration voyages. Places like the Moon, Mars, and 290 00:16:18,740 --> 00:16:21,060 perhaps even more distant celestial bodies. 291 00:16:21,260 --> 00:16:25,060 Imagine it as the foundational block of Spacex's ambition to 292 00:16:25,060 --> 00:16:28,490 make life multiplanetary, a super heavy rocket. 293 00:16:28,490 --> 00:16:31,930 The first stage of the Starship system comes with over 30 Raptor 294 00:16:31,930 --> 00:16:34,370 engines and serves as the workhorse for getting the second 295 00:16:34,370 --> 00:16:37,810 stage Starship out of Earth's gravitational pull. 296 00:16:38,090 --> 00:16:42,770 But the height of about 230 plus feet Super heavy is designed to 297 00:16:42,770 --> 00:16:45,010 be not just powerful, but also efficient. 298 00:16:45,290 --> 00:16:48,410 Once it gets Starship to a certain altitude, it disengages 299 00:16:48,410 --> 00:16:51,410 and returns to Earth, where it can be refueled and launched 300 00:16:51,410 --> 00:16:54,020 again. Now this reusability feature is 301 00:16:54,020 --> 00:16:57,420 crucial for reducing the cost of space travel and making it more 302 00:16:57,420 --> 00:16:59,580 accessible to a broader population. 303 00:17:00,100 --> 00:17:04,140 Now the second stage Starship is not just a vessel for reaching 304 00:17:04,140 --> 00:17:07,660 other planets, It's essentially a mini habitat that can sustain 305 00:17:07,660 --> 00:17:10,099 life for extended periods of time. 306 00:17:10,420 --> 00:17:13,300 About life support systems, spaces for scientific research, 307 00:17:13,300 --> 00:17:15,900 and cargo areas for essentials like food and equipment. 308 00:17:16,260 --> 00:17:19,300 It's an all in one vehicle for exploring the cosmos. 309 00:17:19,650 --> 00:17:23,490 The spacecraft will be designed to execute pinpoint landings on 310 00:17:23,490 --> 00:17:26,609 celestial bodies that lack atmosphere using its own 311 00:17:26,609 --> 00:17:29,610 propulsion system. This provides the potential for 312 00:17:29,610 --> 00:17:33,210 establishing bases on the Moon and Mars and facilitates the 313 00:17:33,210 --> 00:17:36,490 transportation of resources between Earth and these 314 00:17:36,490 --> 00:17:39,930 extraterrestrial locations. Together, Starship and super 315 00:17:39,930 --> 00:17:43,090 Heavy aren't just rockets, they are the cornerstones of a vision 316 00:17:43,250 --> 00:17:46,210 or interplanetary travel becomes a common aspect of human 317 00:17:46,210 --> 00:17:49,700 civilizations. Now, while the FAA recent 318 00:17:49,700 --> 00:17:53,260 decision marks progress, it doesn't mean that SpaceX can 319 00:17:53,260 --> 00:17:56,660 proceed without obstacles. Corrective actions need to be 320 00:17:56,660 --> 00:17:59,900 implemented and licenses need to be updated, and multiple 321 00:17:59,900 --> 00:18:02,780 stakeholders from regulatory agencies to environmental groups 322 00:18:03,060 --> 00:18:06,300 are keeping a watchful eye. Space Texas Starship could 323 00:18:06,300 --> 00:18:10,460 launch anywhere between two weeks or two months, so we're 324 00:18:10,460 --> 00:18:12,700 not exactly sure when this is going to happen. 325 00:18:13,020 --> 00:18:16,550 After the FAA approval, maybe there's going to be other 326 00:18:16,550 --> 00:18:20,910 environmental assessments, and possibly SpaceX could get those 327 00:18:20,910 --> 00:18:24,830 63 items done faster than we expect. 328 00:18:25,030 --> 00:18:27,430 So please stay tuned. Hit the subscribe or follow 329 00:18:27,430 --> 00:18:30,310 button on whatever podcast platform you're on right now to 330 00:18:30,310 --> 00:18:33,110 keep up to date with all the latest Starship news. 331 00:18:33,670 --> 00:18:38,090 So what Honda's decision to switch to NACS actually mean? 332 00:18:38,210 --> 00:18:41,770 NACS is a Tesla design standard that's been adopted by a growing 333 00:18:41,770 --> 00:18:44,890 number of automakers, starting with Ford earlier this year. 334 00:18:45,210 --> 00:18:48,530 And Honda has now joined the list, planning to equip its new 335 00:18:48,530 --> 00:18:52,970 electric vehicles with NACS ports from 2025 onwards. 336 00:18:53,290 --> 00:18:56,490 And this move will also grant Honda EV owners access to 337 00:18:56,490 --> 00:19:00,610 Tesla's expansive and a highly reliable Supercharger network, a 338 00:19:00,610 --> 00:19:04,170 considerable benefit for any electric vehicle owner planning 339 00:19:04,170 --> 00:19:08,810 long trips or who wants an easier fast charging experience. 340 00:19:09,330 --> 00:19:12,210 Now while access to Tesla Supercharger network is a big 341 00:19:12,210 --> 00:19:15,410 win, it's worth noting that Honda, along with six other 342 00:19:15,410 --> 00:19:19,930 automakers, have also committed to building a separate network 343 00:19:19,930 --> 00:19:23,530 of high speed EV chargers across North America. 344 00:19:23,730 --> 00:19:28,100 Slated for completion by 20-30, this new network aims to install 345 00:19:28,100 --> 00:19:32,860 at least 30,000 high speed EV chargers and plans to leverage 346 00:19:32,860 --> 00:19:36,780 funding from both private and the public sectors. 347 00:19:37,260 --> 00:19:40,700 Now let's talk about the NACS standard. 348 00:19:41,100 --> 00:19:45,860 At its core, NACS is designed to be a universal high performance 349 00:19:45,860 --> 00:19:49,220 charging system that can be used across multiple makes and models 350 00:19:49,220 --> 00:19:52,060 of electric vehicles. One of its key features is the 351 00:19:52,060 --> 00:19:55,540 port design, which is slim and robust with no moving parts. 352 00:19:55,970 --> 00:19:59,610 This makes it less susceptible to wear and tear, thereby 353 00:19:59,850 --> 00:20:04,770 enhancing its durability. The NACS port supports both A/C 354 00:20:05,090 --> 00:20:07,730 alternating current and DC direct current charging, 355 00:20:07,930 --> 00:20:11,250 providing versatility to users. When connected to a high speed 356 00:20:11,250 --> 00:20:14,850 DC charger such as Tesla Supercharger can handle charging 357 00:20:14,850 --> 00:20:18,770 rates of up to one MW, allowing for extremely fast charging 358 00:20:18,770 --> 00:20:21,410 times. Now this capacity far exceeds 359 00:20:21,690 --> 00:20:24,930 most existing standards and can replenish hundreds of miles of 360 00:20:24,930 --> 00:20:26,850 range. In just a matter of minutes. 361 00:20:27,170 --> 00:20:30,970 And the goal of NECS is not just to facilitate faster charging, 362 00:20:30,970 --> 00:20:34,050 but to create a unified system that can be easily adopted for 363 00:20:34,050 --> 00:20:36,450 various automakers. Tesla has opened up this 364 00:20:36,450 --> 00:20:39,370 standard with the intention of streamlining the charging 365 00:20:39,370 --> 00:20:41,130 infrastructure across North America. 366 00:20:41,680 --> 00:20:44,520 This robust design, high charging capabilities and 367 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:47,640 flexibility. NACS is aiming to be the new 368 00:20:47,640 --> 00:20:50,720 industry standard, encouraging broader adoption of electric 369 00:20:50,720 --> 00:20:55,040 vehicles by making the charging process as convenient as 370 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:58,720 possible. Now let's pick the discussion to 371 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:01,920 other significant development in the world of Ev's The 7th 372 00:21:01,960 --> 00:21:05,760 Automaker Alliance to construct the new network of high speed 373 00:21:05,760 --> 00:21:09,000 charges across North America. This partnership includes 374 00:21:09,120 --> 00:21:14,050 automakers like G, MB, MW, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, 375 00:21:14,210 --> 00:21:18,370 Mercedes-Benz and Stalantis. The coalition aims to make long 376 00:21:18,370 --> 00:21:21,290 distance travel for EV owners more convenient by installing 377 00:21:21,290 --> 00:21:25,530 charges along highways in in urban centers, leveraging the 378 00:21:25,530 --> 00:21:29,330 national Electric Vehicle infrastructure or NEVI funding 379 00:21:29,570 --> 00:21:32,410 in the United States and other public and private sources. 380 00:21:32,770 --> 00:21:35,810 Now while Tesla Supercharger network has set a very high 381 00:21:35,810 --> 00:21:39,640 standard, this joint venture aims to take it one step further 382 00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:42,960 by offering a universally compatible network that will 383 00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:44,880 serve various EV makes and models. 384 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:47,920 There will be no need to fumble with multiple charging station 385 00:21:47,920 --> 00:21:51,200 apps as the network will adopt the developing plugin charge 386 00:21:51,200 --> 00:21:52,560 standard. The Federal Highway 387 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:55,720 Administration is attempting to standardize the end game. 388 00:21:55,720 --> 00:21:59,440 Here is a better, more unified charging experience for all 389 00:21:59,440 --> 00:22:02,360 electric vehicle owners, irrespective of their vehicles 390 00:22:02,360 --> 00:22:04,970 maker model. Now the faster people can plug 391 00:22:04,970 --> 00:22:08,490 in, charge and go, the easier it becomes for potential buyers to 392 00:22:08,490 --> 00:22:11,530 make the switch from fossil fuels to electric vehicles, 393 00:22:11,810 --> 00:22:14,050 helping us move towards a more sustainable future. 394 00:22:14,490 --> 00:22:17,570 And the new network plans to be powered entirely by renewable 395 00:22:17,570 --> 00:22:20,930 energy, a crucial step towards environmental sustainability. 396 00:22:21,490 --> 00:22:24,330 Now the big take away though, as EV adoption grows, 397 00:22:24,330 --> 00:22:27,770 standardization will play a key role in influencing consumer 398 00:22:27,770 --> 00:22:30,730 choices and behaviors. Tesla opening up its charging 399 00:22:30,730 --> 00:22:34,450 standard is a significant step forward, and how disagreement to 400 00:22:34,450 --> 00:22:36,610 adopt it marks yet another milestone. 401 00:22:37,010 --> 00:22:40,290 And the formation of the Seven Automaker Alliance is another 402 00:22:40,290 --> 00:22:43,450 pivotal moment, signaling a growing commitment across the 403 00:22:43,490 --> 00:22:47,330 industry to make electric vehicle charging as convenient 404 00:22:47,650 --> 00:22:50,850 and efficient as possible. Now, thank you again for tuning 405 00:22:50,850 --> 00:22:53,050 into today's episode of the Elon Musk Podcast. 406 00:22:53,410 --> 00:22:56,090 If you found value in this episode, make sure to hit the 407 00:22:56,090 --> 00:22:58,690 subscribe or follow button on whatever podcast platform you're 408 00:22:58,690 --> 00:23:00,570 listening to. Now it's free. 409 00:23:00,770 --> 00:23:02,850 Just take a second and it helps us out. 410 00:23:03,310 --> 00:23:05,350 But remember, we can only continue bringing you great 411 00:23:05,350 --> 00:23:08,150 content every day thanks to our Elon Musk Investors Club. 412 00:23:08,470 --> 00:23:11,510 To join the club and support the show, head on over to join 413 00:23:11,510 --> 00:23:14,070 elonclub.com. We're going to talk about the 414 00:23:14,070 --> 00:23:17,590 latest SpaceX Crew Dragon mission, Crew Six, which 415 00:23:17,590 --> 00:23:20,230 successfully returned from its journey to the International 416 00:23:20,230 --> 00:23:22,750 Space Station. Now this mission involved 3 417 00:23:22,750 --> 00:23:26,270 astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut and it came to a safe 418 00:23:26,270 --> 00:23:29,310 conclusion just off the coast of Jacksonville, FL. 419 00:23:29,790 --> 00:23:32,230 From the brilliant streak across the sky to the controlled 420 00:23:32,230 --> 00:23:36,160 splashdown but at the future of SpaceX human space flights, this 421 00:23:36,160 --> 00:23:39,320 is something that we are all going to be intrigued about now. 422 00:23:39,320 --> 00:23:42,680 But before we move on, I'd like to give a shout out to everyone 423 00:23:42,680 --> 00:23:46,560 who supports this podcast by joining the Elon Musk Investors 424 00:23:46,560 --> 00:23:48,920 Club. Your contributions enable us to 425 00:23:48,920 --> 00:23:52,080 keep this show running every single day, covering the latest 426 00:23:52,080 --> 00:23:56,440 in technology, space exploration, Tesla X, and more. 427 00:23:56,440 --> 00:24:01,030 Early Monday, between 12:05 AM and 12:17 AM, the Dragon 428 00:24:01,030 --> 00:24:04,070 Endeavor capsule meet is descent back to Earth, creating a 429 00:24:04,070 --> 00:24:07,150 mesmerizing spectacle over the Gulf of Mexico and central 430 00:24:07,150 --> 00:24:10,190 Northeast Florida. An observer is even reported 431 00:24:10,190 --> 00:24:12,510 hearing Sonic booms as the capsule pierced through the 432 00:24:12,550 --> 00:24:15,270 Earth's atmosphere. This marks the fourth trip to 433 00:24:15,270 --> 00:24:19,190 space for Dragon Endeavor, which had previously flown missions 434 00:24:19,470 --> 00:24:24,070 Axiom 1, Crew Two and Demo Two. And upon touching down of the 435 00:24:24,070 --> 00:24:27,390 Atlantic Ocean, Crew 6 Commander Stephen Bowen expressed his 436 00:24:27,390 --> 00:24:30,570 gratitude to SpaceX. He said, Thanks SpaceX, We 437 00:24:30,570 --> 00:24:33,170 really appreciate all the support from all the initial 438 00:24:33,170 --> 00:24:35,650 training through the launch throughout the mission keeping 439 00:24:35,650 --> 00:24:39,210 us abreast of the status of the vehicle and all the support all 440 00:24:39,210 --> 00:24:41,930 the way down. Now Stephen Bowen was joined by 441 00:24:41,930 --> 00:24:46,010 NASA astronaut Woody Hoberg, the United Arab Emirates Sultan Al 442 00:24:46,010 --> 00:24:50,210 Niade and Russian cosmina Andrei Fedyev, and they all closed the 443 00:24:50,210 --> 00:24:53,090 Hatch of this capsule and departed from the International 444 00:24:53,090 --> 00:24:57,610 Space Station about 17 hours before their grand splashdown. 445 00:24:57,610 --> 00:25:01,090 Now the mission itself. It lasted about six months, 446 00:25:01,090 --> 00:25:04,970 focusing primarily on scientific experiments and maintenance of 447 00:25:04,970 --> 00:25:08,890 the International Space Station. And before reentry, the Dragon 448 00:25:08,890 --> 00:25:12,970 endeavor performed its final of 5D orbit burns, sealing its fate 449 00:25:12,970 --> 00:25:15,970 for the descent back to Earth. And during this process, the 450 00:25:15,970 --> 00:25:18,610 capsule's heat shield had to withstand temperatures up to 451 00:25:18,610 --> 00:25:22,930 3500 degrees Fahrenheit. As expected, the plasma layer 452 00:25:22,930 --> 00:25:26,170 around the capsule knocked out communications with the crew for 453 00:25:26,170 --> 00:25:29,140 about 7 minutes. Standard occurrence during 454 00:25:29,140 --> 00:25:31,500 reentry. Now let's talk about the moment 455 00:25:31,500 --> 00:25:34,620 the capsule landed. SpaceX teams immediately 456 00:25:34,620 --> 00:25:37,900 approached the capsule floating on the Atlantic waters to ensure 457 00:25:37,900 --> 00:25:39,820 that no toxic propellants were leaking. 458 00:25:40,340 --> 00:25:43,220 Following this, the capsule was hoisted up out of the deck of 459 00:25:43,220 --> 00:25:46,860 Spacex's recovery ship Megan, named after NASA astronaut Megan 460 00:25:46,860 --> 00:25:48,980 MacArthur. And medical checkouts for the 461 00:25:48,980 --> 00:25:52,020 astronauts were done right there on the vessel before they 462 00:25:52,020 --> 00:25:54,820 boarded a helicopter back to Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 463 00:25:55,140 --> 00:25:58,000 From there, will return to NASA's Johnson Space Center in 464 00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:01,080 Texas. Now this marks another milestone 465 00:26:01,080 --> 00:26:04,520 for SpaceX, which has now flown 11 human Space Flight missions, 466 00:26:04,600 --> 00:26:06,920 eight of which were contracted with NASA's Commercial Crew 467 00:26:06,920 --> 00:26:09,520 Program. The other three missions, namely 468 00:26:09,520 --> 00:26:13,160 inspiration for Axiom 1 and Axiom Two, were focused on 469 00:26:13,160 --> 00:26:16,120 private astronauts. The latest mission? 470 00:26:16,120 --> 00:26:19,340 Crew Seven was launched just over a week ago with astronauts 471 00:26:19,340 --> 00:26:22,860 from NASA, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace 472 00:26:22,900 --> 00:26:27,100 Exploration Agency and a cosmonaut from Roscosmos. 473 00:26:27,460 --> 00:26:30,420 Florida's next planned liftoff is a United Launch Alliance 474 00:26:30,460 --> 00:26:33,540 Atlas 5 rocket, which was recently grounded due to 475 00:26:33,540 --> 00:26:35,900 hurricane. Now, this is a part of a 476 00:26:35,900 --> 00:26:38,660 national security mission involving the US Space Force and 477 00:26:38,660 --> 00:26:40,260 the National Reconnaissance Office. 478 00:26:40,660 --> 00:26:43,980 In addition, SpaceX plans to launch another Falcon 9 carrying 479 00:26:43,980 --> 00:26:47,020 a batch of Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Forest 480 00:26:47,020 --> 00:26:49,900 Station. And SpaceX is having a banner 481 00:26:49,900 --> 00:26:51,860 year. Not only did the company 482 00:26:51,860 --> 00:26:55,020 successfully bring back the crew from the ISS, but it also 483 00:26:55,020 --> 00:26:59,060 launched 62nd mission of the year, putting 21 more Starlink 484 00:26:59,060 --> 00:27:02,500 satellites into orbit. SpaceX is really pushing the 485 00:27:02,500 --> 00:27:05,220 envelope in terms of what's possible in space exploration 486 00:27:05,620 --> 00:27:08,900 and satellite development. The Falcon 9 rocket blasted off 487 00:27:08,900 --> 00:27:12,940 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 10:47 PM on 488 00:27:12,940 --> 00:27:15,860 Monday. This is Spacex's 62nd launch 489 00:27:15,860 --> 00:27:19,580 this year, setting a new yearly record for the company, outdoing 490 00:27:19,580 --> 00:27:22,140 its previous record sent last year. 491 00:27:22,180 --> 00:27:25,620 In 2022, the first stage of the Falcon 9 returned to a drone 492 00:27:25,620 --> 00:27:29,140 ship about 9 minutes after liftoff, showcasing once again 493 00:27:29,220 --> 00:27:32,620 the capability of reusable rockets, and the upper stage 494 00:27:32,620 --> 00:27:36,290 deployed the 21 satellites into low Earth orbit roughly an hour 495 00:27:36,290 --> 00:27:38,410 after liftoff. And according to information 496 00:27:38,410 --> 00:27:41,250 available on Spacex's website, this mission also marked a 497 00:27:41,250 --> 00:27:44,450 significant milestone for the Falcon Nine's first stage 498 00:27:44,450 --> 00:27:46,810 booster. It was its 10th launch and 499 00:27:46,810 --> 00:27:50,570 landing early around Monday as we were discussing Spacex's 500 00:27:50,570 --> 00:27:54,050 Dragon spacecraft successfully returned for astronauts from the 501 00:27:54,050 --> 00:27:57,410 International Space Station. The crew had been there for 186 502 00:27:57,410 --> 00:28:00,650 days following their launch in March, engaging in an array of 503 00:28:00,650 --> 00:28:04,020 tasks, from space walks to scientific experiments and 504 00:28:04,020 --> 00:28:07,460 station management. Now, in a post on his X 505 00:28:07,460 --> 00:28:10,500 platform, formerly known as Twitter, Elon praised the 506 00:28:10,500 --> 00:28:12,820 incredible work that SpaceX has done. 507 00:28:13,100 --> 00:28:16,500 SpaceX, as this year, has been responsible for delivering 508 00:28:16,500 --> 00:28:20,420 approximately 80% of all Earth payload mass to orbit. 509 00:28:20,780 --> 00:28:24,260 To put that into perspective, China supplied about 10%, with 510 00:28:24,260 --> 00:28:27,620 the rest of the world contributing the remaining 10%. 511 00:28:27,780 --> 00:28:31,100 That's huge, and they're aiming to escalate the launch frequency 512 00:28:31,570 --> 00:28:36,210 for 10 Falcon flights per month by the end of this year, and to 513 00:28:36,210 --> 00:28:41,610 push it to 12 per month by 2024. And according to the current 514 00:28:41,610 --> 00:28:47,050 stats, SpaceX has completed a total of 261 launches at 223 515 00:28:47,050 --> 00:28:49,970 landings with 195 total reflights. 516 00:28:50,290 --> 00:28:52,410 That's the type of innovation that sets the stays for 517 00:28:52,410 --> 00:28:55,610 ambitious goals like Mars colonization with the Starship, 518 00:28:55,890 --> 00:28:59,530 which has always been a longterm vision for SpaceX and Elon Musk. 519 00:29:00,160 --> 00:29:03,120 Now looking at the future, the next Starlink launch is Friday 520 00:29:03,440 --> 00:29:05,600 and taking off from Cape Canaveral in Florida. 521 00:29:05,920 --> 00:29:09,080 And As for collaborations with NASA, the next one is slated for 522 00:29:09,080 --> 00:29:13,000 at least February of 2024, during which SpaceX will 523 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:16,080 transport the crew 8 astronauts to the International Space 524 00:29:16,080 --> 00:29:18,280 Station. And yes, the hardware 525 00:29:18,280 --> 00:29:22,040 allocations for the Dragon and Falcon rockets are already in 526 00:29:22,040 --> 00:29:26,070 the planning stages. So summing this all up, whether 527 00:29:26,070 --> 00:29:28,990 it's bringing astronauts back to the Earth or setting new records 528 00:29:28,990 --> 00:29:32,790 and satellite launches, SpaceX is propelling everybody into a 529 00:29:32,790 --> 00:29:36,470 new era of space exploration as missions like these that add 530 00:29:36,470 --> 00:29:39,230 building blocks to the foundation of the future, where 531 00:29:39,230 --> 00:29:43,950 travel to the moon, travel to Mars and beyond are all a 532 00:29:43,950 --> 00:29:46,630 possibility now. It's incredible to think that 533 00:29:46,630 --> 00:29:48,510 we're living through this right now. 534 00:29:48,790 --> 00:29:52,270 In an age where all of this is happening right before our eyes, 535 00:29:52,550 --> 00:29:55,970 this Tuesday was a crucial day for SpaceX as a Starship rocket 536 00:29:55,970 --> 00:30:00,010 was stacked atop its Super Heavy booster in South Texas, marking 537 00:30:00,010 --> 00:30:02,610 the beginning of the final preparations for its second 538 00:30:02,610 --> 00:30:06,130 launch. Now, this occasion led to SpaceX 539 00:30:06,130 --> 00:30:10,610 founder Elon Musk to post on X or Twitter that Starship is 540 00:30:10,610 --> 00:30:14,930 ready to launch, awaiting FAA license approval and the mention 541 00:30:14,930 --> 00:30:16,770 of the FAA. The Federal Aviation 542 00:30:16,770 --> 00:30:20,250 Administration is noteworthy. The agency is still engaged in 543 00:30:20,250 --> 00:30:23,130 reviewing documents and data from Spacex's first attempt to 544 00:30:23,130 --> 00:30:26,280 launch Starship in April of 2023. 545 00:30:27,040 --> 00:30:30,640 That initial flight concluded about 90 seconds after liftoff 546 00:30:30,920 --> 00:30:33,680 due to engine difficulties and other problems with the booster. 547 00:30:34,080 --> 00:30:37,640 Now, as part of their ongoing evaluation, the FEA is looking 548 00:30:37,640 --> 00:30:40,320 into several aspects of this incident, such as the 549 00:30:40,320 --> 00:30:43,080 environmental impact at the launch site and the delayed 550 00:30:43,080 --> 00:30:46,080 activation of the Rockets flight termination system. 551 00:30:46,680 --> 00:30:50,800 And in response to these setbacks, SpaceX generated quote 552 00:30:50,880 --> 00:30:54,540 mishap investigation report and submitted it to the FAA. 553 00:30:54,860 --> 00:30:58,340 The FAA in turn will highlight the corrective measures SpaceX 554 00:30:58,580 --> 00:31:00,860 must implement prior to its second test flight. 555 00:31:01,460 --> 00:31:04,940 The objective is to ensure the safety of not only property, but 556 00:31:04,940 --> 00:31:08,700 also humans and wildlife in the vicinity of the South Texas 557 00:31:08,700 --> 00:31:12,180 launch site, which is close to both wetlands and the Gulf of 558 00:31:12,180 --> 00:31:14,620 Mexico. Now, when probed for an update 559 00:31:14,620 --> 00:31:18,600 on this regulatory scrutiny, an FAA spokesperson suggested that 560 00:31:18,600 --> 00:31:20,760 additional information could be forthcoming. 561 00:31:21,000 --> 00:31:25,000 In fact, on Wednesday at 6:00 PM Eastern, the FAA issued a 562 00:31:25,000 --> 00:31:28,680 statement indicating the SpaceX Starship mishap investigation 563 00:31:28,680 --> 00:31:32,360 remains open, clarified that they won't authorize another 564 00:31:32,360 --> 00:31:36,000 Starship launch until SpaceX enacts the identified corrective 565 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:39,440 actions and complies with all license modification. 566 00:31:39,640 --> 00:31:44,330 Prerequisites Now, beyond the regulatory stuff, it's worth 567 00:31:44,330 --> 00:31:47,370 noting the SpaceX has been incredibly busy with 568 00:31:47,370 --> 00:31:49,970 preparations at the Starbase launch site. 569 00:31:50,370 --> 00:31:53,050 They've worked diligently to upgrade the ground systems in 570 00:31:53,050 --> 00:31:56,090 the rocket itself For the second launch attempt in the first 571 00:31:56,090 --> 00:31:59,250 flight, the absence of a sound suppression system caused 572 00:31:59,250 --> 00:32:02,610 significant structural damage, notably sending fragments of 573 00:32:02,610 --> 00:32:05,490 concrete from the launchpad, scattering across the vicinity 574 00:32:05,730 --> 00:32:08,730 of the Starbase location. And in order to mitigate this 575 00:32:08,730 --> 00:32:12,530 issue, SpaceX has constructed and tested a new water deluge in 576 00:32:12,530 --> 00:32:15,930 flame deflector system located under the Starship launch mount. 577 00:32:16,410 --> 00:32:19,330 Now the SpaceX engineering team has also been occupied with 578 00:32:19,330 --> 00:32:22,210 enhancing the interstage area between the first stage rocket 579 00:32:22,530 --> 00:32:25,850 and the upper stage Starship vehicle, now referred to as a 580 00:32:25,890 --> 00:32:28,570 hot staging ring. And the aim is to enable the 581 00:32:28,570 --> 00:32:32,210 Starship upper stage engines to ignite even before the Super 582 00:32:32,210 --> 00:32:34,530 heavy first stage finishes its burn. 583 00:32:35,410 --> 00:32:38,010 Although this is an intricate operation, a successful 584 00:32:38,010 --> 00:32:41,130 execution could significantly boost the mass to orbit 585 00:32:41,130 --> 00:32:42,690 performance of this launch vehicle. 586 00:32:43,300 --> 00:32:46,220 And in preparation for the upcoming test flight, SpaceX has 587 00:32:46,220 --> 00:32:50,140 carried out two hot fire tests of the Booster 9 rocket and also 588 00:32:50,140 --> 00:32:52,940 ran tests on the Starship upper stage Ship 25. 589 00:32:53,260 --> 00:32:55,900 And both sets of hardware have mainly passed these trials. 590 00:32:56,140 --> 00:32:59,540 And the next test flight, unlike commercial missions, will not 591 00:32:59,540 --> 00:33:03,260 carry any payloads or people. And the objective is to test the 592 00:33:03,260 --> 00:33:07,060 performance of the 33 Raptor rocket engines in the booster 593 00:33:07,260 --> 00:33:10,660 along with stage separation and the ignition of Starship 6 594 00:33:10,660 --> 00:33:12,780 engines. And should the flight proceed as 595 00:33:12,780 --> 00:33:16,220 planned, Starship will complete almost 3/4 of an orbit around 596 00:33:16,220 --> 00:33:20,460 Earth before making a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean north of 597 00:33:20,460 --> 00:33:24,540 Hawaiian Island of Kauai. Now, while the exact flight path 598 00:33:24,540 --> 00:33:28,020 might still be under wraps, pending FAA approval and other 599 00:33:28,020 --> 00:33:31,340 regulatory checks, the anticipated trajectory does give 600 00:33:31,340 --> 00:33:34,700 us plenty to talk about. Starship, once launched, aims to 601 00:33:34,740 --> 00:33:37,380 achieve a series of milestones that not only demonstrate the 602 00:33:37,380 --> 00:33:40,700 feasibility of the technology, but also provide invaluable data 603 00:33:40,700 --> 00:33:43,020 for future, more complex missions. 604 00:33:43,260 --> 00:33:45,660 The first part of the flight involves the ignition of super 605 00:33:45,660 --> 00:33:49,700 heavy 33 Raptor rocket engines. These engines are expected to 606 00:33:49,700 --> 00:33:52,620 generate a massive amount of thrust, propelling the vehicle 607 00:33:52,620 --> 00:33:55,460 through Earth's atmosphere. It's crucial for all these 608 00:33:55,460 --> 00:33:58,300 engines to operate in synchronization, not just for 609 00:33:58,300 --> 00:34:01,980 liftoff, but also as the vehicle ascends. the Super Heavy booster 610 00:34:01,980 --> 00:34:04,820 is the real workhorse here, designed to lift the entire 611 00:34:04,820 --> 00:34:08,260 rocket assembly until it reaches a designated altitude where 612 00:34:08,260 --> 00:34:12,139 stage separation occurs. Now, upon reaching this 613 00:34:12,139 --> 00:34:15,860 altitude, a highly crucial part of the mission takes place. 614 00:34:15,980 --> 00:34:19,260 The stage separation is where the Super heavy detaches from 615 00:34:19,260 --> 00:34:22,179 the Starship upper stage, and at this point the upper stage, 616 00:34:22,179 --> 00:34:25,820 which has its own set of 6 Raptor engines, ignites to 617 00:34:25,820 --> 00:34:29,130 continue the journey into space. Now this stage aims to carry 618 00:34:29,130 --> 00:34:31,810 Starship almost 3/4 of an orbit around Earth. 619 00:34:32,170 --> 00:34:35,130 It's a complex dance to physics and engineering requiring 620 00:34:35,130 --> 00:34:39,050 precise timing and flawless execution from both hardware and 621 00:34:39,050 --> 00:34:42,489 software systems on board. And one of the most innovative 622 00:34:42,489 --> 00:34:45,409 features expected to be tested is the hot staging ring, 623 00:34:45,770 --> 00:34:48,449 designed to facilitate the seamless transition between the 624 00:34:48,449 --> 00:34:51,409 Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage. 625 00:34:51,840 --> 00:34:55,159 And the hot staging rain would theoretically enable the upper 626 00:34:55,159 --> 00:34:58,720 stage engines to ignite even before Super Heavy has completed 627 00:34:58,720 --> 00:35:01,560 its burn and separated. This complicated maneuver of 628 00:35:01,560 --> 00:35:04,960 successfully executed would revolutionize the mass to orbit 629 00:35:04,960 --> 00:35:08,080 performance metrics, allowing heavier payloads to be carried 630 00:35:08,080 --> 00:35:12,360 to space with greater efficiency And after cleaning nearly 75% of 631 00:35:12,400 --> 00:35:15,160 US orbit, the plan is for Starship to descend into the 632 00:35:15,160 --> 00:35:18,240 Pacific Ocean north of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. 633 00:35:19,200 --> 00:35:21,810 This segment of the mission is equally critical because it 634 00:35:21,810 --> 00:35:24,450 involves reentry into the atmosphere, which subjects the 635 00:35:24,450 --> 00:35:26,890 spacecraft to extreme temperatures and stresses. 636 00:35:27,250 --> 00:35:30,170 Now, starships, heat shield and other protective measures will 637 00:35:30,170 --> 00:35:33,170 be put to the test here, essentially proving whether the 638 00:35:33,170 --> 00:35:36,690 vehicle is capable of enduring the harsh conditions it would 639 00:35:36,690 --> 00:35:39,690 face in an actual mission beyond Earth to orbit. 640 00:35:40,170 --> 00:35:43,050 Now let's talk about a Super Heavy booster after separation. 641 00:35:43,610 --> 00:35:46,290 The design philosophy behind Super Heavy focuses on 642 00:35:46,290 --> 00:35:49,230 reusability. Post separation, Super Heavy 643 00:35:49,230 --> 00:35:52,590 will execute a controlled descent burn back to Earth in 644 00:35:52,590 --> 00:35:55,190 The booster aims to land vertically as a designated 645 00:35:55,190 --> 00:35:59,190 platform, a maneuver that SpaceX has perfected with its Falcon 9 646 00:35:59,190 --> 00:36:01,390 rockets. And achieving this with a Super 647 00:36:01,390 --> 00:36:04,790 Heavy booster would be another monumental milestone considering 648 00:36:04,790 --> 00:36:06,830 its enormous size and complexity. 649 00:36:07,190 --> 00:36:11,510 The booster is about 250 feet tall now. 650 00:36:11,510 --> 00:36:14,470 By studying each segment of the flight path in extreme detail, 651 00:36:14,470 --> 00:36:18,440 SpaceX aims together a treasure trove of data that would inform 652 00:36:18,440 --> 00:36:22,040 future missions, be a lunar landings, Marcus Expeditions, or 653 00:36:22,040 --> 00:36:25,280 even more ambitious yet to be announced adventures into the 654 00:36:25,280 --> 00:36:27,600 cosmos. And every piece of information, 655 00:36:27,840 --> 00:36:30,960 from engine performance and stage separation to reentry 656 00:36:30,960 --> 00:36:34,880 dynamics and splashdown is a puzzle piece in the grand scheme 657 00:36:35,200 --> 00:36:38,400 of the Starship. Thank you for joining us today 658 00:36:38,720 --> 00:36:40,720 on this episode of the Elon Musk Podcast. 659 00:36:40,720 --> 00:36:43,400 If you enjoyed what you heard, please make sure to hit the 660 00:36:43,400 --> 00:36:46,800 follow or subscribe button on your preferred podcast platform. 661 00:36:47,150 --> 00:36:49,950 It's free, only takes a second, but it shows you won't miss out 662 00:36:49,950 --> 00:36:53,310 on future episodes about Starship, SpaceX or anything 663 00:36:53,310 --> 00:36:55,990 Elon Musk. And remember that this podcast 664 00:36:55,990 --> 00:36:58,270 is brought to you by the support of our listeners who are part of 665 00:36:58,270 --> 00:37:01,390 the Elon Musk Investors Club. To keep us going strong, head 666 00:37:01,390 --> 00:37:05,230 over to join the club elon.com and become a member. 667 00:37:05,470 --> 00:37:08,110 And until next time, take care of yourselves and each other, 668 00:37:08,470 --> 00:37:09,550 and I'll see you in the next one.