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Time Is Money

Oct 20, 2024 • 4 min read

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6G Technology Breakthrough
SpaceX Space Force Contract

Week Recap:

SpaceX marked a new achievement by catching its Starship booster mid-air for the first time during the fifth test flight of its Super Heavy booster. The launch occurred at 7:25 AM Central Time from SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas, as part of the company’s broader efforts to make space travel more reusable. After reaching a high altitude, the Super Heavy booster reignited its engines and returned to the launch site, where it was captured mid-air by two mechanical arms, mounted on the launch tower.
On October 11th, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted a series of airstrikes against multiple ISIS camps in Syria, aimed at disrupting the group’s ability to coordinate and carry out attacks. These airstrikes specifically targeted known ISIS operational hubs as part of the U.S.’s ongoing counterterrorism strategy in the region. U.S. military reports indicate no civilian casualties resulted from these strikes, though further damage assessments are still being conducted. This operation is part of a broader U.S. effort to prevent ISIS from regaining the strength it once held.
Google has agreed to purchase 500 megawatts of power from seven small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) to be built by Kairos Power. These reactors, planned to begin operation by the end of the decade, will likely be located near Google’s data centers, though it is unclear whether the energy will be supplied directly or through the grid.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced a series of successful airstrikes targeting key weapons storage facilities controlled by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen. These facilities housed advanced weapons used by the Houthis to attack U.S. and international vessels in strategic waterways like the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Israel recently announced the successful killing of Yahya Sinwar, a prominent Hamas leader responsible for planning the October 7, 2023, attacks that left over 1,200 Israelis dead and resulted in hostages being taken to Gaza. Sinwar, considered a key figure within Hamas, was targeted in a military operation in southern Gaza. He had been evading capture for over a year by using the group’s extensive network of underground tunnels, which enabled him to move covertly and coordinate attacks.

6G Technology Breakthrough:

Researchers at University College London (UCL) have achieved a major breakthrough in 6G technology, reaching data speeds of 938 gigabits per second (Gbps), over 9,000 times faster than today’s 5G networks. To put it simply, this would allow you to download a full high-definition movie in just one second. The team achieved these speeds by expanding the range of frequencies used, from the usual 5 GHz up to 150 GHz, and by combining traditional radio signals with light-based signals.
This new approach allows for faster, more reliable data transmission by using a broader spectrum, avoiding congestion and improving efficiency. What makes this breakthrough special is how the researchers combined electronic and optical technologies. Typically, data is transmitted through radio waves, but by adding light signals, they could increase the speed and amount of data sent. This clever combination means faster internet connections and fewer delays, making activities like streaming, gaming, and even remote work smoother and quicker.
While the technology is still being tested in the lab, UCL aims to develop a practical product within the next three to five years that could revolutionize how we communicate. Now that this technique has been developed, other researchers and companies can explore this combination of technologies to improve communication even further. This could lead to new innovations and faster development of ultra-high-speed networks, creating a ripple effect of improvements across the industry.

SpaceX Space Force Contract:

On October 18 SpaceX was awarded a contract by the U.S. Space Force for eight launches, valued at $733 million. The contract is part of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 program, specifically under Lane 1, which focuses on less demanding, lower-risk missions. The agreement includes seven launches for the Space Development Agency and one for the National Reconnaissance Office, all scheduled to use the Falcon 9 rocket, with missions expected to begin between 2025 and 2026.
The NSSL Phase 3 program is designed to promote competition by dividing contracts into two lanes: Lane 1 for routine, near-Earth missions and Lane 2 for more complex, heavy-lift missions requiring advanced capabilities. Earlier this year, the Space Force selected SpaceX, United Launch Alliance (ULA), and Blue Origin to compete for Lane 1 contracts. This division allows for frequent, flexible, and affordable launches, ensuring consistent access to space for critical defense and intelligence missions. The Space Force plans to offer these contracts annually, encouraging ongoing competition and driving innovation in the space industry.
As part of a broader initiative valued at $5.6 billion over five years, with the potential to extend another five years, the NSSL Phase 3 program aims to diversify launch providers, reduce costs, and enhance the ability to deploy essential national security assets into orbit. Over the past decade, SpaceX has dominated U.S. government launch contracts, consistently outperforming competitors like United Launch Alliance (ULA). ULA, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, used to control most national security launches until SpaceX entered the market in 2014. Since 2014, SpaceX has secured the majority of all launch contracts from NASA and the Department of Defense.

Statistic:

Largest German companies by market capitalization:

🇩🇪 SAP: $269.89B
🇩🇪 Siemens: $158.99B
🇩🇪 Deutsche Telekom: $152.68B
🇩🇪 Allianz: $129.18B
🇩🇪 Merck KGaA: $77.65B
🇩🇪 Munich RE (Münchener Rück): $73.28B
🇩🇪 Porsche: $66.50B
🇩🇪 Mercedes-Benz: $66.48B
🇩🇪 Siemens Healthineers: $63.61B
🇩🇪 BMW: $51.75B
🇩🇪 Volkswagen: $51.33B
🇩🇪 DHL Group (Deutsche Post): $48.16B
🇩🇪 BASF: $45.48B
🇩🇪 Adidas: $44.12B
🇩🇪 Deutsche Börse: $43.41B
🇩🇪 Infineon: $43.28B
🇩🇪 E.ON: $36.89B
🇩🇪 Henkel: $36.29B
🇩🇪 Deutsche Bank: $34.43B
🇩🇪 Hannover Rück: $33.70B
🇩🇪 Daimler Truck: $32.76B
🇩🇪 Beiersdorf: $32.17B
🇩🇪 Siemens Energy: $31.16B
🇩🇪 Hapag-Lloyd: $30.23B
🇩🇪 Vonovia: $28.68B

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