spacex

On This Day: The 19th Amendment guaranteeing women’s suffrage was passed in 1919

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On This Day: The 19th Amendment guaranteeing women’s suffrage was passed in 1919

Major events that occurred on June 4 include the first successful hot-air balloon flight by the Montgolfier brothers in 1783, the presentation of the first Pulitzer Prizes in the US in 1917, the passing of the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women’s suffrage in 1919, the capture of the German U-boat U-505 during WWII in 1942, the introduction of the modern shopping cart in Oklahoma City in 1970, the release of Bruce Springsteen’s album “Born in the U.S.A.” in 1984, the suppression of the Tiananmen Square protests in China in 1989, and the successful maiden voyage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in 2010.

Janet Yellen says America won’t back a billionaire tax

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Janet Yellen says America won't back a billionaire tax

World leaders are considering a global tax on the world’s richest people, but the U.S. does not support the idea.

Musk arrives in Indonesia’s Bali for planned Starlink launch

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Musk arrives in Indonesia’s Bali for planned Starlink launch

Elon Musk arrived in Bali to launch SpaceX’s Starlink internet service in Indonesia. The government hopes this will improve internet access and health services in remote areas. Musk will collaborate with Indonesian officials and President Joko Widodo for the launch. Starlink has already secured a permit to operate in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. It is also used in Ukraine for military, hospitals, businesses, and aid organizations.

Last Year, $1,748 of Your Taxes Went to Corporate Pentagon Contractors

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Last Year, $1,748 of Your Taxes Went to Corporate Pentagon Contractors

The Institute for Policy Studies releases a tax receipt each year to show where taxpayers’ money goes. In 2023, the average taxpayer spent ,974 on the Pentagon, with 5 going to troops’ salaries and ,748 going to corporate Pentagon contractors. The Pentagon budget is set to increase by billion in 2024, with half going to for-profit contractors. This spending on military contracts could be redirected to programs like the Child Tax Credit and renewable energy, which have proven benefits for society.

Musk defends his ketamine use as beneficial for investors

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Musk defends his ketamine use as beneficial for investors

Elon Musk stated in a video interview that his ketamine prescription has been beneficial for Tesla’s investors, as it helps him manage a condition similar to depression. He mentioned that from Wall Street’s perspective, execution is what matters and argued that Tesla’s valuation is as much as the rest of the car industry combined. A Wall Street Journal investigation had previously reported Musk’s use of drugs, raising concerns about potential violations of federal policies that could affect SpaceX’s government contracts. Musk responded to these concerns by stating he agreed to three years of random drug testing by NASA, with no trace quantities of drugs or alcohol found. He confirmed having a doctor’s prescription for ketamine, taking a small amount every other week.

SpaceX Starship lost on return to Earth after completing most of test flight

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SpaceX Starship lost on return to Earth after completing most of test flight

SpaceX’s Starship rocket, aimed at future astronaut missions to the moon and beyond, nearly completed a full test flight on its third attempt, cruising through low orbit before being destroyed upon return to Earth. The spacecraft lost communication during atmospheric re-entry and was presumed lost either due to burning up, disintegration, or crashing into the sea. Despite this, the test marked a significant step in the development of Starship, crucial for both SpaceX’s satellite launch business and NASA’s moon program. The two-stage spacecraft, composed of the Starship vessel and Super Heavy rocket booster, launched from Texas, reaching altitudes of 145 miles (234 km). SpaceX’s approach involves pushing spacecraft to failure to refine improvements, indicating Starship is still far from operational readiness. Elon Musk envisions Starship for lunar and Mars missions and as a replacement for the Falcon 9 rocket in commercial launches.