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☆ Tesla factory workers reportedly say they're getting in shouting matches — and sometimes even fights break out
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Some workers from the Texas factory told The Information that verbal fights occur at the facility on a near-daily basis — and even some physical fights have taken place, they said. Some workers told the publication that employees were taking Adderall and sleeping at the factory in order to keep up with Elon Musk's deadlines. Musk has been known to run his companies with high intensity, sometimes calling for work sprints and even sleeping on the factory floor at Tesla. Ahead of the 2017 release of the Model 3, Musk famously pushed workers at Tesla's Fremont factory through "production hell." "Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our employees," A Tesla representative told Insider in 2018.

Persons: Elon Musk, —, Tesla's Austin gigafactory, Elon, Tesla, Travis, Musk, Austin gigafactory, we've Organizations: Service, Local, Police, Occupational Safety, Health Administration, Austin, San Antonio Express, Business, Reuters, SpaceX, Bloomberg Locations: Texas, Tesla's, Travis County ( Texas, Tesla

☆ Ron Baron expects SpaceX's Starlink to go public around 2027
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Billionaire investor Ron Baron told CNBC on Friday that he expects SpaceX to IPO its Starlink satellite internet service "in 2027 or so." "We think that by the time they go public with SpaceX, with Starlink … in 2027 or so, four years, the company will be worth $250 billion to $300 billion," Baron said, speaking to CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin. Earlier this month, Baron told MarketWatch his eponymous firm's ownership of SpaceX stock was currently valued at about $1.7 billion. Last year, Musk told employees that taking the business public wasn't likely until 2025 or later. SpaceX's valuation has soared to about $150 billion, with Starlink seen as a key economic driver of the company's goals.

Persons: Ron Baron, Starlink …, Baron, CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin, SpaceX didn't, Musk, Starlink Organizations: CNBC, SpaceX Locations: Elon

☆ 4 experts explain why Elon Musk's plan to colonize Mars is 'romanticized', not 'realistic', 'cosmic vandalism'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Maiya Focht | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

Four scientists told Insider his plan is bad for technical, scientific, and ethical reasons. Yes, experts agree we might want to settle other worlds, but Mars might not be our best bet, at least not now, four scientists told Insider. SpaceX's first priority is "establishing a cargo route to Mars," Musk told the Washington Post in 2016. From Mars, Musk told the IAC, people could go to the asteroid belts, the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, and the Kuiper belt. AdvertisementAdvertisementEssentially, terraforming Mars would involve melting its polar ice caps, which would release CO2 reserves.

Persons: Elon Musk, —, Ray Bradbury's, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christopher Edwards, He's, Musk, Refugio Ruiz Musk's, they'd, he's, Edwards, PATRICK T, FALLON, there's, Bruce Jakosky, Jakosky, Andrew Coates, Coates, Mars, terraformed, Alexander Gerst, Rachael Seidler, Refugio Ruiz, Seidler, Jeff Bezos, Buzz Aldrin, Chris McKay, " Edwards, that's Organizations: Service, Northern Arizona University, SpaceX, Mars SpaceX, International Astronautical, Washington Post, IAC, Elon Musk, NASA, Getty, Mars, ESA, University College London's, Science, University of Florida, AP, JPL, Caltech, SETI, Center for Strategic, International Studies, NASA's Ames Research Center Locations: Texas, Mars

"SpaceX's discriminatory hiring practices were routine, widespread, and longstanding, and harmed asylees and refugees," Justice Department lawyers wrote in the lawsuit. AdvertisementAdvertisement"Export control laws and regulations do not prohibit or restrict employers from hiring asylees and refugees; those laws treat asylees and refugees just like U.S. citizens," the lawsuit says. The Justice Department's civil rights division, which brought the lawsuit, informed SpaceX in 2020 that it had initiated its investigation. SpaceX initially refused to hand over employment records and fought a Justice Department subpoena in court. "SpaceX recruiters and high-level officials took actions that actively discouraged asylees and refugees from seeking work opportunities at the company," Clarke said.

Persons: Elon Musk, asylees, Musk, Kristen Clarke, Clarke, SpaceX didn't, Tesla Organizations: SpaceX, Elon Musk's, Service, Justice, Defense, State, Justice Department, Twitter Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ SpaceX reportedly turned a profit in the first quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Sara Salinas | In Saracsalinas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

SpaceX turned a profit during the first quarter due to surging revenue, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, citing documents detailing the privately held company's quarterly and annual results. The Journal reports that SpaceX posted a first-quarter profit of $55 million on revenue of $1.5 billion. For the full year 2022, Elon Musk's rocket company posted a loss of $559 million on revenue of $4.6 billion, the report says. SpaceX tallied $5.2 billion in total expenses last year, up from $3.3 billion the year earlier, according to the Journal. Read the full report at The Wall Street Journal.

Persons: Elon, SpaceX didn't Organizations: SpaceX, Street, Elon Musk's, Journal, Wall Street

☆ Some Starlink customers say they're nervous that SpaceX will continue hiking prices after their subscription cost jumped to $120 a month
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

It's the second time SpaceX has increased Starlink prices in a year. Some customers said they were worried SpaceX would increase prices further. It's the second time in a year that SpaceX has hiked Starlink service prices. Multiple Starlink customers who were notified about the price increase this week told Insider they weren't happy about paying more for the service. The company's email to customers said the company was launching more satellites to increase Starlink capacity and frequently updating the network to improve the service.

☆ SpaceX invites customers to try global roaming Starlink service, which costs $800 upfront and works almost anywhere on land
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

SpaceX unveiled in an email to customers its global roaming service for Starlink internet. The service costs $200 per month and $599 for the Starlink kit, emails appear to show. "Global Roaming services are contingent on regulatory approvals," SpaceX said in the email, linking to its map, which shows where Starlink is authorized. PC Mag reported that SpaceX also sent the email to waitlist customers in countries where the satellite internet service isn't available yet, including Greenland. The rollout of the $200 roaming service comes after SpaceX said it had struggled to fund Starlink, especially during the Ukraine war.

☆ Elon Musk hit back at ex-NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, saying SpaceX's Starlink should not be used to help fight the war in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Elon Musk's SpaceX banned Ukraine from using its Starlink internet service for military purposes. Musk has defended his decision, saying Starlink should not be used to fight the war. Kelly tagged Musk in a tweet on Saturday, asking him to "restore the full functionality" of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites in Ukraine. But there have been reports of the Ukrainian military using Starlink on drones. The Times of London reported in March 2022 that a Ukrainian drone unit was using Starlink to help destroy Russian tanks and trucks at night.

☆ NASA asks SpaceX whether it could return 3 astronauts from the ISS in the event of an emergency following a coolant leak in the Russian spacecraft
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

NASA has considered SpaceX for a backup plan to return the ISS crew to Earth amid the Soyuz leak. NASA and Russia's space agency Roscosmos were working together to investigate the leak and determine the next steps, per the agency. Footage shared by NASA in December showed the leak, which resembled white particles, spraying out of the Soyuz spacecraft, which is docked to the ISS. Roscosmos said on December 22 that it was considering a "rescue" mission to ferry the crew members back to Earth earlier than expected, Reuters reported. This would involve flying an empty spacecraft to the ISS to pick them up, per the report.

☆ Elon Musk's government satellite network Starshield will help pump money into cash-strapped Starlink, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

SpaceX's government satellite network Starshield will bring in extra cash for Starlink, per experts. Elon Musk's SpaceX announced Starshield on its website in early December, but has given no further details about the network. Starshield, which is specifically for governmental use, will provide a means of financially boosting Starlink, experts in the satellite industry told Insider. "Starlink needs to start earning some money," Bill Ray, vice president analyst at management consulting firm Gartner, told Insider. He said Starlink needs between five and 10 million customers to be viable.

☆ A SpaceX director defended Elon Musk after Twitter layoffs, telling employees to show some empathy for the billionaire, report says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A SpaceX director told Twitter staff to show empathy for Elon Musk after mass layoffs, per Bloomberg. Staff have called Gracias and other people Musk has brought into Twitter as "goons," per the report. Twitter employees have referred to these people as "the goons," per Bloomberg. Gracias, Twitter, and SpaceX didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment made outside of normal US operating hours. It follows the loss of thousands of Twitter employees through firings, layoffs, and resignations since Musk bought the platform in late October.

☆ Ex-Tesla and SpaceX managers say Elon Musk's commitment to his companies is often inspirational but can also turn toxic
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ex-SpaceX and Tesla workers said his commitment was often inspirational. The comments came after Musk gave Twitter employees an ultimatum last week: work "extremely hardcore" or resign. Musk's strict work ethic and aggressive goals have also been evident at some of his other companies. Last year, Musk told SpaceX employees a lack of progress on Starship engines created a "risk of bankruptcy," per a memo obtained by CNBC. He also urged Tesla workers in an email seen by Reuters to "go super hardcore" to finish the quarter strong.

☆ Elon Musk can be 'vicious' in the workplace, a former SpaceX VP says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Grace Dean | Kiera Fields | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A former SpaceX VP says Elon Musk can be "vicious" in the workplace. Jim Cantrell told Insider staff never knew whether there were getting "good Elon" or "bad Elon." He added Musk could change Twitter's business performance "from sheer force of willpower." Musk added Twitter to his portfolio in late October, acquiring the social-media platform for $44 billion. One workplace-culture expert previously told Insider that Musk's "autocratic leadership" would be in "great contrast with the type of openness and flexible mindset that is integral to Twitter's culture."

☆ Elon Musk says SpaceX won't cut off Starlink in Ukraine even if the US government refuses to fund the internet service
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Elon Musk said SpaceX wouldn't stop Starlink in Ukraine even if the Pentagon declined to fund it. SpaceX asked the Pentagon to fund Starlink in Ukraine because the company said it couldn't afford it. Despite this, Musk has said SpaceX was burning around $20 million per month to keep the service running in Ukraine and Starlink was losing money. Although Musk said the costs were "unreasonable," he then backtracked on his refusal and said SpaceX would continue to fund Starlink in Ukraine. Politico reported on October 17 that the Pentagon has discussed whether to fund Starlink, according to two US officials involved with the project.

☆ SpaceX was fined more than $18,000 after an incident that put one of Elon Musk's workers in a coma for months
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( Sam Tabahriti | Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

SpaceX was fined just over $18,000 following an accident at its facility in Hawthorne, California. Elon Musk's firm was charged with two violations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said in an accident investigation summary that it fined SpaceX $18,475 for two safety violations following the incident, which was first reported by Semafor. The engineer was Francisco Cabada, a father of three from Los Angeles, former SpaceX intern Julia CrowleyFarenga told Insider. In the investigation summary, OSHA said he was performing checks on a Raptor V2 engine in January when he "suffered a skull fracture and head trauma and was hospitalized in a coma for months."

☆ A SpaceX engineer was knocked unconscious in January and placed in coma after conducting a routine rocket test
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Kate Duffy | Sam Tabahriti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A SpaceX engineer was injured while testing a rocket part, leaving him in a coma for months, sources say. The regulatory agency fined SpaceX more than $18,400 over two safety violations from the accident. OSHA fined SpaceX more than $18,400 over two safety violations from the accident in January. The attorney of Cabada told Semafor that an investigation into what caused the accident was underway. Semafor reported that former employees said SpaceX hasn't made a public announcement about the accident.

Frontier Airlines "recently" held discussions with SpaceX about adding its Starlink satellite internet service to its planes and is more hopeful about adding such a product than in previous years, the carrier's CEO told CNBC on Thursday. Adding Starlink's Wi-Fi would be a departure for the budget carrier, which doesn't currently offer inflight internet service. Most major U.S. airlines offer Wi-Fi on board for a fee, though many are trying to improve the quality and lower the cost. In June, the FCC authorized SpaceX to provide mobile Starlink internet service to boats, planes and trucks. Denver-based Frontier has explored adding Wi-Fi on board before and frequently talks with other providers but, so far, hasn't been able to justify the cost.

☆ SpaceX says FCC's 'grossly unfair' rejection of $886 million Starlink subsidy leaves many Americans stranded on the wrong side of the digital divide
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-12 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

SpaceX said the FCC's rejection of an $886 million Starlink subsidy was "unreasonable" and "unfair." It leaves Americans stranded on the wrong side of the digital divide, SpaceX said in a filing. Turning down a subsidy for Starlink internet leaves many Americans "stranded indefinitely on the wrong side of the digital divide," Goldman said. He said the rejection of SpaceX's application for the subsidy was "erroneous and unreasonable," as well as "contrary to the evidence" and "grossly unfair." The FCC and SpaceX didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment made outside of normal working hours.

☆ SpaceX and ULA set to launch robots into orbit next year that will grab space junk and fix satellites
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-27 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rogue Space Systems' robots will carry out different tasks, like fixing satellites and tackling space debris. Barry, a space robot built by Rogue Space Systems. Rogue Space Systems. Laura, a space robot built by Rogue Space Systems. Fred, a space robot built by Rogue Space Systems.

☆ FCC commissioner slams the agency for rejecting Elon Musk's bid for $886 million in funding to SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-25 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Commissioner Brendan Carr slammed the FCC for denying SpaceX $886 million in US subsidies to expand Starlink. Carr said he was surprised to find out via an FCC press release that the agency had changed its mind on providing funding to Starlink. As part of an FCC program to introduce high-speed internet to rural US locations, SpaceX in 2020 won tentative approval for $886 million in funding to deploy Starlink. The FCC and SpaceX didn't respond to Insider's request for comment made outside of US operating hours. It follows the US Air Force awarding SpaceX a $1.92 million contract for Starlink to support US military bases in Europe and Africa.

☆ Elon Musk's SpaceX lands $2 million Air Force deal for Starlink internet despite FCC's rejection of $886 million subsidy
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-17 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

SpaceX has landed a $2 million Air Force contract to provide Starlink in Europe and Africa. SpaceX has the most well-established satellite network compared to other firms, the Air Force said. Under the contract, Starlink, which has more than 2,700 satellites in orbit, will support the Air Force's 86th Airlift Wing based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The Air Force also said it expected Starlink to provide up to 500 megabits per second download speed and low latency connectivity. SpaceX was seeking funding for Starlink to provide internet within rural communities in almost 650,000 locations across 35 states.

☆ SpaceX says researchers are welcome to hack Starlink and can be paid up to $25,000 for finding bugs in the network
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-15 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Elon Musk's SpaceX said it encourages researchers to hack Starlink in a non-disruptive way. If researchers submit findings through SpaceX's bug bounty program, they could be paid up to $25,000. In a six-page document entitled "Starlink welcomes security researchers (bring on the bugs)," SpaceX congratulated Wouters on his research. Wouters' hack involving a homemade circuit board shouldn't worry any Starlink users and won't directly affect the satellites, SpaceX added. The company's own engineers are always trying to hack Starlink to improve the service and make it more secure, SpaceX said in the document.

☆ NASA awards SpaceX a $255 million contract to launch the next space telescope, which will study dark energy and exoplanets
▼ + stars: | 2022-07-20 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Elon Musk's SpaceX will launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope in 2026 under a new NASA contract. The telescope will study dark energy, dark matter, galaxies, and exoplanets, NASA said. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which is 2.4 meters in diameter, is slated to launch in October 2026, the space agency said in a press release. Under the contract, SpaceX will launch the telescope on a Falcon Heavy rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. According to NASA, the Roman telescope will launch on a Falcon Heavy rocket, which SpaceX bills as "the world's most powerful rocket."

☆ Liquid nitrogen leaked onto wetlands around SpaceX launch pad before rocket-test explosion, federal regulators confirm
▼ + stars: | 2022-07-15 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

There was a liquid-nitrogen leak at SpaceX's Texas launch site, federal regulators told Bloomberg. An aerial video shows patches of wetland that are snow-white from the liquid-nitrogen leak. Elon Musk's aerospace company uses liquid nitrogen as a coolant when launching rockets. Bloomberg reported that the leak happened three days before SpaceX's Starship rocket booster prototype burst into flames at the launch site. SpaceX didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider about the liquid-nitrogen leak outside normal business hours.

☆ Elon Musk pushes back SpaceX's Starlink public offering again by up to 4 years, report says
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-08 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Elon Musk said SpaceX's Starlink will not go public for another three to four years, CNBC reported. He told SpaceX employees that going public isn't always "a sure path to riches," per the report. It's the latest delay to Starlink's IPO, which Musk said in 2019 could go public this year. When Starlink reaches this point, taking it public would "make a lot of sense," Musk told SpaceX workers, according to the recording obtained by CNBC. "Being public is definitely an invitation to pain," Musk told SpaceX employees, according to the recording cited by CNBC.

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