SpaceX founder Elon Musk wants to build a “self-sustaining city” on Mars September 27, 2016 SpaceX founder Elon Musk has revealed plans to build a "self-sustaining city" on Mars and make humans a "multi-planetary species" within our lifetimes – and said manned missions to the Red Planet could begin as soon as 2022. Musk unveiled plans for an “interplanetary transport system” to colonise the planet during an address at the [...]
Inmarsat on the search for next generation of space engineers September 22, 2016 British satellite company Inmarsat has launched an attempt to find the next generation of so-called space pioneers. The programme, which is designed to kick-start the space engineering careers of five science, technology, engineering or maths (Stem) graduates, was unveiled by astronaut Tim Peake in London. Successful applicants selected from UK and European universities will have [...]
Elon Musk just went on a mini rant about the SpaceX Falcon fireball September 9, 2016 Tesla founder and tech-world entrepreneur Elon Musk has been on a mini-rant today about the explosion that engulfed his SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket last week. Musk's SpaceX is a space tourism company that is aiming to take humans to Mars by 2025. But the forward-looking group suffered a major setback during pre-launch testing last week, when it [...]
The Juno probe has begun its scientific orbit around Jupiter: We speak to the man who helped build it about the challenges of reaching the red giant September 5, 2016 As the Juno space probe approached Jupiter, the massive gravitational pull of our solar system’s largest planet accelerated the craft to a speed of 265,000km/h. That made it the fastest man-made object in history. At its top speed, Juno could travel from Brighton to Aberdeen in under ten seconds. Juno gathered speed by slingshotting around the [...]
This satellite firm wants millions from SpaceX after rocket explosion September 5, 2016 It's not great when your experimental rocket ship explodes. It's even less great when said rocket is carrying some rather expensive equipment. The owner of the satellite on board the SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket which was last week destroyed by an unexpected and fiery explosion has now demanded $50m (£38m) from Elon Musk's company – or a free ride [...]
Inmarsat places $650m bond but isn’t planning to splash the cash September 1, 2016 Satellite company Inmarsat reached for the sky and succeeded as it successfully placed $650m of convertible debt. The placing was $50m more than the original deal size and Inmarsat said it reflected the “considerable demand” for the bonds which have a maturity that stretches out to 2023. “It was a popular placing that was oversubscribed [...]
The SpaceX rocket explosion destroyed Facebook’s first satellite September 1, 2016 A SpaceX rocket has exploded during pre-launch testing, destroying Facebook's first satellite which was due to be launched into orbit. A huge plume of black smoke could be seen over the Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral in Florida. SpaceX leases the launch pad from Nasa. The Falcon-9 rocket created by Elon Musk's SpaceX has notched 26 successful launches [...]
Great expectations: Are ambitious goals a recipe for success or demotivation? August 17, 2016 Tesla chief executive Elon Musk outlined last month an update to the “master plan” he published a decade ago. He was vague on detail, but the car manufacturer is to develop electric cars, trucks, buses, and an app through which customers will be able to lease their vehicle. Next to his other venture, Space X, [...]
Meet the most influential British innovator in the world August 2, 2016 Demis Hassabis, the man who founded the multi-million pound artificial intelligence company acquired by Google, has been named the most influential British innovator in the world. DeepMind hit headlines in 2014 when it was bought by Google for £400m and this year did it again when its machine learning technology beat the world-leading player of the [...]
As Tesla unveils plans for a “solar-roof-with-battery product”, will Elon Musk’s company make money any time soon? July 22, 2016 James Hind, chief executive of Carwow, says Yes. Tesla has built a highly desirable brand, as shown by the huge number of pre-orders for the Model 3. Demand for its cars will therefore be strong – even if other manufacturers manage to rival its electric technology. The company is spending a lot on setting up supply, [...]