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SpaceX has launched 21 Starlink satellites into orbit via the first Falcon 9 rocket launch of 2024. Six of these satellites support Direct to Cell (DTC) technology, enabling regular smartphones to connect to them without any modifications.
This provides global connectivity for smartphones. Each beam can only support up to 7 Mbps, making it a suitable solution for areas without cellular coverage. However, it cannot compete with existing terrestrial cellular networks, as stated by Musk.
In October, it was reported that Musk’s net worth decreased by $16bn in just 24 hours due to the decline in Tesla shares, which fell by 9.3% to $220. The corporation’s net income decreased by 1.8 times at the end of the third quarter, which was followed by the release of this information. Despite this, billionaire Musk still holds the top spot on the list of the world’s richest entrepreneurs with a fortune of $210 billion.
On 29 December, Musk’s Falcon Heavy rocket launched the X-37B spaceplane into orbit. The launch occurred from Launch Complex 39A at Cape Canaveral in Florida. The specific tasks of X-37B are classified information, but it is noted that a wide range of tests and experiments were conducted.
Content is based on publicly available data
