United News of Bangladesh

SpaceX is preparing for what could become one of the largest initial public offerings in market history, and the company is inviting everyday investors to take part alongside big financial institutions. The firm, officially known as Space Exploration Technologies Corp., is planning to direct a larger-than-usual portion of its IPO shares to “retail” investors — people who buy and sell stocks through mobile apps or brokerage accounts, rather than large funds like pension or investment firms. Typically, only a small share of IPO stock goes to retail buyers, but in SpaceX’s case it could be as high as 30%. Investors may be able to participate through platforms such as Charles Schwab, Fidelity, Robinhood, SoFi and E-Trade. At Fidelity, some investors with as little as $2,000 in their accounts could qualify, far lower than the usual entry thresholds for similar offerings. However, demand is expected to be so strong that many applicants may not receive shares. Experts also warn that short-term trading could carry risks. Some brokerages may restrict access to future IPOs if investors quickly sell newly acquired shares, especially within days or weeks of listing. Volatility is another concern. With heavy interest from retail traders, analysts expect sharp price swings, similar to so-called “meme stock” rallies seen in recent years, where sudden enthusiasm drove extreme market movements. Historically, IPOs often rise on their first trading day — by an average of about 7% — but long-term performance tends to lag comparable companies over time, according to IPO researcher Jay Ritter. SpaceX also enters the market with significant financial exposure. The company carries about $29.1 billion in debt and reported losses of $4.9 billion last year and another $4.3 billion in early 2026. It has also cautioned investors that it may not achieve profitability in the future, noting the high cost of rocket launches and advanced infrastructure development. Ownership structure is another key issue. The IPO will offer Class A shares with one vote each, while founder Elon Musk will retain control through high-vote Class B shares. After the listing, Musk is expected to hold more than 82% of total voting power, giving him dominant influence over company decisions. Some major institutional investors, including public pension funds in the US, have raised concerns about this structure, warning that it gives Musk excessive control and limits accountability to shareholders. There is also a chance that even people who do not directly invest in the IPO could still end up owning shares indirectly. Large index funds such as those tracking the Nasdaq 100 could add SpaceX soon after listing, depending on eligibility rules, meaning millions of investors may gain exposure automatically. Finally, investors should be careful not to confuse SpaceX with similar tickers. The company is expected to trade under the symbol “SPCX,” which is close to other existing listings in the market.

SpaceX came close to launching its newest and largest Starship rocket on a test flight Thursday evening, but a series of technical problems forced the company to stop the countdown less than 30 seconds before liftoff. The 407-foot-tall rocket was set to begin a test mission from Texas that would have carried it halfway around the globe. However, problems emerged at the newly built launch pad at Starbase near the Mexico border, leaving the company without enough time to fix them before the launch window closed. Later, Elon Musk said a hydraulic pin that secures the launch tower’s arm failed to retract properly. Musk added that if engineers can quickly resolve the issue, another launch attempt could take place on Friday. The delayed launch came just one day after Musk announced that SpaceX plans to become a publicly traded company. The latest version of Starship was carrying 20 mock Starlink satellites that were supposed to be released during the flight before the spacecraft made a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean at the end of the planned one-hour mission. This would have been the 12th test flight for Starship and the first since last fall. NASA is depending on this upgraded version of Starship for its future mission to land astronauts on the moon within the next few years.

Amazon has announced plans to spend about $11.57 billion to acquire Globalstar, aiming to expand its satellite business and compete more strongly in the growing space-based internet market. The deal, revealed on Tuesday, will help Amazon accelerate its long-running low-earth orbit satellite initiative, known as Project Leo, by deploying thousands of satellites to support internet and mobile services. Amazon said the acquisition aligns with its long-term plan to strengthen space-based connectivity and build a next-generation satellite network, which is expected to be operational by 2028. The move will intensify competition with Starlink, launched in 2019 by Elon Musk. Starlink currently has a major lead, with more than 10,000 active satellites serving over 10 million users worldwide, while Amazon’s network has only about 200 satellites in orbit. Starlink operates under SpaceX and is considered a key revenue source for the firm. SpaceX is also preparing for a potential public listing later this year, with its valuation expected to surpass $1 trillion. Even after adding Globalstar’s existing network of around 50 satellites, Amazon will need to significantly scale up production to meet its target of thousands of satellites by 2028. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently said the company has already secured agreements with several major organisations, including Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, AT&T, Vodafone, DIRECTV Latin America, Australia’s National Broadband Network, and NASA, to use its satellite services once the system is fully operational. As part of the deal, Amazon will take control of Globalstar’s infrastructure across multiple locations, including the United States, Ireland, Brazil and France. Founded in 1991, Globalstar provides satellite communication services and has been working with Apple since 2022 to offer emergency “SOS” connectivity on iPhones and Apple Watches. Apple acquired a 20% stake in the company in 2024. Amazon said it has reached an agreement with Apple to continue providing the emergency satellite feature on its devices. Amazon is offering Globalstar investors $90 per share in cash or equivalent Amazon stock under the takeover deal. Meanwhile, Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, is also entering the satellite internet market. Its project, TerraWave, aims to launch at least 5,400 satellites by 2027 to provide connectivity services to large businesses. Source: BBC

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, carrying four astronauts for NASA’s Crew-12 mission, autonomously docked with the International Space Station on Saturday. The spacecraft launched at 5:15 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and reached the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at around 3:15 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday.  The four-member team comprises Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway from NASA, Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency, and cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev from Roscosmos. SpaceX sends new team to ISS after medical emergency Over the nearly eight-month mission, Crew-12 will carry out a range of scientific experiments to support future human missions beyond low Earth orbit and deliver benefits for life on Earth, NASA said.  The crew will investigate pneumonia-causing bacteria to support better cardiovascular therapies and evaluate technologies for producing intravenous fluids on demand for future space missions. They will also assess how different physical traits influence blood circulation during spaceflight. According to NASA, other studies will focus on automated monitoring of plant health and exploring interactions between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes to boost food production in space. Elon Musk’s SpaceX to build self-sustaining Moon city

SpaceX founder Elon Musk said on Sunday that the company is prioritizing plans to build a self-sustaining city on the Moon before attempting a permanent settlement on Mars. Musk explained that a lunar city is faster and more practical than going directly to Mars. The Moon is closer to Earth, with trips taking about two days, compared to six months for Mars. Frequent launch opportunities and easier logistics make the Moon a strategic first step for testing technologies and life-support systems. The Moon city will serve as a base for human habitation, scientific research, and resource extraction, supporting long-term deep-space exploration. NASA’s Artemis program also aligns with this vision, planning sustained lunar missions in the coming years. Musk emphasized that SpaceX’s broader mission remains unchanged: to expand human life beyond Earth. While the Moon is the immediate focus, work on a Mars city could begin in five to seven years, running alongside lunar settlement efforts. Experts say a Moon-first approach allows engineers to develop construction technologies, transportation networks, and survival systems closer to Earth, where missions are easier to support. SpaceX is reportedly considering an initial public offering (IPO) in mid-June, potentially raising $50 billion and valuing the company around $1.5 trillion. A successful lunar city could become humanity’s first permanent settlement beyond Earth and a proving ground for Mars colonization.   With inputs from ‘India Today’

A SpaceX rocket undergoing testing at the company’s Starbase facility in southern Texas exploded late Wednesday, lighting up the night sky with a large fireball. According to SpaceX, the Starship vehicle suffered a “major anomaly” around 11 p.m. while it was stationed on the test stand in preparation for its tenth flight trial. Space station leak concerns can delay astronaut visit from India, Poland, Hungary In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), SpaceX confirmed that a safety perimeter was in place during the test and that all staff members were safe and accounted for. The company, led by CEO Elon Musk, assured that the explosion posed no risk to nearby communities and advised the public against approaching the area. SpaceX added that it is coordinating with local authorities in response to the incident.  

SpaceX suffered the loss of its spacecraft during its latest Starship test flight on Thursday after an exciting booster catch at the launch pad ended in disappointment, reports AP. The spacecraft, a newly upgraded model making its debut, was destroyed in what SpaceX described as a “rapid unscheduled disassembly.” During ascent, its six engines appeared to shut down one by one, with contact lost 8 1/2 minutes into the flight. Bezos' New Glenn rocket successfully orbits on debut flight This test flight aimed to replicate previous missions, sending the spacecraft on a near-global trajectory across the Gulf of Mexico from Texas. It carried 10 dummy satellites to practice deployment procedures. Moments before the spacecraft's loss, SpaceX successfully caught the returning booster using the launch tower's mechanical arms, known as chopsticks. The booster hovered over the pad before being secured by the arms, marking only the second time this manoeuvre had been accomplished. Despite the achievement, the subsequent destruction of the spacecraft left both SpaceX and spectators gathered in southern Texas disheartened. "It was great to see the booster land, but we’re obviously disappointed about the spacecraft," said SpaceX spokesman Dan Huot, emphasising that this was a flight test involving an experimental vehicle. Elon Musk wants to turn SpaceX's Starbase site into Texas The spacecraft had reached an altitude of 90 miles (146 kilometres) and a velocity of 13,245 mph (21,317 kph) before its destruction. Elon Musk later stated on X (formerly Twitter) that a preliminary analysis suggested fuel leakage might have built up pressure in a cavity above the engine firewall. Plans are underway to enhance fire suppression, venting, and leak detection. The 400-foot (123-metre) rocket had launched late in the afternoon from Boca Chica Beach near the Mexican border. The timing aimed to facilitate a daylight entry over the Indian Ocean. However, the spacecraft fell far short of completing its intended trajectory. SpaceX had incorporated several upgrades into the spacecraft for this test and included satellite mockups matching the size of its Starlink internet satellites. Both the spacecraft and the dummy satellites were intended for destruction upon atmospheric re-entry. Musk envisions Starship launching actual Starlink satellites in the near future, followed by other payloads and crewed missions. NASA has already contracted two Starship flights to land astronauts on the moon later this decade, while Musk’s ultimate goal remains Mars. SpaceX launches rescue mission for 2 NASA astronauts who are stuck in space until next year In a separate development, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin launched its newest rocket, New Glenn, from Florida earlier the same day. The rocket successfully reached orbit on its maiden flight, deploying an experimental satellite thousands of miles above Earth. However, its first-stage booster was lost after missing the target landing on a floating platform in the Atlantic.

Bangladesh is set to host an international investment summit in Dhaka, with participation from global business tycoons, including Elon Musk from the United States. Sources close to the government have revealed that a team from the interim government has already extended invitations to global business figures, as the grand gathering of investors is going to be held in Dhaka next April, with Elon Musk expected to attend. “The government is highly optimistic about Elon Musk’s participation. Recently, his senior security advisor visited Dhaka,” an official told UNB on Wednesday. Musk, who recently set a new milestone in global economics, became the first individual to amass a fortune of US $400 billion, according to a Bloomberg report. His wealth has surged due to the market growth of his companies, Tesla and SpaceX, propelling him to the top spot on the list of the world’s richest individuals. The investment summit is tentatively scheduled for mid-April. Preparations are already underway, with a proposed 3-day agenda and a curated guest list. The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) will serve as the main organiser of the summit, with full support from the government and administrative bodies. Read: Elon Musk wants to turn SpaceX's Starbase site into Texas According to the sources, the world’s wealthiest individuals are on the invitation list. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison are also likely to be invited. In an effort to attract these global tycoons, BIDA plans to leverage the recognition of Dr. Yunus. Bangladesh aims to use this event as a platform to draw substantial foreign investment. In a related development, U.S. President Donald Trump’s re-election has further enhanced Elon Musk’s business prospects. His significant role in Trump’s election campaign is seen as a factor in the favourable market conditions for his ventures in the U.S. Moreover, Musk’s associate, Indian-origin Sriram Krishnan, has been appointed to a key role in the White House’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy-making committee. This decision underscores the increasing importance of AI in policy circles, with Krishnan set to play a pivotal role in shaping future AI regulations. Read more: Meta to build $10 billion AI data center in Louisiana as Elon Musk expands his Tennessee AI facility Bangladesh has held investment summits in the past, both domestically and abroad, none of these events have fully achieved their intended goals. “So, it is going to be a game-changer for the nation!,” said an official.

Billionaire Elon Musk 's company on Thursday sent a letter to local officials requesting an election to turn what it calls Starbase — the South Texas site where SpaceX builds and launches its massive Starship rockets — into an incorporated city. Residents of the area known as Starbase submitted the petition, according to the company. The area is on the southern tip of Texas at Boca Chica Beach, near the Mexican border. Earlier this year, Musk announced he was moving the headquarters of SpaceX and his social media company X from California to Texas. “To continue growing the workforce necessary to rapidly develop and manufacture Starship, we need the ability to grow Starbase as a community. That is why we are requesting that Cameron County call an election to enable the incorporation of Starbase as the newest city in the Rio Grande Valley,” Kathryn Lueders, the general manager of Starbase, wrote in a letter to the county. It's not the first time turning Starbase into its own city has been floated. Musk proposed the idea in 2021 when he wrote a social media post that simply said, “Creating the city of Starbase, Texas.” Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr, the county’s top elected official, said despite the talks of incorporation in 2021, this was the first time a petition was officially filed. “Our legal and elections administration will review the petition, see whether or not it complied with all of the statutory requirements and then we’ll go from there," Treviño said on Thursday. More than 3,400 full-time SpaceX employees and contractors work at the Starbase site, according to a local impact study issued by Trevino earlier this year. Niger junta suspends BBC for alleged false attack coverage SpaceX's rapid expansion in the region has drawn pushback from some locals. Earlier this year, a group called Save RGV sued the company in July over allegations of environmental violations and dumping polluted water into the nearby bay. SpaceX said in response that a state review found no environmental risks and called the lawsuit “frivolous.”  

New research suggests that the moon’s South Pole, a hotspot for future exploration, might be more challenging than expected due to “moonquakes” and landslides. The moon's allure as a target for space agencies like NASA and private companies like SpaceX is undeniable. But a recent study funded by NASA throws a cautionary flag on the lunar South Pole, a region rich in potential water ice and the target for several upcoming missions, reports CNN. The study revealed that the moon’s core is cooling and shrinking, causing its surface to wrinkle and crack, similar to a raisin, it said. China sends its youngest-ever crew to space as it seeks to put astronauts on moon before 2030 These “faults” trigger moonquakes lasting for hours and landslides, potentially posing a threat to future human settlements and equipment. The moon may seem geologically dead, but its interior is still hot, making it seismically active. The study links a powerful moonquake detected by Apollo astronauts to faults near the South Pole, highlighting the potential dangers. While the findings won’t affect the upcoming Artemis III mission due to its short duration, they raise concerns for long-term lunar settlements. Future site selection may consider factors like proximity to tectonic features. India becomes the fourth country to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon Yosio Nakamura, , a professor emeritus of geophysics at the University of Texas at Austin, who was among the researchers who first looked at the data collected by the Apollo seismic stations, disagreed with the study’s cause of shallow moonquakes, suggesting they originate deeper within the moon. He emphasized the need for more data. Allen Husker, a research professor of geophysics at the California Institute of Technology, said “It is very unlikely that a large moonquake will happen while they are there. However, it is good to know that these seismic sources (causing the quakes) exist. They can be an opportunity to better study the moon as we do on the earth with earthquakes,” Husker said. “By the time there is an actual moon base, we should have a much better idea of the actual seismic hazard with upcoming missions.” Jeffrey Andrews, an associate professor of planetary science at the University of Arizona, said, “Moonquakes are an incredible tool for doing science.” “They are like flashlights in the lunar interior that illuminate its structure for us to see. Studying moonquakes at the South Pole will tell us more about the moon’s interior structure as well as its present-day activity,” he added. Japan becomes the fifth country to land a spacecraft on the moon