The Selenverse Issue Nine
Long time no see! I've been away for a few months dealing with some health challenges, but I'm finally on the mend and getting back into the swing of things. So, I'm back with a brand new newsletter issue!
Here is a minor life update. I got into a Space Leadership MBA!! What is a Space Leadership MBA? Let me explain it real quick. It is an MBA that focuses on both Space and Business topics. I'm already done with my fall semester. As of yesterday, I submitted my last assignments. One of the classes we took was called Space Economy. We focused on concepts like new space and old space economy. I want to share a bit about that. After that, I will talk about the latest news about SpaceX.
So, let's take a look at that concept:
The shift from "old space" to "new space" represents one of the most critical periods in the history of the space industry. The old space era was defined by government-led initiatives, where national agencies like NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos dominated the industry.
As we all know, governments only focus on which country is going to the moon more than on the scientific gains we would have after going to the moon. So, in the beginning, these agencies set the goals, controlled the budgets, and dictated the pace of technological advancements in the space sector. Private companies were involved but mainly acted as contractors, following government directives rather than pursuing independent innovation.
In 1998, the Commercial Space Launch Act came into motion, and this U.S. law allowed private companies to launch rockets and satellites, fostering competition and innovation. After this, the new space era began. Which can also be defined as the rise of the private sector.
Companies like Rocket Lab, SpaceX, and Blue Origin have taken center stage, reshaping the industry by focusing on cost reduction, reusability, and accessibility. This shift has helped advancements in technology, which, in return, increased interest from private investors and, along the road, also helped change government policies that encourage private participation.
Companies like SpaceX have pioneered reusable rockets, slashing launch costs by orders of magnitude. Lower costs have opened the door for smaller companies, universities, and startups to participate in space activities, previously the domain of a few well-funded national programs.
SpaceX's valuation has reportedly soared to around $175 billion, according to recent reports of secondary share sales. This increase solidifies SpaceX's position as one of the world's most valuable private companies, which is insane!! I know some of us die-hard Elon fans and some of us not, but in the end, no one can deny that he has been creating real value in the space industry.
In addition, the democratization of space access has led to the development of entirely new markets. For example:
Satellite Constellations: Companies like SpaceX (Starlink) and OneWeb have launched fleets of small satellites to provide global broadband internet coverage, targeting underserved regions.
Earth Observation: Startups like Planet Labs have leveraged advancements in small satellite technology to create new services, such as high-resolution imaging for agriculture, disaster response, and climate monitoring.
Space Tourism: Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic are creating a suborbital space tourism market, offering previously unimaginable experiences for private individuals. It is still a costly and not reachable dream for every space lover, but they have a lot of exciting opportunities coming in the future to make it more accessible.
Space tourism is intended to become a reality through Blue Origin's New Shepard initiative. The New Shepard rocket's recent successful launch and landing is an essential step in that direction.
Many exciting things are happening in space, so the democratization of space access with the new economy is helping the world reach the stars more efficiently.
Let's also take a quick look at the technology side of what is happening lately.
Android announced the Android XR!!!
This is massive news for Android developers and the community that uses Android for its operating systems.
Google's operating system for extended reality (XR) gadgets, such as VR headsets and AR glasses, is now called Android XR. It seeks to provide these gadgets with a single platform like Android does for smartphones.
Key details about Android XR can be broken down as follows:
Unified Platform: Android XR seeks to facilitate developers' creation of cross-platform apps by standardizing the XR ecosystem. It is based on the Android operating system, using its pre-existing frameworks, tools, and development community.
Access to Well-Known Apps: Android XR will enable users to access a vast array of well-known apps and experiences by bringing the Google Play Store to XR devices.
AI Integration: Android XR deeply integrates Google's Gemini AI, improving user interactions and offering intelligent support.
Emphasis on Immersive Experiences: Android XR is made to provide captivating and immersive XR experiences, expanding the possibilities of human interaction with technology.
So What are the Advantages for Users:
More Device Options: By encouraging more manufacturers to provide XR devices, a unified platform will increase the number of options available to users.
Access to a Rich App Ecosystem: The Play Store integration will make a sizable collection of XR apps and experiences available.
Smooth User Experience: Android XR seeks to offer a unified and user-friendly experience for various devices.
Advantages for Developers:
Simplified Development: To construct XR apps, developers can utilize well-known Android tools and frameworks.
Greater Reach: Developers can connect with more XR users thanks to a single platform.
Decreased Fragmentation: Android XR seeks to facilitate app development and maintenance by reducing market fragmentation.
So Google is attempting to bring Android's strength and adaptability to the XR environment as Android XR. They are trying to make immersive experiences more widely available, and they seek to establish a flourishing ecosystem of XR devices and applications.
Connect with the Cosmos:
So, Thank you for tuning in to this week's edition! I hope to see you one last time before the year ends next week! Until next week, keep your eyes on the stars and your curiosity ignited!
Connect with me on LinkedIn to stay on top of the latest developments and engage with a community of passionate space and tech enthusiasts.
If you want to learn more about the MBA I'm doing, you can check out the website: https://kennedyu.org/, and if you have any questions about the program, let me know.