
The Atlantic writer Josh Tyrangiel highlights the rivalry between Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, noting their shared ambitions to colonize the moon, mine resources, and expand satellite networks.
AI-generated summary
Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are prominent figures in the private space industry.
The Atlantic writer Josh Tyrangiel says Musk and Bezos each want to colonize the moon, mine its resources and launch thousands more satellites. He says their only real competition is each other.
NPR does not offer or accept money for coverage or interviews.
Anyone who makes such an offer or request is not an NPR employee and does not represent NPR.

Startup Xona Space Systems prepares to launch six satellites this month, introducing a commercial, low-earth orbit alternative to GPS that promises centimeter-level precision and stronger anti-jamming signals.

SpaceX's Starship rocket achieved Earth orbit for the first time after launching from South Texas. Despite losing one of its six Raptor engines during stage separation, the mission continued, marking a key step toward commercial viability and reusability.

SpaceX has scheduled the 14th Starship test flight for September 22, aiming to achieve Earth orbit for the first time. The mission will carry 26 third-generation Starlink satellites, marking the first revenue-generating flight for the Starship program.

President Trump called into a NASA post-launch news conference for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope via Administrator Jared Isaacman's phone to congratulate the team, highlighting his shifting stance on NASA after previously seeking to cut its budget and cancel the mission, while Isaacman leverages the moment to advocate for future science funding amid Artemis II success and lunar race with China.

During a NASA news conference for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launch, Administrator Jared Isaacman briefly left to take a call from President Trump, who praised the mission and NASA staff via phone. The event highlights Trump’s renewed interest in NASA despite past budget proposals to cut science funding, raising questions about future support for missions like Dragonfly and Artemis.

LandSpace's Zhuque-3 rocket achieved China's first successful land-based recovery of an orbital-class booster in northwestern China, following a previous sea-based recovery by CASC last month.