Tanker Collision in North Sea, Neuralink Files 'Telepathy' and 'Telekinesis' Trademarks, and EU to Help Ukraine Replace Starlink

We're experimenting and would love to hear from you!

In this episode of 'Discover Daily', we explore a major maritime disaster in the North Sea where the US-flagged oil tanker MV Stena Immaculate collided with the Portuguese cargo ship Solong off East Yorkshire on March 10, 2025. The collision caused fires on both vessels, forced crew evacuations, and released jet fuel into the sea, raising environmental concerns. All 37 crew members were rescued safely, though questions remain about whether the Solong was on autopilot when it struck the anchored tanker.

We also examine Neuralink's ambitious plans as the company files trademark applications for futuristic terms like "Telepathy" and "Telekinesis," signaling development of brain-computer interfaces that could allow users to control devices with their thoughts. Our main story focuses on the European Union's efforts to reduce Ukraine's dependence on Starlink by negotiating with major European satellite operators like SES, Hisdesat, Viasat, and Eutelsat OneWeb to create alternative satellite communication solutions for Ukraine's critical infrastructure needs.

The episode highlights the complex relationship between technology and geopolitics, particularly as Ukraine relies on approximately 40,000 Starlink terminals for government functions, healthcare operations, and military communications in areas where traditional internet infrastructure has been compromised. While European satellite operators remain optimistic about providing alternatives, experts note that no current European system can match Starlink's extensive coverage, underscoring Europe's push for technological independence in satellite communications.

From Perplexity's Discover Feed:

https://www.perplexity.ai/page/tanker-collision-in-north-sea-.873SdLDRgGwCPhztCI_Cg

https://www.perplexity.ai/page/neuralink-files-telepathy-and-LHjgvYQrTuqKZ7fgeIau9Q

https://www.perplexity.ai/page/eu-to-help-ukraine-replace-sta-t5eIZ_IMTOyC6kj6yKO4Vw

**Introducing Perplexity Deep Research:**

https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/blog/introducing-perplexity-deep-research 

Perplexity is the fastest and most powerful way to search the web. Perplexity crawls the web and curates the most relevant and up-to-date sources (from academic papers to Reddit threads) to create the perfect response to any question or topic you’re interested in.

Take the world's knowledge with you anywhere. Available on iOS and Android

Join our growing Discord community for the latest updates and exclusive content.

Follow us on:

• Instagram
• Threads
• X (Twitter)
• YouTube
• Linkedin

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Discover Daily, by Perplexity, your
AI-curated digest ofbreakthroughs in tech, science
and culture.
I'm Alex.
Today we're examining the EU'sinitiative to develop satellite
alternatives for Ukraine asStarlink access becomes
uncertain, revealing how spacetechnology has become

(00:24):
intertwined with internationalrelations.
But first let's look at whatelse is happening.
Our first story takes us to theNorth Sea, where a major
maritime incident has unfolded.
On Monday, march 10, 2025, theUS-flagged oil tanker MV Stena

(00:48):
Immaculate collided with thePortuguese-flagged cargo ship
Solong off the coast of EastYorkshire, england.
The collision resulted in fireson both vessels and triggered a
large-scale rescue operation.
Scale rescue operation.

(01:08):
The incident occurred at 9.48am local time when the Solong
struck the anchored StenaImmaculate.
This led to a ruptured cargotank on the Stena Immaculate,
which was carrying Jet A-1 fuel.
Fires erupted on both vessels,with witnesses describing a
massive fireball.
Multiple explosions aboard thetanker forced crew members to
abandon ship and jet fuel wasreleased into the North Sea,

(01:33):
raising environmental concerns.
Poor visibility due to fog inthe area may have contributed to
the accident.
Port of Grimsby East CEO,martin Boyers, suggested that
the container ship Solong mighthave been on autopilot at the
time of the crash.
As tracking data indicated, itwas heading directly toward the

(01:53):
stationary tanker before impact.
A major rescue operation wasswiftly launched, involving
multiple agencies and assets.
All 37 crew members from bothvessels are now reported safe
and accounted for.
The environmental impact ofthis collision is a significant

(02:14):
concern.
Greenpeace UK has expressedalarm, noting that the
high-speed collision andaftermath footage were cause for
great concern.
The UK Coast Guard is nowassessing the necessary
counter-pollution measures,while the Marine Accident
Investigation Branch hasdeployed investigators to

(02:34):
Grimsby to gather evidence andevaluate the incident.
Moving on to our second story,we turn our attention to the
world of brain-computerinterfaces.
Elon Musk's brain implantcompany, neuralink, has filed
trademark applications forfuturistic terms like telepathy

(02:57):
and telekinesis with the UnitedStates Patent and Trademark
Office.
Neuralink filed these trademarkapplications on an
intent-to-use basis, indicatingthe company's active development
of products under these names.
The telepathy trademark isdescribed as an implantable

(03:17):
brain to computer interface forfacilitating communication and
control of software and hardware.
This technology aligns withElon Musk's vision for
Neuralink's first product, whichaims to enable individuals with
paralysis to control computersor phones using only their minds

(03:39):
.
Currently, neuralink'stechnology involves a brain
implant that collects neuralsignals and software that
translates these signals intocursor movements on a computer
screen.
Neuralink's telekinesistrademark application hints at
ambitious plans to developtechnology that would let users

(04:02):
control physical objects withtheir thoughts, building on
their existing brain-computerinterface.
But Neuralink may facechallenges with the US Patent
and Trademark Office, whichtypically rejects applications
for generic concepts unlessthey've shown acquired
distinctiveness through actualcommercial use.
In the past, the USPTO hasrejected trademark cases for

(04:28):
light beer and convenience store.
The cases differ fromNeuralink's Blindsight trademark
, which has a stronger positionbecause it's tied to a specific
FDA-designated vision-restoringimplant already in development,
giving it the real-worldcommercial connection that the
more speculative applicationsdon't yet have.

(04:50):
As of February 2025, threeindividuals with paralysis have
received experimental Neuralinkimplants as part of an early
feasibility study.
The company's broaderaspirations extend beyond
assisting those with paralysis,as evidenced by their trademark

(05:10):
filing for Blindsight, whichsuggests technology aimed at
restoring vision to those withsight loss.
Now let's look at our main storyof the day the European Union's

(05:33):
efforts to help Ukraine replaceStarlink.
The European Union is activelyworking to reduce Ukraine's
reliance on Starlink byexploring alternative satellite
communication solutions.
Exploring alternative satellitecommunication solutions.
This initiative comes amidconcerns over Starlink's
availability and the challengesof replacing its extensive

(05:54):
capabilities.
Ukraine's dependence onStarlink for critical
communications is significant.
According to Mykhailo Fedorov,ukraine's digital minister.
Approximately 40,000 Starlinkterminals are currently
operational throughout thecountry.
These terminals provideessential connectivity for

(06:17):
government functions, healthcareoperations and military
communications.
The need for satellite internethas become crucial in Ukraine
due to the ongoing conflict.
Traditional internetinfrastructure has become
vulnerable to destruction, andRussian military often employs
jamming strategies that disruptreliable connectivity.

(06:40):
Satellite internet services areless susceptible to physical
damage and interference, makingthem vital for maintaining
communications.
The EU's efforts to findalternative satellite solutions
are driven by the need to ensureUkraine's continued access to
reliable communications,especially in light of

(07:03):
geopolitical uncertaintiessurrounding Starlink's
availability.
The EU is currently innegotiations with four major
European satellite operatorsLuxembourg's SES, spain's
Histosat, british-owned Viasatand the French-British operator
Utelsat OneWeb.

(07:24):
These discussions aim to createa patchwork of European
infrastructure that couldpartially replace Starlink's
services.
The EU is also considering itsown satellite communication
initiatives, such as GovSatCom,a pooled network of existing
national government satellitecapacity expected to reach

(07:46):
initial operational readiness in2025, and IRIS, a planned
constellation of 290 satellitesled by UTELSAT, hispasat and SES
.
Christophe Grudler, a Frenchmember of the European
Parliament, has emerged as avocal advocate for developing

(08:07):
European satellite alternatives.
He has urged the EuropeanCommission to take immediate
action to assess alternativesatellite solutions that the EU
could offer Ukraine, emphasisingthe importance of reducing
dependence on non-Europeanproviders for critical
technologies.
But completely replacingStarlink's capabilities presents

(08:31):
significant challenges.
According to Research DirectorLuc Palermo Serra from Analysis
Mason, no individual system orcombination of European systems
can currently match Starlink'sextensive coverage provided by
over 7,000 satellites in lowEarth orbit.

(08:51):
A full replacement wouldrequire substantial investment
to launch enough satellites forcontinuous high-speed
connectivity.
Despite these challenges,european satellite operators
remain optimistic.
Satellite operators remainoptimistic.

(09:13):
Ses CEO Adel Alsale and Viasatrepresentatives have expressed
confidence that, while theirsystems may be less capable than
Starlink, they can stillprovide sufficient internet
access and support for droneoperations.
That wraps up today's episode ofDiscover Daily.

(09:34):
Before we conclude, a briefnote from Perplexity.
Our new deep research feature,launched earlier this month, now
analyzes hundreds of sources inminutes.
Think of it as deploying apersonal research team through
our web and mobile platforms.
This cutting-edge tool combinesautonomous reasoning with rapid

(09:58):
processing to deliverexhaustive reports on
specialized topics.
Deep research excels atexpert-level tasks across
various domains, from financeand marketing to product
research, and is available onour desktop and mobile apps.
Thanks for listening and foryour fan mail.

(10:19):
We'll be back with more storiesthat shape our world.
Until then, stay curious.