In this episode, Bob provides updates on SpaceX's latest Falcon 9 launch and offers an overview of the ongoing Starlink mission, highlighting the company's continued expansion in satellite technology. The episode shifts focus to Tesla's developments in humanoid robots, exploring the competitive landscape and Tesla's position within it. Bob also discusses recent regulatory changes and government relations that are impacting Elon Musk's companies, providing insights into the challenges and opportunities these changes present. The episode concludes with a wrap-up and a reminder to follow the podcast for more updates on these dynamic stories.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hey there, SpaceX fans!
(00:01):
We've got some exciting and slightlysuspenseful news for you today.
As many of you know, the SpaceX Falcon 9 wasset to launch early this morning from NASA's
Kennedy Space Center on the Starlink 6-83mission.
But the unpredictable Florida weather had otherplans.
Rain, thick clouds, and thunderstorms decidedto make a grand appearance, leading to a scrub
(00:24):
of the launch attempt.
But don't worry, SpaceX is not giving up thateasily!
Crews are already targeting tonight at 11:36p.m.
for the next launch window, so mark yourcalendars!
Now, for those of you keeping track, thismission is set to deploy a batch of 28 Starlink
(00:46):
internet satellites into low-Earth orbit.
The Falcon 9 rocket, following its launch, willtake a southeasterly trajectory, and the
first-stage booster is aiming for a landing ona SpaceX drone ship out at sea.
It's a part of the larger Starlink initiative,aiming to provide satellite internet coverage
across the globe.
(01:07):
So, what caused the delay?
Well, the launch was initially scheduled for2:31 a.m., but as the storms rolled through
Central Florida, SpaceX had to make the toughcall to scrub the launch.
The National Weather Service radar showedsignificant rainfall and thunderstorms across
Brevard County, making it unsafe to proceed.
(01:28):
But that's just part of the game when you'redealing with space missions and Mother Nature.
For those wondering about the countdowntimeline, here's a sneak peek: About
thirty-eight minutes before launch, the SpaceXlaunch director verifies the "go" for
propellant load.
Thirty-five minutes out, rocket-grade keroseneand liquid oxygen start loading into the first
(01:50):
stage, while liquid oxygen for the second stagebegins loading sixteen minutes before liftoff.
And just seven minutes out, the Falcon 9engines begin chilling to prepare for launch.
It's a precise dance of checks and balances toensure everything is perfect for that moment of
liftoff.
And as we look forward to tonight's launch,it's worth noting that if successful, this will
(02:12):
be the forty-first orbital rocket launch of theyear from the Space Coast.
That's right, SpaceX is keeping busy, and we'rehere for every thrilling moment.
We'll continue to keep you updated on anychanges, so stay tuned for more on this
ambitious journey to connect the world throughspace technology.
Let's dive into the exciting world of humanoidrobots, where Tesla is going head-to-head with
(02:36):
China's tech giants in a race to conquer thefinal frontier of robot development.
The Tesla Optimus team is making strides on oneside of the globe, while several Chinese
companies are ramping up their efforts on theother.
The focus?
Creating the most dexterous robotic hands.
Dexterous hands are the holy grail of humanoidrobot development.
(02:58):
These robotic appendages are crucial for takingon tasks traditionally handled by humans.
Enter Linkerbot Technology, a Chinese companythat's just unveiled its Linker Hand, claiming
it has the world's highest dexterity with 42degrees of freedom.
That's a leap beyond the current leadingproduct, Shadow Hand, which boasts 26 degrees.
(03:20):
Meanwhile, Tesla is not sitting idle.
Last year, Elon Musk shared that the Optimushand would feature 22 degrees of freedom.
And in May 2024, Tesla released a videoshowcasing Optimus in action at their
facilities, handling tasks with precision thatwowed industry experts, including NVIDIA's Jim
Fan.
He praised the Optimus hands as among the best,highlighting Tesla's innovative human data
(03:45):
collection pipeline as a key advantage.
The battle of the bots doesn't end there.
Linkerbot aims to deploy one million humanoidrobots equipped with their dexterous hands in
real-world scenarios, from playing with Rubik’sCubes to putting on makeup.
They're not alone, though.
PaXini Tech, another Chinese player, is alsoentering the fray with their DexH13 GEN2, a
(04:10):
bionic hand featuring multi-dimensional tactileand artificial intelligence visual dual-modal
capabilities.
As this competition heats up, Tesla Optimus isexpected to tackle monotonous, repetitive tasks
in factories—tasks that could potentially harmhuman workers.
It's an exciting time in robotics, with eachcompany pushing the boundaries of what's
(04:32):
possible.
Who will come out on top in this high-stakesrace to develop the ultimate humanoid robot?
Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: the future of robotics is here, and it's (04:38):
undefined
incredibly thrilling.
Alright, let's jump into a rather intriguingtopic that's been making waves in the world of
Elon Musk.
It seems that under the Trump administration,the regulatory challenges that Musk's companies
have faced are seemingly disappearing.
(05:00):
According to a recent report by Rolling Stone,since Donald Trump took office, over forty
regulatory cases involving Musk's companieshave seen little to no action.
That's a pretty significant number when youthink about it.
Now, for some context, the Justice Departmenthad a case against SpaceX for allegedly
refusing to hire asylum seekers and refugeeimmigrants.
(05:23):
But that case has been dropped.
Similarly, a Labor Department investigationinto workforce discrimination at Tesla was
concluded after a Trump executive ordereffectively dismantled the office that was
conducting the probe.
And it doesn't stop there—the National LaborRelations Board is now in settlement talks over
(05:44):
SpaceX employee firings.
It's not just SpaceX and Tesla that are seeingthe benefits.
Neuralink, another brainchild of Musk, wasunder investigation by the United States
Department of Agriculture for potential animalwelfare violations.
However, one of Trump's first executive ordersled to the firing of inspectors general from
(06:05):
the USDA and several other agencies, which puta halt to the investigation.
The former inspectors general are now suing,but the impact of these regulatory changes is
clear.
A congressional report highlighted that on theday Trump was sworn into office, Musk's
companies were facing around two point threeseven billion dollars in potential federal
(06:27):
fines and penalties.
The report also noted that Musk and hiscompanies were under at least sixty-five actual
or potential actions by eleven differentfederal agencies.
Yet, with the change in administration, many ofthese challenges are melting away.
The White House has pushed back against claimsthat Musk is using his position for personal
(06:48):
gain.
The Communications Director, Steven Cheung,labeled the accusations as false and
defamatory, attributing them to what he called"Trump Derangement Syndrome." It's a bold
statement, but one that underscores thecontentious nature of Musk's relationship with
government regulation.
Despite the controversies, Musk's companiescontinue to thrive, raking in more than
(07:11):
thirty-eight billion dollars in governmentcontracts, loans, subsidies, and tax credits
over the past two decades.
And it looks like they'll keep profiting fromlucrative government contracts.
SpaceX, for instance, is a leading contenderfor a satellite missile defense system contract
dubbed the "Golden Dome." Even though Muskdenied the report, SpaceX has already secured
(07:34):
contracts for twenty-eight United States SpaceForce rocket launches worth nearly six billion
dollars.
As we wrap up this segment, it's clear thatElon Musk's journey through the maze of United
States regulatory bodies is a testament to hisinfluence and the ever-shifting landscape of
political power.
Whether you view these developments asstrategic genius or something more
(07:57):
controversial, there's no denying that Muskcontinues to be a formidable force in the
worlds of technology and business.
Alright that's a wrap for this episode.
If you enjoyed this brief, and would like tostay updated on latest episodes, don’t forget
to click ‘Follow’ in your podcast app.
Thanks again for listening, and hope to catchyou next time.
Hey there, SpaceX fans!
(00:01):
We've got some exciting and slightlysuspenseful news for you today.
As many of you know, the SpaceX Falcon 9 wasset to launch early this morning from NASA's
Kennedy Space Center on the Starlink 6-83mission.
But the unpredictable Florida weather had otherplans.
Rain, thick clouds, and thunderstorms decidedto make a grand appearance, leading to a scrub
(00:24):
of the launch attempt.
But don't worry, SpaceX is not giving up thateasily!
Crews are already targeting tonight at 11:36p.m.
for the next launch window, so mark yourcalendars!
Now, for those of you keeping track, thismission is set to deploy a batch of 28 Starlink
(00:46):
internet satellites into low-Earth orbit.
The Falcon 9 rocket, following its launch, willtake a southeasterly trajectory, and the
first-stage booster is aiming for a landing ona SpaceX drone ship out at sea.
It's a part of the larger Starlink initiative,aiming to provide satellite internet coverage
across the globe.
(01:07):
So, what caused the delay?
Well, the launch was initially scheduled for2:31 a.m., but as the storms rolled through
Central Florida, SpaceX had to make the toughcall to scrub the launch.
The National Weather Service radar showedsignificant rainfall and thunderstorms across
Brevard County, making it unsafe to proceed.
(01:28):
But that's just part of the game when you'redealing with space missions and Mother Nature.
For those wondering about the countdowntimeline, here's a sneak peek: About
thirty-eight minutes before launch, the SpaceXlaunch director verifies the "go" for
propellant load.
Thirty-five minutes out, rocket-grade keroseneand liquid oxygen start loading into the first
(01:50):
stage, while liquid oxygen for the second stagebegins loading sixteen minutes before liftoff.
And just seven minutes out, the Falcon 9engines begin chilling to prepare for launch.
It's a precise dance of checks and balances toensure everything is perfect for that moment of
liftoff.
And as we look forward to tonight's launch,it's worth noting that if successful, this will
(02:12):
be the forty-first orbital rocket launch of theyear from the Space Coast.
That's right, SpaceX is keeping busy, and we'rehere for every thrilling moment.
We'll continue to keep you updated on anychanges, so stay tuned for more on this
ambitious journey to connect the world throughspace technology.
Let's dive into the exciting world of humanoidrobots, where Tesla is going head-to-head with
(02:36):
China's tech giants in a race to conquer thefinal frontier of robot development.
The Tesla Optimus team is making strides on oneside of the globe, while several Chinese
companies are ramping up their efforts on theother.
The focus?
Creating the most dexterous robotic hands.
Dexterous hands are the holy grail of humanoidrobot development.
(02:58):
These robotic appendages are crucial for takingon tasks traditionally handled by humans.
Enter Linkerbot Technology, a Chinese companythat's just unveiled its Linker Hand, claiming
it has the world's highest dexterity with 42degrees of freedom.
That's a leap beyond the current leadingproduct, Shadow Hand, which boasts 26 degrees.
(03:20):
Meanwhile, Tesla is not sitting idle.
Last year, Elon Musk shared that the Optimushand would feature 22 degrees of freedom.
And in May 2024, Tesla released a videoshowcasing Optimus in action at their
facilities, handling tasks with precision thatwowed industry experts, including NVIDIA's Jim
Fan.
He praised the Optimus hands as among the best,highlighting Tesla's innovative human data
(03:45):
collection pipeline as a key advantage.
The battle of the bots doesn't end there.
Linkerbot aims to deploy one million humanoidrobots equipped with their dexterous hands in
real-world scenarios, from playing with Rubik’sCubes to putting on makeup.
They're not alone, though.
PaXini Tech, another Chinese player, is alsoentering the fray with their DexH13 GEN2, a
(04:10):
bionic hand featuring multi-dimensional tactileand artificial intelligence visual dual-modal
capabilities.
As this competition heats up, Tesla Optimus isexpected to tackle monotonous, repetitive tasks
in factories—tasks that could potentially harmhuman workers.
It's an exciting time in robotics, with eachcompany pushing the boundaries of what's
(04:32):
possible.
Who will come out on top in this high-stakesrace to develop the ultimate humanoid robot?
Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: the future of robotics is here, and it's (04:38):
undefined
incredibly thrilling.
Alright, let's jump into a rather intriguingtopic that's been making waves in the world of
Elon Musk.
It seems that under the Trump administration,the regulatory challenges that Musk's companies
have faced are seemingly disappearing.
(05:00):
According to a recent report by Rolling Stone,since Donald Trump took office, over forty
regulatory cases involving Musk's companieshave seen little to no action.
That's a pretty significant number when youthink about it.
Now, for some context, the Justice Departmenthad a case against SpaceX for allegedly
refusing to hire asylum seekers and refugeeimmigrants.
(05:23):
But that case has been dropped.
Similarly, a Labor Department investigationinto workforce discrimination at Tesla was
concluded after a Trump executive ordereffectively dismantled the office that was
conducting the probe.
And it doesn't stop there—the National LaborRelations Board is now in settlement talks over
(05:44):
SpaceX employee firings.
It's not just SpaceX and Tesla that are seeingthe benefits.
Neuralink, another brainchild of Musk, wasunder investigation by the United States
Department of Agriculture for potential animalwelfare violations.
However, one of Trump's first executive ordersled to the firing of inspectors general from
(06:05):
the USDA and several other agencies, which puta halt to the investigation.
The former inspectors general are now suing,but the impact of these regulatory changes is
clear.
A congressional report highlighted that on theday Trump was sworn into office, Musk's
companies were facing around two point threeseven billion dollars in potential federal
(06:27):
fines and penalties.
The report also noted that Musk and hiscompanies were under at least sixty-five actual
or potential actions by eleven differentfederal agencies.
Yet, with the change in administration, many ofthese challenges are melting away.
The White House has pushed back against claimsthat Musk is using his position for personal
(06:48):
gain.
The Communications Director, Steven Cheung,labeled the accusations as false and
defamatory, attributing them to what he called"Trump Derangement Syndrome." It's a bold
statement, but one that underscores thecontentious nature of Musk's relationship with
government regulation.
Despite the controversies, Musk's companiescontinue to thrive, raking in more than
(07:11):
thirty-eight billion dollars in governmentcontracts, loans, subsidies, and tax credits
over the past two decades.
And it looks like they'll keep profiting fromlucrative government contracts.
SpaceX, for instance, is a leading contenderfor a satellite missile defense system contract
dubbed the "Golden Dome." Even though Muskdenied the report, SpaceX has already secured
(07:34):
contracts for twenty-eight United States SpaceForce rocket launches worth nearly six billion
dollars.
As we wrap up this segment, it's clear thatElon Musk's journey through the maze of United
States regulatory bodies is a testament to hisinfluence and the ever-shifting landscape of
political power.
Whether you view these developments asstrategic genius or something more
(07:57):
controversial, there's no denying that Muskcontinues to be a formidable force in the
worlds of technology and business.
Alright that's a wrap for this episode.
If you enjoyed this brief, and would like tostay updated on latest episodes, don’t forget
to click ‘Follow’ in your podcast app.
Thanks again for listening, and hope to catchyou next time.
Popular Podcasts
Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes present: Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial
Introducing… Aubrey O’Day Diddy’s former protege, television personality, platinum selling music artist, Danity Kane alum Aubrey O’Day joins veteran journalists Amy Robach and TJ Holmes to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation. Join them throughout the trial as they discuss, debate, and dissect every detail, every aspect of the proceedings. Aubrey will offer her opinions and expertise, as only she is qualified to do given her first-hand knowledge. From her days on Making the Band, as she emerged as the breakout star, the truth of the situation would be the opposite of the glitz and glamour. Listen throughout every minute of the trial, for this exclusive coverage. Amy Robach and TJ Holmes present Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial, an iHeartRadio podcast.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!