SpaceX's Starlink Satellites: A New Era of Internet Access

SpaceX has achieved a remarkable feat with its Starlink program, launching over 10, 000 satellites into low Earth orbit since its inception in 2019. This milestone was reached with the 131st and 132nd Falcon 9 missions of 2025, launched from Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg. The 10, 000th satellite was part of the Starlink 11-19 mission, carrying 28 advanced v2 mini satellites. Not all satellites remain operational; some are intentionally de-orbited due to faults, with around 8, 608 currently active. Starlink's impact is global, operating in 150 countries and territories, and even reaching all seven continents. It has transformed internet access, especially on commercial aircraft, with major airlines like Qatar and United adopting the service for stable connectivity. Starlink has amassed over 5 million subscribers worldwide, with 2. 7 million joining in the past year alone. SpaceX aims to launch up to 30, 000 satellites, far exceeding the current FAA approval of 12, 000, to provide high-speed internet access to everyone. Meanwhile, Tesla has updated its subscription policy, extending the duration of services like Full Self-Driving and Premium Connectivity during vehicle service visits lasting more than a day. This change ensures customers get full value for their subscriptions, even when their cars are in the shop. Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) v14 software has seen significant improvements, addressing issues like lane switching, merging traffic awareness, and object avoidance. The software now handles merging traffic more courteously and confidently navigates around obstacles like mail trucks and Amish buggies. Despite these advancements, there are still areas for improvement, such as better speed consistency on local roads. However, the progress made with v14 is notable, with many issues from the previous version resolved. In the automotive market, Tesla's Model Y has reclaimed its top sales spot in Europe, selling 25, 938 units in September. This achievement comes amid stiff competition from domestic car companies offering attractive and affordable EVs. The Model Y's success in Europe, the US, and China highlights its global appeal and dominance in the EV market. Tesla's recent sales performance has been impressive, with the company delivering nearly half a million vehicles in the last three months, marking its best sales period to date.