DTN 056: Rockets, God, and the Rise of Defense Tech Startups

Plus: Delta IV Heavy’s final launch, cancer vanishes in drug trial, Musk’s Grok detailing how to make bombs, a clock for the Moon, and more.

April 12, 2024

The Big Picture

“Within the Gundo, almost every startup hopes to turn the Defense Department or some other government entity into a customer. It was an unpopular strategy until Thiel’s Palantir and Musk’s SpaceX proved that startups could secure government contracts when competing against established giants like Raytheon and Boeing. And the increase in defense tech startups in the Gundo mirrors the broader rise in venture-backed startups working defense purposes over the few years, spurred on by SpaceX’s example, as well as rising geopolitical tensions in places including China, Ukraine and Israel. Realistically, of course, securing government contracts remains a long and potentially fruitless endeavor, which could mean many of the El Segundo startups disappear as quickly as they appeared.” (The Information)

Deep Tech News

JPEG of the Week

In the Swiss Alps, two companies are converting decommissioned satellite antennas into massive solar panels. The mountainous terrain in Leuk, Valais, allows for optimal solar energy generation, as the high-altitude panels receive more direct sunlight, especially during winter, compared to installations in mistier, low-lying urban areas.

One antenna of the kind can meet the energy needs of 25 households, according to CKW Group. The antennas covered in solar panels, which resemble flying saucers, measure 32 meters (105 ft) in diameter and are located some 1,000 meters above sea level, allowing them to receive an optimal level of sunlight, even in winter. (via Reuters)

Peer Review

Funding x M&A

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