News
SpaceX’s internet satellites have an official name: Starlink
The satellite constellation may also compete with Earth imaging companies and include scientific instruments
Trademark filings have been unearthed by members of the SpaceX subreddit that suggest that the company’s satellite internet constellation will be named Starlink. Previously discussed on Teslarati, recent developments during the process of attaining regulatory permissions could pose a major hurdle for SpaceX’s broadband constellation. Implications of FCC filings aside, SpaceX may still launch its first test satellites later this year. The company has dozens of job openings under “Satellite Development” in the states of Washington and California as of September 18.
The trademark filings, which can be found through the U.S. Patent Office’s Trademark Electronic Search
An unofficial logo designed by the author for SpaceX’s Starlink project. (Eric Ralph/Teslarati)
System (TESS), also hint that SpaceX may expand the potential uses of their satellite constellation into markets for scientific data and persistent Earth imaging. The last several years have seen a meteoric rise in demand for Earth imaging services from the likes of Digital Globe, Planet Labs (which now owns Terra Bella), BlackSky, Urthecast (which acquired Deimos Imaging), and many others. Other companies like Spire hope to capitalize on the benefits of smaller satellites in order to revolutionize weather data and forecasting, as well as global aircraft and boat tracking.
Even if SpaceX ultimately chose to include imaging hardware and scientific instruments on a fraction of the 4,425 satellites intended to comprise their preliminary LEO constellation, the unique nature and sheer scale of SpaceX’s satellite mesh network would make it difficult to compete with. In fact, the mesh network itself could also become a sought-after product for third-party companies, if SpaceX chose to allow access to it.
SpaceX’s broadband constellation has long been expected to utilize optical (laser-based) inter-satellite communications to form a “mesh network” in orbit. Aside from morphing each individual satellite into a flexible communications node, the very existence of an orbital, ground-connected network of thousands of satellites could open the utility of easy space-to-ground communication to any customers willing and able to pay for access. Ground stations often become a primary concern and issue for companies engaged in developing satellite communications, with a vast sea of often unique regulations that must be dealt with. SpaceX’s goal is to provide access to its broadband constellation with nothing more than a pizza-box sized antenna placed on the customer’s roof, a far cry from the large, expensive, and heavily-regulated radio antenna installations that companies like Planet Labs use to serve their customers.
SpaceX’s BFS (“Big Falcon Spaceship”) will require a stable communications network to maintain contact with Earth.(SpaceX)
Farther in the future, a thoroughly-tested orbital platform for communications, ground imagery, and scientific observations could and likely will prove invaluable for SpaceX’s ultimate goal of creating and supporting a permanent human presence on Mars. As of late, NASA has been playing fast and loose with the long-term maintenance of its planetary exploration infrastructure, particularly regarding the future of Earth-Mars communications. Between ESA, China, NASA, and Russia, multiple new Martian landers and orbiters are expected to arrive at the Red Planet over the next decade, and the large amount of data produced by the Curiosity and Opportunity rovers, as well as Mars orbiters, strains the communications infrastructure used for transmitting data back to Earth.
By developing and administrating a communications network between Mars and Earth, SpaceX could gain deep spaceflight experience, allow NASA to more directly focus on science and planetary exploration, and also facilitate the construction of an interplanetary communications foundation SpaceX will need if it hopes to develop a human presence on Mars. In fact, Musk briefly revealed that SpaceX was working with NASA on “Mars communications” at the ISS R&D Conference earlier this year.
Regardless of its potential uses around Mars, SpaceX’s Starlink broadband satellite constellation could revolutionize internet access on Earth and provide SpaceX the resources it needs to develop Mars colonization hardware. Details about the satellite constellation will likely be provided when Elon Musk speaks at this year’s International Astronautical Congress.
Tesla is atop the American-Made Index from Cars.com for the sixth-straight year, as the Model 3 and Model Y took the top two spots, respectively.
Last year, the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X took the top four spots, respectively. The company has routinely performed well in the Index. However, Tesla discontinued its flagship Model S and Model X earlier this year, which took the two cars out of the ranking.
Cybertruck is not considered due to its curb weight being above the 8,500-pound threshold, which eliminates it from being required to have more detailed assembly information.
Cars.com uses five main categories to develop its rankings:
- Location(s) of final assembly
- Percentage of U.S. and Canadian parts
- Countries of origin for all available engines
- Countries of origin for all available transmissions
- U.S. manufacturing workforce
These five major factors are then put into a 100-point scale. The vehicles with the highest scores sit atop the list. The Model 3 edged out the Model Y.
🇺🇸 The Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y have been put atop the American-Made Index from https://t.co/PXZ0g1pPb6, meaning they are the most American vehicles you can possibly buy.
This is the SIXTH-STRAIGHT year a Tesla has been listed as the most American-made vehicle: pic.twitter.com/HyraOmaxSL
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) June 23, 2026
Tesla uses a strong domestic strategy to build its cars and parts domestically. It relies on intense vertical integration that reduces its dependence on global suppliers, keeping more value and jobs in the United States.
This strategy has helped Tesla gain a strong reputation for domestically produced vehicles and parts. However, it helps it with more than just awards like this one. Keeping a supply chain local has also helped insulate Tesla more than others from tariffs and supply chain disruptions.
This year’s American-Made Index from Cars.com studied nearly 400 vehicles from the 2026 model year. Tesla was the only manufacturer to have an EV inside the Top 10. The Kia EV9 was the next EV to make the list, scoring the 17th position.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 was 21st, and the final EV to make the list was the Cadillac LYRIQ in 77th.
Tesla has finally clarified the situation regarding the viral crash in Texas where a Model 3 slammed into a home.
CEO Elon Musk replied to reports on Monday that stated the crash was due to the company’s Full Self-Driving or Autopilot suite, which seemed unlikely to those who are familiar with it. Video showed the car slamming into a house at an excessive rate of speed, making it highly unlikely the crash was due to the suite’s operation, as it does not travel at those speeds in residential areas.
Musk said:
“This makes no sense. FSD drives slowly through neighborhood streets, and this was a high-speed crash!”
Tesla’s Head of AI, Ashok Elluswamy, added context, revealing that the company’s data shows the driver “manually overrode self-driving by pressing the accelerator all the way to 100%.”
He revealed the speed reached by the car was 73 MPH, and the accelerator was still pressed “even after the crash.”
Yup. In this case, the driver manually overrode self-driving by pressing the accelerator all the way to 100% of the accel pedal in this residential area. They reached a speed of 73 mph during the crash, and had the accelerator pressed even after the crash.
— Ashok Elluswamy (@aelluswamy) June 22, 2026
Authorities are reportedly investigating “whether Tesla’s Autopilot system played a role after a Model 3 left the roadway…slammed through a brick house at high speed and fatally struck Matha Avila as she sat inside,” the New York Post reported.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is now investigating the crash. Tesla will work with the agency to provide them with whatever information they need in order to clarify the cause of the crash.
Similarly, Tesla had claims of a fatal accident in Harris County, Texas, a few years ago. Early reports indicated that Full Self-Driving was the cause of the crash. After the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) worked with Tesla, the agency proved there was “no use of the Autopilot system at any time during this ownership period of the vehicle, including the time frame up to the last transmitted timestamp on April 17, 2021.”
Tesla alleged “driverless” crash in Texas: What is known so far
“Application of the accelerator pedal was found to be as high as 98.8 percent,” the NTSB said in their findings. The highest recorded speed in the five seconds leading up to the impact was 67 miles per hour. The area where the crash occurred is residential, and Texas State laws have default speed limits of 30 MPH in residential streets.
This appears to be a similar situation. However, an investigation will prove what happened for sure.
SpaceX announced today that it commenced its first-ever public bond offering, marking a significant step in the newly public company’s capital markets strategy.
The company announced an offering of senior unsecured notes expected to raise at least $20 billion.
The move comes just a short time after SpaceX completed one of the largest initial public offerings in history. In mid-June, the company priced shares at $135 and raised more than $85 billion, propelling founder Elon Musk’s net worth past the trillion-dollar mark and giving the firm substantial liquidity.
🚨 SpaceX has announced its inaugural offering of senior unsecured notes.
The net proceeds will be used to repay outstanding loans under its bridge loan facility in full.
This inaugural debt offering represents a financing milestone for SpaceX, which previously depended… pic.twitter.com/pcOZuVbTRv
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) June 22, 2026
According to the company’s SEC filing, the net proceeds from the notes will be used primarily to repay in full the outstanding borrowings under its existing bridge loan facility, cover related fees and expenses, and fund general corporate purposes. The offering is being conducted under Rule 144A, as well as Regulation S, targeting qualified institutional buyers and non-U.S. investors. Notes will be unsecured obligations ranking equally with other unsubordinated debt.
The $20 billion bridge loan was used to refinance approximately $17.5 billion in higher-cost “junk” debt tied to X and xAI. SpaceX had merged with xAI in February 2026 in an all-stock deal. The bridge facility, which matures in September 2027, had represented the bulk of SpaceX’s long-term debt.
SpaceX officially acquires xAI, merging rockets with AI expertise
In connection with the bond launch, SpaceX disclosed it held approximately $100.8 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of June 19. Investor calls began on the announcement date, with pricing and launch expected shortly thereafter. Rating agencies have assigned investment-grade ratings to the proposed bonds, reflecting confidence in SpaceX’s dominant position in commercial launches and the growth trajectory of its Starlink internet offering.
The debt raise also allows SpaceX to optimize its balance sheet by replacing short-term, higher-cost bridge financing with longer-date, lower-cost fixed-income securities. This provides greater financial flexibility to support capital-intensive initiatives, including the development of Starship, the expansion of the Starlink constellation, and the integration of AI capabilities following the xAI combination.
SpaceX shares (NASDAQ: SPCX) fell sharply on the news, dropping over 16 percent overall on the market on Monday. The stock had surged initially after debuting but pulled back amid profit-taking and broader market dynamics.
Overall, the bond offering underscores SpaceX’s transition to a mature public company with access to diverse funding sources. It positions the firm to pursue its long-term vision of multiplanetary expansion and AI infrastructure, while maintaining a disciplined approach to its capital structure in a high-growth but capital-heavy industry.
Tesla tops American-Made Index for sixth-consecutive year
Tesla finally clarifies fatal Texas crash, confirms driver manually overrode acceleration
