SpaceX’s Starlink internet service is helping Japan’s restoration following the earthquakes on January 1.
One day into 2024, Japan was hit with a series of quakes called the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. The largest quake hit a maximum seismic intensity of 7. After the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, local Japanese governments and their people started rescue and restoration work.
Japanese telecommunication operator KDDI is providing Starlink services to Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, electricity companies, local governments, and other organizations to help with the rescue and restoration work.
■スペースXとKDDI 能登半島の避難所にStarlink 350台を無償提供
令和6年能登半島地震に伴う被災地支援として、石川県と総務省の要請と協力に基づき、避難所へ衛星ブロードバンド Starlinkを無償提供いたします。
フリーWi-Fiとしてau契約者以外もご利用いただけます。
本日1/7… pic.twitter.com/CLGNyS10of— KDDI公式 (@official_kddi) January 7, 2024
KDDI quickly navigated through the aftermath of the earthquakes to establish base stations with people across Japan. Shugo Takagi—Deputy Manager of KDDI’s Solution Business Headquarters and Design Division—estimates that the Japanese telecommunications company has gathered around 200 staff at its base in Kanazawa.
KDDI has sent and is sending Starlink equipment to companies so they may maintain communication lines as they work on restoring regular utilities and necessities for people affected by the earthquakes.
“For example, electric power companies are forced to respond on-site in areas where electricity is not available. However, communication services have been disrupted in these disaster-stricken areas. Therefore, there is a high need for so-called satellite mobile phones, including Iridium.
“We will provide you with a satellite phone to support on-site inspections of areas where utility poles are broken, or power lines are down. After that, you will decide that you want to use data communication, so you will deploy Starlink, said Takagi.”
Takagi added that the demand for Starlink has increased as restoration continues. He reported that 150 Starlink antennas have been transported to Kanazawa, with 60 available for rent. The KDDI Deputy manager also shared that most people did not know how to use Starlink equipment initially because they were unfamiliar with it. However, people learned how to use Starlink equipment quickly.
SpaceX and KDDI have worked together in Japan since August 2023, months before the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. The two companies signed an agreement to provide satellite-to-cellular service in Japan. Through Starlink internet connection, SpaceX and KDDI planned to initially offer SMS text with voice and data services to be added later.
Last week, SpaceX posted pictures of six Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capability to enable communication in locations without cellular connectivity. Direct to Cell capability would be useful in dead zones and helpful during/after natural disasters like the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.
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SpaceX reportedly mulling IPO, eyeing largest of all time: report
“I do want to try to figure out some way for Tesla shareholders to participate in SpaceX. I’ve been giving a lot of thought to how to give people access to SpaceX stock,” Musk said.
SpaceX is reportedly mulling an initial public offering, eyeing what would be the largest valuation at the time of availability of all time, a new report from Bloomberg said on Tuesday.
It is one of many reports involving one of Elon Musk’s companies and a massive market move, as this is not the first time we have seen reports of an IPO by SpaceX. Musk himself has also dispelled other reports in the past of a similar nature, including an xAI funding round.
SpaceX and Musk have yet to comment on the report. In the past, untrue reports were promptly replied to by the CEO; this has not yet gained any response, which is a good sign in terms of credibility.
Musk has discussed a potential IPO for SpaceX in recent months, as the November 6 shareholder meeting, as he commented on the “downsides” of having a public company, like litigation exposure, quarterly reporting pressures, and other inconveniences.
Nevertheless, Musk has also said he wants there to be a way for Tesla shareholders to get in on the action. At the meeting in early November, he said:
“I do want to try to figure out some way for Tesla shareholders to participate in SpaceX. I’ve been giving a lot of thought to how to give people access to SpaceX stock.”
Additionally, he added:
“Maybe at some point., SpaceX should become a public company despite all the downsides of being public.”
Musk has been historically reluctant to take SpaceX public, at times stating it could become a barrier to colonizing Mars. That does not mean it will not happen.
Bloomberg’s report cites multiple unidentified sources who are familiar with the matter. They indicate to the publication that SpaceX wants to go public in mid-to-late 2026, and it wants to raise $30 billion at a valuation of around $1.5 trillion.
This is not the first time SpaceX has discussed an IPO; we reported on it nine years ago. We hope it is true, as the community has spoken for a long time about having access to SpaceX stock. Legendary investor Ron Baron is one of the lucky few to be a SpaceX investor, and said it, along with Tesla, is a “lifetime investment.”
Tesla bull Ron Baron reveals $100M SpaceX investment, sees 3-5x return on TSLA
The primary driver of SpaceX’s value is Starlink, the company’s satellite internet service. Starlink contributes 60-70 percent of SpaceX’s revenue, meaning it is the primary value engine. Launch services, like Falcon 9 contracts, and the development of Starship, also play supporting roles.
SpaceX reached an incredible milestone with its Starlink program with a launch last night, as the 3,000th satellite of the year was launched into low Earth orbit.
On Monday, SpaceX also achieved its 32nd flight with a single Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
The mission was Starlink 6-92, and it utilized the Falcon 9 B1067 for the 32nd time this year, the most-used Falcon booster. The flight delivered SpaceX’s 3000th Starlink satellite of the year, a massive achievement.
There were 29 Starlink satellites launched and deployed into LEO during this particular mission:
Falcon 9 launches 29 @Starlink satellites from Florida pic.twitter.com/utKrXjHzPN
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 9, 2025
SpaceX has a current goal of certifying its Falcon boosters for 40 missions apiece, according to Spaceflight Now.
The flight was the 350th orbital launch from the nearby SLC-40, and the 3,000 satellites that have been successfully launched this year continue to contribute to the company’s goal of having 12,000 satellites contributing to global internet coverage.
There are over five million users of Starlink, the latest data shows.
Following the launch and stage separation, the Falcon 9 booster completed its mission with a perfect landing on the ‘Just Read the Instructions’ droneship.
The mission was the 575th overall Falcon 9 launch, highlighting SpaceX’s operational tempo, which continues to be accelerated. The company averages two missions per week, and underscores CEO Elon Musk’s vision of a multi-planetary future, where reliable connectivity is crucial for remote work, education, and emergency response.
As Starlink expands and works toward that elusive and crucial 12,000 satellite goal, missions like 6-92 pave the way for innovations in telecommunications and enable more internet access to people across the globe.
With regulatory approvals in over 100 countries and millions of current subscribers, SpaceX continues to democratize space, proving that reusability is not just feasible, but it’s also revolutionary.
Tesla expanded its new Full Self-Driving program, which gives people the opportunity to experience the company’s suite, in Europe.
Tesla recently launched an opportunity for Europeans to experience Full Self-Driving, not in their personal vehicles, but through a new ride-along program that initially launched in Italy, France, and Germany back in late November.
People could experience it by booking a reservation with a local Tesla showroom, but timeslots quickly filled up, making it difficult to keep up with demand. Tesla expanded the program and offered some additional times, but it also had its sights set on getting the program out to new markets.
It finally achieved that on December 9, as it launched rides in Denmark and Switzerland, adding the fourth and fifth countries to the program.
Tesla confirmed the arrival of the program to Denmark and Switzerland on X:
Now available in Denmark & Switzerland
🇩🇰 https://t.co/IpCSwHO566 https://t.co/V2N5EarLNX
— Tesla Europe & Middle East (@teslaeurope) December 9, 2025
The program, while a major contributor to Tesla’s butts in seats strategy, is truly another way for the company to leverage its fans in an effort to work through the regulatory hurdles it is facing in Europe.
Tesla has faced significant red tape in the region, and although it has tested the FSD suite and been able to launch this ride-along program, it is still having some tremendous issues convincing regulatory agencies to allow it to give it to customers.
CEO Elon Musk has worked with regulators, but admitted the process has been “insanely painful.”
The most recent development with FSD and its potential use in Europe dealt with the Dutch approval authority, known as the RDW.
Tesla says Europe could finally get FSD in 2026, and Dutch regulator RDW is key
Tesla said it believes some regulations are “outdated and rules-based,” which makes the suite ineligible for use in the European jurisdiction.
The RDW is working with Tesla to gain approval sometime early next year, but there are no guarantees. However, Tesla’s angle with the ride-along program seems to be that if it can push consumers to experience it and have a positive time, it should be easier for it to gain its footing across Europe with regulatory agencies.
SpaceX reportedly mulling IPO, eyeing largest of all time: report
SpaceX reaches incredible milestone with Starlink program
