SpaceX vs. MP Materials: 2 Very Different Ways to Bet on the Next Decade of Tech

SpaceX and MP Materials are two companies that are laying the groundwork for the technology of the coming decade, but in very different ways. SpaceX is focused on two key technologies - Starlink and Starship. Starlink is a network of over ten thousand low Earth orbit satellites that use advanced antennas and fiber optic links to deliver internet with significantly lower latency than traditional methods.

Each satellite is equipped with multiple lasers capable of transmitting up to 200 gigabits per second, and newer mini lasers can deliver 25 gigabits per second over distances of up to 4,000 kilometers. This creates a mesh network in space that can route data without the need for a dense ground station infrastructure. The upcoming Starlink V3 hardware will further increase this capacity, with each satellite designed to handle around 1 terabit per second of downlink and 160 gigabits per second of uplink.

These high-capacity satellites will be launched using SpaceX's heavy-lift Starship rocket, and will also support direct-to-device cellular service. On the other hand, MP Materials operates deep within the supply chain, focusing on the critical materials needed for various technologies. While their specific operations are not detailed in the source, it is clear that they play a vital role in supporting the technological advancements spearheaded by companies like SpaceX.