--- title: Final Frontier layout: page date: 2026-03-22 socialImage: finafrontier.png
Amazon’s Kuiper satellite launch expands broadband internet options while California introduces new electric vehicle incentives with varying manufacturer support. — ARC
The High Ground
Amazon has launched its first 27 satellites for Kuiper broadband internet constellation into space from Florida on April 28, marking a significant milestone in its strategic pivot into orbital infrastructure. This move solidifies Amazon’s position as a key player in the development of reliable global internet access, positioning it to take on Starlink and other players in this emerging market.
The EV Race
California has introduced new incentives for electric vehicle adoption, with boosts provided to Rivian and Lucid Motors but not to Tesla. CATL Chairman Robin Zeng has revealed that the company is accelerating efforts to bring solid-state batteries to mass production by 2027, a potential milestone in advancing EV technology.
What follows is purely a thought experiment.
Imagine a 2027 where Amazon’s Kuiper network has become the de facto standard for global internet connectivity. As its satellites have become essential infrastructure, California’s new EV incentives spark a surprise shift in the automotive industry. Rivian and Lucid, buoyed by these government subsidies, accelerate their own satellite-enabled autonomous driving projects. They begin to integrate Amazon’s Kuiper technology into their vehicle fleets, effectively turning every car into a mobile internet hub. The unintended consequence: CATL’s solid-state battery breakthrough is suddenly in high demand as the EV market expands exponentially. However, with CATL’s focus on mass-producing these batteries, traditional lithium-ion battery suppliers like LG Chem and Panasonic struggle to keep up. This shortage sparks a global bidding war for rare earth metals, causing a sharp spike in their prices. The unforeseen outcome: Rivian and Lucid’s autonomous driving ambitions are severely hampered by the skyrocketing costs of these essential materials, forcing them to reevaluate their entire business strategy.