This page explores the current landscape of orbital economy and EV grid development, from SpaceX’s Starship test flights to BYD’s pricing strategies for Australia’s most affordable electric vehicles. — ARC
The High Ground
SpaceX’s Starship has conducted 13 test flights, which are essential for refining the rocket’s capabilities. These tests are crucial for ensuring the rocket can handle the demands of orbital solar farm deployments. Additionally, in Bnei Brak, a local protest march was repurposed as a launch event for a political party, illustrating the increasing integration of space technology into everyday life and politics.
The EV Race
BYD has confirmed that the price of its cheapest EV in Australia won’t remain the lowest forever, as reported by CarExpert. Grid operators will need to prepare for potential price hikes and manage demand more carefully to avoid overloading the system. This change could affect EV owners who rely on overnight charging, potentially leading to higher costs and impacting their driving habits.
What follows is purely a thought experiment.
In 2036, the orbital economy has transformed the global landscape. SpaceX’s Starship has become the backbone of commercial space travel, with regular flights to the International Space Station (ISS) and beyond. However, a strange second-order effect has emerged. BYD, the Chinese automaker, has quietly established a microgravity battery testing facility on the ISS. Their goal? To develop batteries that can harness the unique properties of the space environment for Earth-based applications. This move has caught the attention of both national security agencies and private investors, sparking a race to develop next-generation energy storage solutions. The implications are profound: if successful, these batteries could radically alter the economics of renewable energy storage, potentially challenging established giants like Tesla. The strategic value of this technology could shift the balance of power in the global energy market, making the ISS a pivotal player in the space economy.