Science & Space

Core viewpoint: New space missions are set to enhance our understanding of the universe and the sun's corona.

SPHEREx Mission to Map the Sky

NASA's SPHEREx observatory has embarked on a two-year mission to construct a 3D map of the entire sky. Launched on a Falcon 9 rocket, SPHEREx will orbit Earth every 98 minutes, capturing 360-degree strips of the sky in optical and near-infrared light. The mission aims to map over 450 million galaxies and gather data on over 100 million stars in the Milky Way by imaging the entire sky every six months. Through spectroscopy, SPHEREx will analyze the composition and distance of these objects, potentially providing insights into the period after the Big Bang and evidence of cosmic inflation.

PUNCH Satellites to Study the Sun's Corona

In related news, the four PUNCH satellites will map the sun's corona using polarized white-light images. This mission seeks to improve our understanding of how the corona transforms into solar wind.

Science & Technology

Core viewpoint: Advancements in space exploration are enhancing our understanding of the universe and improving space weather forecasting.

Successful Launch of SPHEREx and PUNCH Missions

NASA and SpaceX successfully launched the SPHEREx and PUNCH missions from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. SPHEREx, a space telescope, will map the cosmos and gather data on galaxies and stars to enhance our understanding of the universe's evolution and identify water and oxygen molecules. PUNCH comprises four satellites to study the sun's outer layer and solar winds, aiming to improve solar weather forecasting and ensure safer spacecraft launches. The Falcon 9 rocket carried both missions into orbit, with the booster successfully returning to land. This dual mission signifies a significant step forward in space exploration and our ability to predict solar weather.

{"content":"The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured an unprecedentedly detailed image of the Phantom Galaxy, also known as M74, showcasing its intricate spiral structure. Located about 32 million light-years away in the constellation Pisces, the Phantom Galaxy is a favorite target for astronomers studying the origins and structures of galaxies. The image combines data from JWST's Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) and data from the Hubble Space Telescope.","img":"https://scitechdaily.com/images/Phantom-Galaxy-M74-JWST-and-Hubble.jpg","url":"https://scitechdaily.com/jaw-dropping-phantom-galaxy-revealed-in-unprecedented-detail-by-webb-and-hubble/"}

# Electric Vehicles
**Core viewpoint: Despite economic uncertainties, EV sales in the US are experiencing significant growth, driven by incentives and the absence of additional tariffs.**
## US EV Sales Surge
US customers are purchasing electric vehicles, leveraging existing incentives and avoiding extra tariffs, resulting in a *28% increase in sales* this year.
![Electric Vehicle](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GettyImages-1092018162-1152x648.jpg)

Technology & Regulation

Core viewpoint: The tech landscape in early 2025 is marked by scrutiny of AI capabilities, platform vulnerabilities, and the evolving regulatory framework surrounding cryptocurrency.

ChatGPT 4.5's Emotional Intelligence Shortcomings

A report indicates that ChatGPT 4.5 is failing to deliver reasonable value in terms of emotional intelligence.

X Outage Exposes Digital Hygiene Issues

An outage on X has reportedly exposed Elon Musk's poor digital hygiene practices.

Crypto Regulation Spreads Globally

As of March 2025, over half of all UN member states have implemented some form of crypto regulation.

Facebook's Targeted Advertising Tactics

Findings suggest that Facebook is able to identify when users may need to purchase Plan B or an HIV test, raising privacy concerns.

Crypto Price Volatility as a Feature

The newsletter includes a discussion about whether the chaos in crypto prices might be an intentional feature rather than a bug.

Business

Core viewpoint: Tesla faces significant challenges, including stock declines, protests, and concerns about leadership, requiring comprehensive solutions beyond endorsements.

Tesla Stock Plummets Amid Protests and Criticism

Tesla's stock plummeted 15% on Monday, marking its steepest drop in five years, and is down over 50% since its December highs. Disgruntled Tesla owners are selling their vehicles at a loss, and Tesla showrooms face protests. Former President Donald Trump voiced his support for Musk, stating his intention to buy a new Tesla, while also pledging to label violence at Tesla protest locations as domestic terrorism. A Bluesky account representing the Tesla Takedown movement rejected the domestic terrorism label, emphasizing their opposition to violence and their right to peaceful protest, criticizing Trump's past actions regarding the Capitol Hill riot. The situation requires affordable EVs, a safer approach to driverless cars, and potentially a change in leadership to steer the company back on track.

Technology

Core viewpoint: Tech companies are facing legal and ethical challenges while simultaneously pursuing innovation and expansion.

X's Lawsuit Venue Dispute

X is accused of disregarding the Terms of Service (TOS) regarding venue selection when filing "thermonuclear" lawsuits.

Bolt CEO Defends Loan and Announces "Everything App"

Bolt's CEO Ryan Breslow addressed the $30 million personal loan he took from the company, defending it as an act of loyalty. He also announced Bolt will launch an "everything app" integrating e-commerce checkouts, financial services, P2P transactions, crypto, and cards.

Politics

Core viewpoint: Political decisions and actions are increasingly intertwined with technological influence and public dissent, sparking debate and controversy.

Trump Labels Tesla Violence as Domestic Terrorism

President Trump announced he will label violence against Tesla dealerships as domestic terrorism, signaling closer ties with Elon Musk. This decision follows "Tesla Takeovers" where protesters express opposition to Musk's influence on the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Some protests have involved vandalism, including graffiti, arson, and Molotov cocktails. Trump vowed to prosecute perpetrators, emphasizing the protection of "a great American company." This move raises concerns about the definition of violence and the potential targeting of peaceful protesters, especially international students, due to Musk's oversight of government layoffs and agency removals since Trump's executive order forming DOGE.

Technology

Core viewpoint: Cybersecurity incidents continue to plague social media platforms, with debates over the source and prevention of attacks highlighting vulnerabilities and raising questions about accountability.

Doubts Arise Over Musk's Claims About X Cyberattack

Security researchers are questioning Elon Musk's claims about the source of a recent DDoS attack that took down X. Musk stated the attack was a "massive cyberattack" executed by a "large, coordinated group and/or a country," pointing to IP addresses originating in the Ukraine area. However, security experts suggest there's little evidence to support Ukrainian involvement, and X may have inadvertently left its systems vulnerable. This isn't the first time Musk has blamed a "cyberattack" for system failures.

Technology

Core viewpoint: Technological advancements are driving innovation across both space exploration and electric vehicle industries.

Europe Seeks New Space Partnerships

Europe's counterpart to NASA is seeking new partnerships in space with a range of other countries as the continent bolsters its defenses and faces a more isolationist US under President Donald Trump.

BMW i4 xDrive40 Review

A week was spent reviewing BMW's regular all-wheel drive electric sedan.

Politics

Core viewpoint: A potential government shutdown looms, fueled by differing political agendas and potentially impacting federal workers and agencies.

Elon Musk's Stance on Government Shutdown

Sources indicate that Elon Musk has expressed a desire for a government shutdown, a view contrasting with the White House's objectives. This is reportedly motivated by the potential to eliminate numerous federal jobs, effectively creating a permanent shutdown. According to a Republican source, Musk's goal is for the continuing resolution to fail, triggering a brief government shutdown aimed at dismantling a perceived liberal power base. A shutdown would freeze many federal agencies and programs.

Technology

Core viewpoint: The tech world sees shifts in leadership and product challenges as companies strive for innovation and market dominance.

X (formerly Twitter) User Loyalty

Despite outages, users appear to remain loyal to the X brand, suggesting strong brand recognition despite technical issues.

Eric Schmidt Joins Relativity Space

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has joined rocket startup Relativity Space as its new head executive, making a significant investment and taking a controlling stake. Tim Ellis, the company’s longtime CEO, is stepping down. Relativity Space aims to become a leading commercial launch company with the long-term goal of establishing an industrial base on Mars, similar to Elon Musk's ambitions.

Tesla Cybertruck Challenges

Tesla's Cybertruck, touted by Elon Musk, faces challenges including delivery delays due to windshield wiper issues and software problems. The cheapest model is priced near $100,000, and the vehicle has faced recalls, discount offers, and reports of vandalism.

Technology

Core viewpoint: Advancements in autonomous driving and satellite internet are expanding accessibility and convenience for consumers.

Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service in Silicon Valley

Waymo, Alphabet Inc.’s self-driving car firm, is expanding its robotaxi service in Silicon Valley. Starting Wednesday, Waymo One will offer 24/7 robotaxi rides to early rider program members in Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto, and parts of Sunnyvale, covering a 27-square-mile area. This move aims to make the robotaxi service commercially available to a broader audience.

Starlink Launches Mini Satellite Dish

Starlink has introduced a mini satellite dish designed for easy setup and use, providing high-speed internet on the go.

Technology

Core viewpoint: Cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging the likeness of prominent figures like Elon Musk to enhance the credibility of their scams and deceive victims.

Elon Musk Impersonation in SMS Scam

Bitdefender has uncovered a malicious SMS campaign exploiting the likeness of X owner Elon Musk in an attempt to defraud users.

Technology

Core viewpoint: Strategic partnerships are crucial for expanding satellite internet services in key markets like India.

Airtel Partners with SpaceX for Starlink Launch in India

Airtel has partnered with SpaceX to launch Starlink in India.

Technology

Core viewpoint: Ford completes NACS adapter distribution and enhances EV charging accessibility; Starlink eyes expansion into India through partnership with Bharti Airtel.

Ford Completes NACS Adapter Distribution

Ford has completed the distribution of complimentary NACS charging adapters to all qualified Ford EV owners, enabling them to charge at Tesla Supercharger stations. Ford EV owners can now locate Tesla Superchargers via Apple Maps for easier and more reliable charging. CEO Jim Farley confirmed that every eligible owner has received an adapter. Ford was the first to adopt Tesla’s NACS and distribute free adapters.

Starlink Partners with Bharti Airtel for India Expansion

Bharti Airtel Ltd. has announced an agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink Inc.'s satellite internet services to India.

Technology

Core viewpoint: Technological advancements and challenges persist in both space exploration and social media platforms.

Asteroid Mining Ambitions

Vestri will attempt to dock with a near-Earth asteroid, furthering the company's asteroid mining ambitions.

Twitter/X Outage

Twitter/X experienced a massive outage on Monday morning EST, with spikes surging. Elon Musk attributed this to a “massive cyberattack” against X, but media skepticism is rife due to the lack of evidence.

Finance

Core viewpoint: Tesla's stock experiences a significant drop, reflecting potential market concerns.

Tesla Stock Plummets

Tesla's stock fell by over 15 percent on Monday, marking its worst day of trading since Sept. 2020.