Overview
Elon Musk is a South African-born American entrepreneur and businessman who co-founded PayPal and founded SpaceX and Tesla Motors. In 2021, he has made headlines with some major (and sometimes controversial) announcements and news about his companies’ developing technology and goals. As the most visible leader of several cutting-edge companies, Elon Musk has been an integral part of the news cycle in 2021, from launching satellites to taking Tesla Motors to new heights.
Tesla Motors
Tesla Motors, one of the most innovative and controversial companies of the past few years, is Musk’s most successful business venture. In 2021, Tesla Motors continues to dominate the electric vehicle market. Tesla Motors has delivered a total of 690,000 electric cars globally in 2020 and is planning to ramp up production even further in 2021. The company also announced plans to build a new production facility in Austin, Texas. In the past 12 months, Tesla’s stock has soared, making it the most valuable American car company of all time.
SpaceX
SpaceX, Musk’s aerospace manufacturing and transportation services company, has had a busy 2021 so far. On February 1, 2021, the company’s Falcon 9 rocket carried its 100th successful mission into space. This launch marked a major milestone for SpaceX, as it was the first time the company had ever achieved such a feat. In 2021, SpaceX has also been awarded a $2.9 billion contract from NASA to develop and deploy a lunar lander for the Artemis mission.
Hyperloop
Elon Musk’s futuristic transportation vision, Hyperloop, has been gaining traction in 2021. In April of 2021, Musk announced that the first hyperloop passenger system would be built in India. The system will connect the cities of Pune and Mumbai, a distance of over 125 miles. This venture marks the first commercial deployment of Hyperloop technology and will be used to transport residents between the two cities.
Dogecoin
One of the most peculiar news stories of 2021 involves Elon Musk and the cryptocurrency Dogecoin. Dogecoin, a meme-inspired cryptocurrency, saw its value surge after Musk began tweeting about it and eventually hosting SNL. This surge in value was due to an influx of first-time investors drawn in by Musk’s enthusiasm for Dogecoin. The value of Dogecoin dropped significantly after Musk’s SNL appearance, but it still remains one of the most popular cryptocurrencies to this day.
Humanity Star
In January of 2021, Musk launched the Humanity Star satellite, an artificial satellite which orbits the Earth once every 90 minutes. The satellite, which looks like a geodesic sphere with many mirrors, is visible from Earth. Musk’s goal for this satellite was to improve the connection between humanity and its place in the universe.
Musk vs. the SEC
In 2021, Elon Musk has had some run-ins with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In February, the SEC accused Musk of violating a previous settlement that was put in place in 2018, when he tweeted about taking Tesla private. Musk and the SEC had to come to an agreement once again, although this time Musk was fined $20 million and was forced to step down as Tesla chairperson.
The Future of Astronomy
Elon Musk and his companies have made some major strides in 2021 when it comes to space exploration and astronomy. With the successful launch of the Falcon 9 and the development of a lunar lander for the Artemis mission, Musk and SpaceX are ushering in a new era of space exploration. With the Humanity Star satellite providing a unique view of humanity and its place in the universe, and Tesla’s cutting-edge electric vehicles, it is clear that Elon Musk’s footprint in the world of technology will be felt for years to come.
