Silicon Valley invades near-space with satellites and high altitude balloons |
Nearly nine decades after the Hindenburg disaster, some speculate we’re entering the Second Age of the Balloon. Put another way, we’re in the midst of a new Sputnik moment—an event that makes people collectively realize they need to do something.
“As all these objects fall, a new space race is rising,” Vox proclaimed.
Last week a large high altitude balloon floated across the U.S. before being shot down in dramatic style by a US F-22 Raptor jet off the South Carolina coast. The balloon was about 200 feet tall—comparable to the Statue of Liberty—about with a jetliner size payload, according to official reports. In the past couple weeks, American fighter jets shot down three other high-altitude objects that Beijing claimed were weather balloons, too.
The incidents led U.S. officials to enhance radars and atmospheric trackers to more closely scrutinize the nation’s airspace. They also put a spotlight on often-secretive and growing part of the economy: defense tech. |
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Why the balloon and UFO affairs are a Sputnik moment (Vox)
A Rising Awareness That Balloons Are Everywhere in Our Skies (New York Times)
Mexico cracks down on solar geoengineering, forcing startup to pause operations (CNBC)
Startups Thrive With Contracts Via Defense Innovation Office (Bloomberg) |
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Ballooning space industry
At the same time the world was focused on the Chinese balloon crossing U.S. airspace, a large unidentified object flew over Colombia, Costa Rica, and Venezuela. Those countries opted to let it to float away after ruling out espionage.
It turns out, that’s the case with tens of thousands of balloons that float into near space every year. The National Weather Service alone launches around 60k high-flying balloons each year. The Pentagon spent nearly $4B over the past two years on its own high altitude balloons, according to Politico.
Why the interest in such old-school tech?
“They’re cheap, easy to transport, can be fielded in large numbers and are payload agnostic,” industry expert George Howell wrote. |
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Startups are near-space invaders
Tucson, Arizona-based World View, a stratospheric ballooning company, last month announced plans to go public via SPAC merger. The company develops a “stratollite” that provides high-res imagery for extended periods. (The company also offer space tourism.)
Colorado-based Urban Sky is creating what it claims as the first ever reusable stratospheric balloon. Called “micro-balloons,” they’re the size of a VW bus and can hover in near space to collect data over urban areas. Company founder Jared Leidich has some chops in this arena, having designed the space suit used in the world record space dive in 2014 via a balloon at nearly 136k feet.
Near Space Labs invites people to “step inside a new way of thinking about all things geospatial imaging.'” The company's high-altitude balloons that carry a small, autonomous robot called Swifty to capture the world around them at 60k to 85k feet in the air. The company says it’s done zero carbon emissions and recently launched a program to make its high-resolution Earth imagery available to universities and nonprofits for free.
Headwinds in Mexico
Last month Mexico issued a statement that it plans to “prohibit and, where appropriate, stop experimentation practices with solar geoengineering in the country” to stop plans by U.S. startup Make Sunsets to release reflective weather balloons into the skies.
The plan was for the balloons, filled with helium and a small amount of sulfur dioxide, to float high into the stratosphere and burst, dispersing sulfur dioxide particles to reflect back sunlight and (theoretically, at least) cool the Earth. Though, there’s plenty of speculation it was a publicity stunt.
New inspiration
These high-profile incidents inspired the founder of Enigma Labs to create a repository to help catalog, score and crowdsource sightings (also called “unidentified aerial phenomena”) and incidents worldwide. |
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Unmanned drone swarms
The U.S. is working with startups to develop autonomous military vehicles. Swarms of autonomous drones developed by the U.S. military and others could blanket future war zones.
The military is also investing in shooting down drone swarms. Los Angeles-based Epirus raised a $200M Series C last year to develop a counter-electronics system called The Leonidas, billed as the world’s most powerful software-defined high-power microwave (HPM) system. The company won a U.S. Army contract to zap down unmanned drone swarms. A more mature startup, Anduril, won a $1B contract from U.S. Special Operations Command to lead its counter-drone systems integration work.
It’s a lot cheaper solution than fighter jets, experts say.
Though, there are critics of such autonomous machines, especially on the battlefield.
A global campaign called Stop Killer Robots seeks to ban lethal autonomous weapons, arguing they’re deeply unethical because they give machines control over life-and-death decisions and could disproportionately harm marginalized communities through algorithmic biases. |
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What we're reading - Companies save billions of dollars by giving employees fake "manager" titles, study shows (CBS News)
- Why you shouldn’t trust AI search engines (MIT Technology Review)
- GitHub is laying off 10% of staff and cutting down office space (Fortune)
- Tonal seeks fundraising valuing it at $500M, down from $1.9B, as home fitness industry struggles (Fortune)
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St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Spatial Networks, a geospatial data collection and analysis platform, raised a $42M Series A led by Kayne Partners and Kennet Partners to advance AI-powered geospatial data intelligence solutions for field-intensive industries such as utilities, construction, environmental services, and engineering.
Philadelphia-based Asylon Robotics, an automated air and ground security robotics company, raised an unspecified investment round from Veteran Ventures to strengthen its defense portfolio.
Tel Aviv, Israel-based Earth & Beyond Ventures, early-stage venture firm launched a $125M fund to back Israeli deeptech with dual purpose space and terrestrial applications. |
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Hi there — it’s Mandela Barnes, former candidate for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin and Senior Advisor at The Collective PAC.
I’m reaching out today with an extremely important favor to ask of you.
As I’m sure you know, it’s Black History Month. And we’re counting on our powerful movement of grassroots supporters to hit it out of the park this month and set us up for success this election cycle.
I know it may seem like your support won’t make a difference, but I need you to understand that your $10 could be the difference between electing a Black progressive champion or a Republican extremist in 2023. So I’m asking you personally: Will you chip in $10 to The Collective PAC right now?
| If you've stored your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will be processed immediately. |
Make no mistake — We made substantial progress toward political equity in 2022, and we’re so proud of everything we accomplished over the past year.
But I want to make one thing clear: The fight to fix the challenge of under-representation of the Black community in elected seats of power throughout our nation is far from over.
Right now, a party led by racist, right-wing extremists holds the majority in Congress. And as long as “politicians” like Marjorie Taylor-Greene, Matt Gaetz, and Lauren Boebert have ANY power over our government, our work will never be over.
I saw firsthand the lengths that Republicans are willing to go to drown out Black voices. The GOP funneled millions of dollars in dark money into my race against Ron Johnson and into races like mine across the country — all to prevent Black voices from having a say.
That’s why the future of our efforts to elect Black leaders here at The Collective PAC in 2023 and 2024 depends on the success of our program this Black History Month, and we can’t do it without your immediate support.
Please — if you can, chip in $10 today and help us hit a home run this Black History Month. Your support will give us the resources we need to succeed over the next two years:
| If you've stored your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will be processed immediately. |
Thank you so much for the work you’ve done and that you continue to do to help The Collective PAC achieve their mission of creating a democracy that truly represents its people.
— Mandela Barnes
The Collective PAC is strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward. Since our inception in 2016, we have helped 110 candidates win general elections at the local, state and federal levels. We strive to support the next wave of progressive and unapologetic Black candidates who will usher in a sea of change in our political system while helping America fulfill its promise of democracy by creating a government that will truly be for the people and of the people. |
To Donate by Check: PO Box 15320, DC 20003
| Paid for by the Collective PAC; not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. |
FIRST → Senator Elizabeth Warren called for a code of ethics for Supreme Court justices to restore trust in the Court and hold justices – like Clarence Thomas and Amy Coney Barrett! – accountable for possible conflicts of interest. THEN → The American Bar Association voted to SUPPORT a binding code of ethics for Supreme Court justices. NOW → We want to hear what grassroots Democrats think about this plan, so we’re counting on YOU to represent your community in our rapid response poll today. After Justice Clarence Thomas’ wife, Ginni Thomas, was exposed for her role in Trump’s Big Lie and close ties to anti-abortion rights groups, the impartiality of the Court was called into question. But the American people deserve to feel confident in the Court! That’s why it's critical that the Supreme Court has a binding code of ethics, so that justices are held accountable for any potential conflicts of interest. But we want to hear what Democrats in your community think: Will you take our poll to let us know if you support a code of ethics for Supreme Court justices? TAKE THE POLL →
We’re counting on your response,
Team DLCC DONATE >>
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⇩⇩⇩ NO MATTER WHAT THE GOP SAYS:
SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, AND OTHER CRITICAL HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS ARE ON THE LINE!
Republicans cheated and lied their way back into control of the House — we can NOT trust them to protect Social Security and Medicare.
We’re counting on at least 1,000 Democrats from your area to help fund our emergency response efforts to STOP Kevin McCarthy in his extremist tracks! Donate $10 to help us raise the $15K we NEED to fight back and WIN → | If you've stored your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will be processed immediately. |
–The Collective PAC
 The Collective PAC is strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward. Since our inception in 2016, we have helped 110 candidates win general elections at the local, state and federal levels. We strive to support the next wave of progressive and unapologetic Black candidates who will usher in a sea of change in our political system while helping America fulfill its promise of democracy by creating a government that will truly be for the people and of the people. |
To Donate by Check: PO Box 15320, DC 20003 | Paid for by the Collective PAC; not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. |
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The good news: State Democrats had a strong start to 2023 – beating Republican extremists in four special elections in Pennsylvania and Virginia. The bad news: We only have one week before our Democrat Chuck Grassie goes toe-to-toe with his Republican opponent, David Walker, in a TOSS-UP New Hampshire special – and if we lose this it’ll be a HUGE blow to state Democrats. This is a toss-up, must-win race with so much at stake. If Chuck Grassie can win next Tuesday, it would be the first of four seats needed for Democrats to take control of the New Hampshire House – and there’s already another critical special election on the books for this spring. So we truly mean it when we say your gift today could mean the difference between a win and a loss for candidates like Chuck in competitive special elections. There’s no time to waste – will you step up and donate $7, $25, or whatever you can to elect state Democrats like Chuck in New Hampshire and beyond? | If you've stored your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will process immediately. |
If Republican David Walker wins this seat, he would be another vote in the New Hampshire House for extreme abortion ban legislation and would bolster the GOP’s razor-thin chamber margin. But if Democrat Chuck Grassie wins, he’ll be one more Democratic vote to protect abortion access, lower costs for working families, and so much more. We know that with enough time, energy, and investment, we can WIN in races like these – electing Democrats who will fight for essential legislation across the country. But it’ll take the full support of this grassroots movement to power us to victory. Before you close this email, will you chip in $7 to support state Democrats in must-win elections? There’s only one week left before New Hampshire >> Hurry before it’s too late!
DLCC Team DONATE »
I just heard some incredible news, so I had to reach out right away: To help reach our goal of 1,000 new USO Home Team members this month, a generous group of USO donors will MATCH your first gift to the USO when you join the USO Home Team — but only for the next 48 hours! The USO Home Team is an exclusive group of patriotic Americans whose ongoing support helps ensure the USO can be there for our troops through thick and thin. And we want YOU on board, especially right now, when the value of your first gift will be DOUBLED! Join the USO Home Team now with a monthly gift to take advantage of this incredible match opportunity! Your support will make a powerful difference for troops deployed all over the world! In addition to showing our troops that folks back home understand and appreciate the incredible sacrifices they make for us, as a member of the USO Home Team, you'll receive exclusive opportunities, content and updates on the work we're doing around the world and special items just for USO Home Team members. But, this incredible new-member match offer expires at midnight tomorrow, so we're counting on you to step up for our troops before it's too late: Will you join the USO Home Team now to take advantage of this opportunity and make your first gift worth twice as much? We can't wait to welcome you to this exclusive group of our most dedicated military supporters! — Sydney Jones, USO 
Hey — can we be honest with you?
We know that emails like this one might add up in your inbox — we see it in ours, too! We understand that the stream of emails asking for a donation can seem endless, so we wanted to make sure you knew that a real person wrote this email.
On behalf of Cori Bush and the Collective PAC, we’re reaching out today because the truth is, emails like this one fund a large percentage of our budget to re-elect Cori and other candidates working towards an equitable democracy.
Last month, we didn’t hit our fundraising goal. And now, we’re having to work extra hard to make up that gap. That's where you come in.
Our opponents are already raising millions from corporate PACs and lobbyists to defeat our movement in 2024, so we can’t afford to start this year off financially behind.
We understand you may not have been in a position to donate before. But with so much at stake in these next two years, we're hoping we can count on your support today.
Will you consider splitting a donation between Cori’s campaign and the Collective PAC today? A donation now will help us get this year back on track to ensure we can put all our energy into fighting for the people. | If you've stored your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will be processed immediately and split between Cori Bush and The Collective PAC. |
To many, 2023 is an ‘off-year’. But Cori has made it abundantly clear that for us — working people and families — we can’t afford to take an off-year.
Not while corporate PACs and lobbyists are already fundraising to take us down next year.
Not while reproductive freedom, Medicare for All, and housing justice are on the line.
And not while right-wing extremists have their eyes on our campaign to see if we have what it takes to re-elect Missouri's first Black Congresswoman.
If we're going to re-elect Cori and other folks fighting for a truly equitable democracy, we can't slow down. Please split a $10 donation today to support Cori as she presses forward on our progressive agenda for racial, economic, and environmental justice and to support the Collective PAC. | If you've stored your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will be processed immediately and split between Cori Bush and The Collective PAC. |
Thank you,
Team Cori
 The Collective PAC is strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward. Since our inception in 2016, we have helped 110 candidates win general elections at the local, state and federal levels. We strive to support the next wave of progressive and unapologetic Black candidates who will usher in a sea of change in our political system while helping America fulfill its promise of democracy by creating a government that will truly be for the people and of the people. |
To Donate by Check: PO Box 15320, DC 20003 | Paid for by the Collective PAC; not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. |
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