Elon Musk

SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight A Success

Filed under: Wings

SpaceX has become the first non-governmental entity to launch a spacecraft into orbit and recover it safely back on Earth. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex-40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and propelled the Dragon spacecraft into a 186 mile circular orbit. The capsule circled the Earth twice before firing its four thrusters and reentering the atmosphere. It touched down in the Pacific Ocean and boats and aircraft recovered the unmanned re-usable capsule. Dragon's next flight, scheduled for the middle of next year, will demonstrate the spacecraft's ability to rendezvous with the orbiting lab and future plans include filling it with cargo and eventually an astronaut.

This could be the first of a whole fleet of privately built space vehicles as the commercial space industry ramps up. The private rocket and spacecraft could be hauling astronauts to the space station in two to three years, leaving the NASA budget available to focus on more ambitious projects including trips to Mars. SpaceX, was founded by Elon Musk, who is also behind the electric car company Tesla. It launched a Falcon 9 rocket in June, but that test was done without an real capsule.

Tags: dragon, elon musk, falcon 9, spacex

Elon Musk Of Tesla Motors Enjoying His New Tag Heuer Monaco Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos

Guess who showed up at Tag Heuer's party in Malibu recently? Tesla Motors founder Elon Musk. His appearance makes sense given Tag Heuer and Tesla's recent partnership in creating a special Tag Heuer branded Tesla Roadster car as part of their Odyssey of Pioneers campaign. The all-electric Tesla sports car for Tag Heuer has traveled all over the world so far, and has now made an appearance in California. Below you can see images of the decked-out Tesla Roadster with lots of carbon fiber, complete with a mechanical Heuer stopwatch in the cabin. A very cool car, and a sign of how the two brands feel enough corporate cohesion to work together.

Elon Musk is seen here showing off his brand new Tag Heuer Monaco watch. A classic staple for Tag Heuer, the Monaco has always been one of its biggest sellers. Musk is standing next to Ulrich Wohn, CEO and President of Tag Heuer North America. I'll keep track on Tesla and Tag Heuer to see what conspires between them in the future!

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Elon Musk with Monaco and Tag Heuer Tesla car

Tags: car, Elon Musk, Tag Heuer, Tesla, ulrich wohn, watch

Elon Musk's Cash-Flow Problems

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

Even the richest people face cash problems. The NY Times reveals that charismatic businessman Elon Musk, co-founder of PayPal and CEO of Tesla Motors is a bit short on cash. Musk, who is in the midst of a divorce has acknowledged that he ran out of cash around four months ago. In his Dealbook column, New York Times's Andrew Ross Sorkin writes that while Musk had $200 million in cash not long ago now he is relying on the kindness of loans from his wealthy friends. He has invested all of his money in his businesses. But according to court filings he isn't exactly taking the bus and eating ramen for dinner, he still spends around $200,000 a month and flies on his private jet.

Musk's ex-wife, novelist Justine Musk has asked for the house, alimony, child support , $6 million cash and a share of Tesla Motors and a cut of Musk's stock in his rocket company, SpaceX. She's currently in New Orleans with her new boyfriend, has proclaimed that she gets along well with her ex's new actress girlfriend, and has blogged frankly about the divorce. The pair are debating about the validity of a postnuptial agreement. On her blog in her divorce tips she advises her readers not to sign a postnup.

Musk's cash flow issues are temporary. In two weeks, Tesla is scheduled to hold an initial public offering of stock that could value the company at about $1.4 billion. Telsa has said that the divorce should have no impact on the company. After the public offering, if it goes as hoped, he'd have around $21 million in cash and still own a controlling interest in Tesla.

Tags: Elon Musk, elon musk broke, elon musk ceo, elon musk divorce, elon musk finances, elon musk lawsuit, elon musk money, elon musk tesla, justine musk, Tesla, tesla motors