Starlink recorded unprecedented images of Starship during SpaceX's 13th space flight

SpaceX released a new video showing the Starship spacecraft in full space flight, captured during the 13th rocket test on July 24. The footage was obtained by one of the new Starlink V3 satellites, which monitored the vehicle's trajectory after being deployed during the mission.

According to the company, six of the launched satellites were equipped with cameras designed to document the performance of the upper stage of Starship's thermal shield. The material also provided detailed information about the craft's flight, including the operation of some of its engines and attitude control systems during the operation.

Details of the craft shown in the video

The 65-second video presents recordings made by four cameras located on a single Starlink V3 satellite. Initially, the Starship is shown in a closer shot. As the separation between the two vehicles increases, the craft becomes visible in its entirety.

The images also show that three of the six Raptor engines remained operational at certain moments of the flight. Furthermore, small jets of white vapor indicate the use of thrusters responsible for precise orientation adjustments of the craft in space.

The satellites remained briefly in orbit

The 13th Starship test flight followed a suborbital trajectory, adhering to the pattern of previous missions in the program. The main distinction of this event was the launch of 20 functional Starlink V3 satellites, reaching space for the first time.

Since the mission did not reach orbit, these satellites returned to Earth approximately twenty minutes after being released. However, SpaceX plans to use future versions in orbital missions. A document submitted to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) indicates that the company aims to operate a constellation composed of one hundred thousand Starlink V3 satellites. Currently, the network has almost eleven thousand Starlink satellites, and the new V3s weigh about two tons each (4,400 pounds), making them larger than the V2 models.

Although the mission was successful, the Super Heavy booster encountered setbacks during its return. During the landing burn, only five of the thirteen planned Raptor engines came online, causing the booster to hit the waters of the Gulf of Mexico at a speed higher than projected. The Super Heavy uses 33 Raptor engines during takeoff.

Despite still being in the development phase, Starship is part of SpaceX's future projects. The rocket is scheduled to participate in NASA's Artemis III mission in mid-2027 and Artemis IV, planned for late 2028.

olhardigital.com.brAugust 1, 21:20

Snapchat, YouTube, and LinkedIn combat the proliferation of entirely AI-generated content

Snapchat, YouTube, and LinkedIn have joined a growing movement, including Substack, to tackle the spread of fake texts, images, and videos created entirely by artificial intelligence tools. This material, known in the industry as "AI slop" or "AI junk," has rapidly proliferated due to the easy access to programs that can generate everything from complete articles to hyper-realistic videos in seconds.

Snap, the owner of Snapchat, has decided to stop promoting videos generated exclusively by AI in its popular Spotlight feature, now prioritizing "authentic, human-produced content." The company clarified that it does not prohibit the use of the technology; materials that use AI only as an aid in editing or enhancement will remain visible in the feed. However, Snap admitted that fully automated content is often repetitive, low quality, and misaligned with what the community wants to consume.

Recent research on user behavior, as reported by the BBC, confirms this dissatisfaction. An additional study revealed a worrying consequence: the greater the exposure to fake AI content on social media, the lower users' trust in the veracity of any other online publication becomes.

LinkedIn and Substack's Stance

This scenario reflects a widespread discomfort. Chris Best, CEO and co-founder of the newsletter platform Substack, expressed his frustration by presenting a tool for readers to identify algorithmically created texts, stating: "It is becoming increasingly difficult to know what is real on the internet."

Best cited data indicating that up to 40% of texts published on social media today are false or automated by AI. The executive warned that "platforms that reward fake content will create a race to the bottom."

On LinkedIn, which focuses on the corporate world, the response was equally vigorous. The network implemented a feature that allows users to report posts or comments suspected of being made by bots. According to Hari Srinivasan, LinkedIn's product director, combating "AI junk" has become a top priority. In recent months, the platform has blocked billions of automated comment attempts and intercepted hundreds of thousands of spam daily. Additionally, LinkedIn removed an automatic shortcut that suggested users "improve text with AI" before posting, reverting to offering only a basic grammar checking tool.

Changes on YouTube

YouTube has also adjusted its monetization rules to discourage the filling of the platform with what it calls "inauthentic content." Investigations conducted over the past year exposed the existence of hundreds of channels operated exclusively by AI, many of which reached millions of subscribers and generated significant profits.

To control the growth of these "content farms," the Google-owned video platform defined three criteria for videos that will lose the right to receive advertising revenue: productions that are generic, repetitive, or based on standardized templates. Matt Halprin, head of YouTube's Trust and Safety division, emphasized in an interview that while artificial intelligence can be a valuable creative ally, it is being used abusively for the massive and low-quality production of videos. He concluded that "The same technology that allows creating amazing things also enables the creation of disposable material aimed only at 'mining' views. And it is exactly this type of content that we do not want on our network."

olhardigital.com.brAugust 1, 21:20

Review of Wi-Fi Mesh Routers Available on Amazon to Improve Signal Quality Presented

If your current internet connection relies on a traditional router, it might be time to upgrade your equipment. Mesh technology is designed to eliminate dead zones and ensure stable internet access throughout the entire home. This review presents three suitable options available at a discount on Amazon.

The TP-Link Deco M4 kit offers a practical solution for covering large areas with a quality signal. With support for the 5 GHz frequency and gigabit ports, it combines high speed and reliability in an easily configurable Mesh system via a mobile application. This kit is ideal for medium-sized homes experiencing issues with instability or connection drops.

TWIBI FORCE AX is a domestic alternative that utilizes the Wi-Fi 6 (AX) standard to increase speed and efficiency, especially when many devices are connected simultaneously. Mesh technology ensures uniform coverage throughout the house without interruptions when moving between rooms, which is a significant advantage for those who work from home or frequently stream video.

The Deco E3 is one of the most affordable options in the Mesh sphere from TP-Link. The two-device kit adequately covers medium-sized homes, and the AC1200 standard fully satisfies everyday needs such as browsing, streaming, and video calls without glitches. Its compact design allows the device to be discreetly installed in any interior.

Since these special offers may end at any moment, prompt action is recommended. Users are advised to choose the product that best suits their needs to ensure a significantly more reliable signal at home.

olhardigital.com.brAugust 1, 20:47

Honda and QuantumScape form partnership for solid-state battery development

Honda has established a collaboration with QuantumScape, an American company specializing in battery development, based in San Jose, California. The objective of this partnership, announced in June 2026, is to research and create solid-state batteries, along with the relevant manufacturing methodologies.

This agreement came several months after Honda decided to cancel the launch in the North American market of three electric models: the Honda 0 SUV, the Honda 0 Saloon, and the Acura RSX. This cancellation coincided with the company's first annual financial loss in approximately 75 years.

In a statement issued by QuantumScape, Atsushi Ogawa, Director of Operations at the Honda R&D Research Excellence Center, stated that the company's solid-state technology platform demonstrated 'convincing and unique advantages' during a technical study, suggesting that the partnership could 'add value across a range of applications.' Previously, QuantumScape had closed a similar deal the previous year with PowerCo SE, a battery company belonging to the Volkswagen group.

Besides electric vehicles, QuantumScape is positioning its solid-state batteries as a solution for emerging sectors with a high energy demand, such as data centers, robotics, and drones. Honda itself has ambitious goals, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and expand its electric vehicle production to cover 100% of sales by 2040.

How solid-state technology works

In conventional electric vehicles that use lithium ions, the electrolytes—responsible for conducting positively charged electrons between the cathode (positive terminal) and the anode (negative terminal)—are composed of liquid solutions of lithium salts dissolved in organic solvents. Solid-state batteries replace these liquid components with solid electrolytes, which can be oxides, sulfides, polymeric salts, or gel polymers.

This technological transition also allows for the replacement of carbon or silicon anodes with materials having higher energy capacity, such as metallic lithium. According to QuantumScape, an electric car equipped with one of its cells could increase its range from 350 miles to somewhere between 400 and 500 miles. Honda projected that a solid-state battery would be capable of reaching between 80% and 90% charge in just a few minutes.

Honda executives also indicated that this technology has the potential to double the extended range of current electric models by the end of this decade. Solid electrolytes offer significant benefits because they eliminate the risk of leaks, are non-flammable, and show less vulnerability to degradation caused by additional chemical reactions. Additionally, these batteries perform well even in extreme temperatures and could eliminate the need for graphite anodes, reducing the electric vehicle market's dependence on Chinese suppliers of this material.

Despite these notable advantages, no manufacturer has yet launched a fully electric vehicle powered by solid-state batteries to the consumer public. The main obstacle lies in the difficulty of scalability given the high production costs.

Honda began its work on solid-state batteries in 2024, when it announced its intention to produce prototypes at its facility located in Sakura City, Japan. The partnership with QuantumScape involves using the Eagle Line facility, recently inaugurated by the American company, to manufacture the QSE-5 cells—which are anode-free and contain metallic lithium—which were presented in a prototype of the Ducati V21L motorcycle last autumn. The company expects to introduce a solid-state electric vehicle by the end of this decade.