Anduril Partner + New Chip plants + more🚀🤖

Today's Mission Brief 🚀

• Anduril Expands Defense Innovation with New Partner Program

• GM Shifts Gears: Cruise Ends Robotaxi Ambitions, Refocuses on Assisted Driving

• SpaceX Pulls Off Midnight Starlink Launch, Eyes Back-to-Back Missions

• Micron Scores $6.2B in CHIPS Act Funding to Boost U.S. Chipmaking

Anduril Expands Defense Innovation with New Partner Program

When communications break down, Anduril’s tech steps in. It’s like team-building for defense innovators—without the trust falls.

Summary:
Anduril Industries is stepping up its national security mission with the launch of the Lattice SDK and Partner Program, connecting top defense innovators to deliver real-time, mission-critical capabilities. This initiative provides dedicated developer support and hands-on integration help for military-focused applications.

Why It Matters:

• Mission-Ready Tech: The program enhances warfighter capabilities by enabling cutting-edge tech in disconnected, high-pressure environments.

• Collaborative Innovation: Partners gain direct access to Anduril's Lattice SDK, enabling faster deployment and deeper integration of defense systems.

GM Shifts Gears: Cruise Ends Robotaxi Ambitions, Refocuses on Assisted Driving

 GM’s robotaxi dreams hit the brakes—but their push for smarter cars is shifting into high gear.

Summary:
General Motors has announced it will no longer fund Cruise’s robotaxi program due to long development timelines, rising costs, and growing competition. Instead, GM will merge its Cruise and tech teams to focus on expanding its Super Cruise and Ultra Cruise advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

What’s Next:

• Full Ownership Pending: GM plans to buy out Cruise’s remaining shareholders by mid-2025, gaining 100% ownership.

• Strategic Shift: By integrating Cruise’s tech, GM aims to create a seamless path from ADAS to fully autonomous vehicles.

• Spending Cutbacks: GM expects to save over $1B annually after completing the restructure.

CEO Insight:
“We’re committed to delivering the best driving experiences in a capital-efficient way,” said GM CEO Mary Barra.

SpaceX Pulls Off Midnight Starlink Launch, Eyes Back-to-Back Missions

 SpaceX’s December lineup is looking more booked than holiday travel.

Summary:
In the early hours of December 9, 2024, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida, deploying 23 Starlink satellites into orbit. But that’s just the beginning—SpaceX has two more launches planned for December 12, 2024.

What’s Next:

• Double Launch Day:

  • Mission 1: Falcon 9 will lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, carrying another batch of Starlink satellites. Launch window opens at 9:30 HST.

  • Mission 2: A second Falcon 9 will launch from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, delivering two O3b mPower communications satellites for SES, expanding global connectivity.

Micron Scores $6.2B in CHIPS Act Funding to Boost U.S. Chipmaking

Micron’s $6.2B chip boost isn’t just a tech win—it’s a jobs jackpot with a tech twist.

Summary:
Micron Technology has finalized $6.2B in CHIPS Act funding to build two major semiconductor fabrication plants (fabs) in New York and Idaho. The award, announced by the U.S. Department of Commerce, will support Micron's production of cutting-edge memory chips while creating thousands of jobs.

Key Highlights:

• New York Expansion: Two fabs in Clay, NY, will create 13,500 facility and construction jobs.

• Idaho Expansion: A $25B memory chip fab in Boise will generate 6,500 jobs near Micron's R&D hub.

• National Security Boost: The investment supports onshoring critical tech, increasing U.S. semiconductor independence.