SpaceX Beginning to Launch Waves of Spy Satellites 

On Wednesday, SpaceX launched its first wave of spy satellites, intended to strengthen US national security in the new field of space surveillance. The mission (and future missions, for that matter) was conducted at the request of the National Reconnaissance Office, or NRO.

The rocket, Falcon 9, departed from Southern California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base in the early morning of Wednesday, in what seems to be a first wave of the company’s spy satellite deployments.

The classified mission, named NROL-146, was the Falcon 9’s fifth launch for the NRO. Due to agency security concerns, footage of the rocket’s upper stages was not filmed. Most of the successful launch, however, is available for viewing.

At the start of the year, SpaceX was seen constructing hundreds of alleged spy satellites for the US NRO. 

What The NRO Has To Say

“This mission is the first launch of the NRO’s proliferated systems featuring responsive collection and rapid data delivery,” the NRO said in a statement. “NROL-146 represents the first launch of an operational system following demonstrations in recent years to verify cost and performance.”

The NRO stated that approximately six launches supporting NRO's proliferated architecture are planned for 2024, with additional launches expected through 2028.

Amazon’s Alexa Will Soon Utilize AI

Later this year, Amazon Alexa fans will be greeted with a new-and-approved device. The talkative, informative Alexa will get an AI overhaul, adding additional features not provided before.

In the ever-more intense battle between the top-dog AI producers, such as OpenAI and Alphabet, Amazon revealed its plans to manufacture an AI-powered Alexa last September.

Alexa’s Financial Situation

The normal Alexa we’ve been familiar with for a decade has grown extremely successful but has proven awkward when it comes to making business money. In lieu, users of the upcoming new version will be charged a monthly subscription fee to balance out the spending cost of Amazon’s new technology.

Not only this, but Amazon also hopes to ensure that Alexa stays “up there” as a consistent choice for home-integrated AI that one can use any moment with simply their voice. This feature sets it apart from other AI tech that exist most on one’s phone or PC.

A Lingering Threat

For instance, in comparison, OpenAI, last week, revealed ChatGPT-4o: a new AI that can understand vocal queries and respond with its own computer-generated speech.

Let alone competing against a similar product, ChatGPT-4o has the ability to respond more appropriately and conversationally in numerous languages. It can be interrupted–even sing and laugh. Of course, Alexa will need a serious upgrade to outdo.

Although the fee (separate from Prime) may potentially turn off some customers, MSN lists five benefits of the device that can make a subscription worth it.

Some of the upgrades–many of which are still speculative–may include better awareness of context when users speak and more personalized responses.

In Other News

• An Indictment Just Occurred Over Biden Robocall, Questions Continue To Be Raised Over AI-Generated Content

• New Tech Devices May Get New Lables Informing Users on Hackability

• Amazon To De-orbit Satellites, Declare Prototypes Successful

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