SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed that the company launched his personal Tesla Roadster into orbit in 2018 primarily to mitigate risk. He stated on X on Monday that the probability of failure for the mission was very high, so they did not want to risk anything valuable.

The vehicle, which featured a mannequin in a space suit and a copy of Douglas Adams’ novel “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” was strapped to a Falcon 9 rocket. Musk noted that few people knew this rationale behind the high-profile demonstration.

Upcoming Roadster Unveil

Tesla is reportedly planning an event in Texas this month to unveil the next-generation Roadster. The new model will feature a cold gas thruster system developed with SpaceX, capable of lifting the vehicle into the air briefly. Musk has previously promised debuts for the vehicle on multiple occasions.

SpaceX Expansion Plans

SpaceX is targeting significant scale increases in its operations. Musk stated the company aims for 10,000 Starship launches annually by the end of the decade. This projection follows a space policy boost from the Donald Trump administration.

Additionally, SpaceX may attempt the first-ever mid-air catch of an upper-stage rocket with Starship flight 14 in the coming months. The company also highlighted a partnership with NVIDIA Corp to launch the Vera Rubin chip, optimized for space, by the fourth quarter of 2027. The rack design will be denser and lighter.

Market Reaction

SPCX shares rose 0.77% to $136.44 during overnight trading on Monday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Elon Musk may reconsider his opposition to allowing Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ: SPCX) Starlink over Russian territory, arguing the move could weaken Moscow’s war capabilities.

Musk Weighs Starlink Use Over Russia

Zelensky told reporters on Saturday that Musk has previously viewed the expansion as an escalation but "may change his mind once he sees further arguments," according to the Kyiv Independent. Kyiv seeks Starlink-enabled drones to maintain reliable links during strikes against Russian military sites, aiming to disrupt capabilities Russia relies on to drag out the conflict.

The push follows earlier reports that Zelensky asked President Donald Trump to help secure Musk’s permission. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) noted Ukraine wants access so its longer-range systems can be "more accurate." Trump did not commit to the request.

Ukraine Pushes For Expanded Battlefield Access

This development follows a shift in Starlink’s battlefield role this year. In February, Ukraine and SpaceX blocked unauthorized terminals used by Russian forces inside Ukraine via a whitelist system. Reuters reported widespread communications problems among Russian units afterward. Ukraine continues to use tens of thousands of Starlink connections for battlefield communications and some attack drones.

Musk later broadened Starlink’s permitted Ukrainian use. A person familiar with the move said SpaceX’s instruction was, "No limits. Take off the gloves; use Starlink for anything to help Ukraine."

Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov recently credited SpaceX with protecting Ukrainian air defenses and saving civilian lives. Musk responded, "Trying to do the right thing. I hope there is peace soon."

However, Musk has resisted extending coverage into Russia. Zelensky cited an earlier misunderstanding after Ukraine’s Defense Ministry told him SpaceX had approved such use. He raised it with Trump, only to learn Musk had not agreed. "He said that I had supposedly deceived him," Zelensky recalled. Musk considered the proposed expansion a dangerous escalation.

Zelensky stated Kyiv and Trump administration officials continue engaging Musk and are receiving "different, more encouraging feedback." Benzinga reached out to SpaceX for a statement but did not receive an immediate response.

Russia Builds Its Own Starlink Rival

Meanwhile, Russia has accelerated its Rassvet satellite network. Rassvet currently has 16 satellites, with Moscow targeting 292 by 2027 and 924 by 2035. Ukrainian intelligence says a completed constellation could eventually operate "like Starlink."

"I treat this as just another challenge," Zelensky said.