CNBC host Jim Cramer urged investors not to dismiss Elon Musk after SpaceX’s (NASDAQ:SPCX) first Starlink V3 satellites completed a demonstration in space, highlighting Musk’s record of delivering breakthroughs after years of skepticism.
Cramer Hails Musk After Starlink Breakthrough
Musk called the spacecraft a "gamechanger" on X. Cramer reposted the message and wrote, "Why you must NEVER count this man out!! EVER," echoing his praise for Musk and SpaceX.
The reaction followed Starship’s 13th test flight from Starbase, Texas, on July 24. The 407-foot rocket released 20 V3 satellites about 124 miles above Earth before they followed the planned suborbital path and burned up during reentry. Reuters said they briefly connected with Starlink’s network of 10,000 satellites.
The mission advanced SpaceX’s shift from Falcon 9 to Starship for next-generation deployments. The V3 units extended solar arrays, activated thrusters and antennas, exchanged data through radio links and lasers, and photographed Starship’s heat shield before reentry, according to SpaceX.
V3 Satellites Promise Massive Capacity Gains
Each V3 satellite is designed to provide 1 terabit per second of downlink capacity and 160 gigabits per second of uplink capacity, about 10 times and 22 times the respective capacity of V2 spacecraft. Starlink says the design supports 2,048 communication beams each way, six 400-gigabit space lasers and solar arrays generating twice the power.
One Starship launch could add about 20 times as much network capacity as a Falcon 9 mission carrying V2 satellites, Starlink said. The expansion supports Musk’s claim that Starlink could eventually become the internet’s core infrastructure rather than another broadband provider.
Cramer has warned that Starlink could become a "considerable competitor" to traditional telecommunications companies in rural markets. His endorsement follows investor debate over whether SpaceX’s growth prospects justify enthusiasm surrounding Musk’s satellite, launch and orbital-computing plans.
Starship Setbacks Temper Otherwise Successful Flight
The flight was not flawless. Reuters reported that five booster engines failed to relight, causing Super Heavy to hit the Gulf of Mexico harder than intended. Starship nevertheless completed its best reentry yet and remained afloat after an Indian Ocean splashdown.
SpaceX aims to begin routine V3 launches by year-end, a milestone central to expanding global broadband, direct-to-cell service and future orbital artificial-intelligence systems.
Benzinga edge rankings indicate SPCX stock has a negative price trend across the short, medium, and long term.
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