Chapter 30 - Future Tech X SpaceX Satellite
August 2012.
A week after Future Tech released the AIM devices, Elon scheduled a video meeting with Vince to discuss their cooperation.
"Good to see you, Vince. I know you're busy with plenty of things at your company, but I just wanted to notify you about the SpaceX satellite we've designed with Future Tech's assistance."
"SpaceX will launch the first one you ordered next month, and we'd love to have you there to witness it. With our advanced AIM satellites and refined manufacturing process, we'll be able to undercut Boeing and Lockheed Martin in satellite sales." Elon added.
"Thanks for notifying me. I'll send Morgan and Dollar to Hawthorne to check on the satellite in a few weeks and meet you all a day before launch." Vince said.
They bade farewells after some small talk, and Vince continued working with Patel and the AI department. He understood that most of their success had been thanks to advanced AI technology.
Close to a month had passed, and sales had been too good for Future Tech, and the company had to stop pre-orders before fulfilling their current ones.
The sheer demand was taking all the efforts of everyone to keep up.
Morgan had to postpone the release of the new motherboards and dedicated graphics cards because he had no other options.
Future Tech had to focus on manufacturing more Hive Mind suites because no other OEM could be contracted to produce their proprietary components.
Sales projection was entirely off as everyone, and their mother wanted to own a Future Tech device.
The company was currently $80 billion richer, and Vince decided to use $10 billion to purchase materials for more drones. (based on Apple's 2012 net revenue)
Vince brought Aiya to watch the SpaceX launch live from mission control.
They flew on a private jet with a few security operators and landed at the Hawthorne municipal airport a few hours later.
The group rented a few black SUVs and headed to the hotel to freshen up before going to SpaceX.
Elon, Price, and Morgan welcomed them as they arrived at the headquarters. Elon showed them around and eventually brought them to the mission control room.
The rocket and satellite were being launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida while they were watching the live feed and experiencing how SpaceX operates.
"The launch will begin soon. It will take a few minutes for the pre-flight checks." Elon said.
Vince and Elon talked about Aiya and AI bots while waiting for the checks to finish.
They watched as the rocket pierced through the sky a few minutes later, delivering their first advanced satellite containing a Bitcoin Bank backup and satellite networking functionality.
"Watch. The autonomous landing is the cool part." Elon said with a smile.
With the use of Future Tech AI, SpaceX developed the autonomous VTOL system enabling the reusable component to land itself four years in advance.
The SpaceX engineers started clapping, and some had tears in their eyes while Elon just stood there with a grin while watching the feed.
SpaceX streamed the entire launching and landing process live on various video streaming platforms and received plenty of congratulations on the internet.
"Elon, what if my satellite blew up while testing this new rocket?" Vince asked inquisitively.
"Don't be so modest, Vince. You can just pay to get another one made." Elon jokingly replied.
[Damn. Elon's right, but that's still $500 million.] Vince thought.
After the launch, Vince and his group immediately flew back to Austin.
Vince still had plenty to do, but the new Hive Mind suites produced made life less stressful for everyone at Future Tech.
It took another month before all the pre-orders were fulfilled and the additional stock was delivered.
Hive Mind suites were made available to Morgan's processor division, and Future Tech used some to upgrade the headquarters similar to the penthouse fully.
It was a beautiful day in November 2012 at Austin. The clear sky showered rays of sunlight while the new solar panels of the Future Tech headquarters absorbed the photovoltaic energy.
The panel cells covered the building in a magical-looking crystal lattice design.
Locals admired the beautiful sight as they were passing through the downtown area.
What people couldn't see were the large battery units on the basement floors of the building.
A large bald Swedish man wearing semi-casual attire spoke to Patel at the AI division while Vince was on his way to meet them.
"Christian, It's great to meet you in person finally. Welcome to Future Tech." Vince declared.
"Thank you for having me, Vince. I have good news to share." Mr. Koenigsegg replied.
"What's got you all worked up?" Vince asked.
"We got it to work! Freevalve! The most significant innovation in engine performance was electronically-controlled injection systems. With the help of Future Tech AI, we were able to develop an AI-controlled air valve system." Christian replied excitedly.
"The engines are now much smaller without the need for bulky timing belts and camshafts. Engine performance is night and day. So it was more than worth giving you a 10% stake in my company!" Christian added.
"I'm glad for your success, but you could have told me over a video meeting," Vince replied.
"I flew from Sweden to attend the 2012 Austin Formula 1 Grand Prix to meet with Jean Todt. He's the FIA president. I'll be pitching the Freevalve system for use in the following formula update. (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile)
"And I also brought you a little present—the new Agera SFV containing the new engine," Christian said with a grin.
"I have the Agera R parked at the ground level. So we can compare the two at the Circuit of the Americas outside Austin." Vince offered, and Mr. Koenigsegg immediately agreed.
Vince called Aiya to rent track time at COTA, which surprised Christian as he'd never seen an AI butler bot before.
[Christian is quite happy after developing Freevalve. It makes sense because he had to form a separate company in 2015 to develop the technology. He saved time and money working with us.] Vince thought.
A burly man in a suit named Greg, Vince's personal security for today, accompanied Aiya, Vince, and Christian to COTA.
They took the Rolls-Royce Klassen Phantom while another security operator drove the Agera R behind them.
The Agera SFV was initially brought into the country on one of the cargo planes used to transport Hive Mind suites.
It was picked up by a hauler from the airport and was brought into the COTA pit lanes.
[This is gonna be fun!] Vince thought excitedly.
Stats last time checked:
15 million BTC (currently trades at $1,000)
$75 Billion in Future Tech
3800+ employees (Future Studios, Hive Mind AI, ARM, BitCash, Future Security)
Five company collaborators
Dozens of investments under Future Tech Holdings