Welcome to Discover Daily , by Perplexity , your AI-curated digest of breakthroughs in tech , science and culture . I'm Alex . Today we're examining the EU's initiative to develop satellite alternatives for Ukraine as Starlink access becomes uncertain , revealing how space technology has become intertwined with international relations . But first let's look at what else is happening .
Our first story takes us to the North Sea , where a major maritime incident has unfolded . On Monday , march 10 , 2025 , the US-flagged oil tanker MV Stena Immaculate collided with the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship Solong off the coast of East Yorkshire , england . The collision resulted in fires on both vessels and triggered a large-scale rescue operation .
Scale rescue operation . The incident occurred at 9.48 am local time when the Solong struck the anchored Stena Immaculate . This led to a ruptured cargo tank on the Stena Immaculate , which was carrying Jet A-1 fuel . Fires erupted on both vessels , with witnesses describing a massive fireball .
Multiple explosions aboard the tanker forced crew members to abandon ship and jet fuel was released into the North Sea , raising environmental concerns . Poor visibility due to fog in the area may have contributed to the accident . Port of Grimsby East CEO , martin Boyers , suggested that the container ship Solong might have been on autopilot at the time of the crash .
As tracking data indicated , it was heading directly toward the stationary tanker before impact . A major rescue operation was swiftly launched , involving multiple agencies and assets . All 37 crew members from both vessels are now reported safe and accounted for . The environmental impact of this collision is a significant concern .
Greenpeace UK has expressed alarm , noting that the high-speed collision and aftermath footage were cause for great concern . The UK Coast Guard is now assessing the necessary counter-pollution measures , while the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has deployed investigators to Grimsby to gather evidence and evaluate the incident .
Moving on to our second story , we turn our attention to the world of brain-computer interfaces . Elon Musk's brain implant company , neuralink , has filed trademark applications for futuristic terms like telepathy and telekinesis with the United States Patent and Trademark Office .
Neuralink filed these trademark applications on an intent-to-use basis , indicating the company's active development of products under these names . The telepathy trademark is described as an implantable brain to computer interface for facilitating communication and control of software and hardware .
This technology aligns with Elon Musk's vision for Neuralink's first product , which aims to enable individuals with paralysis to control computers or phones using only their minds . Currently , neuralink's technology involves a brain implant that collects neural signals and software that translates these signals into cursor movements on a computer screen .
Neuralink's telekinesis trademark application hints at ambitious plans to develop technology that would let users control physical objects with their thoughts , building on their existing brain-computer interface .
But Neuralink may face challenges with the US Patent and Trademark Office , which typically rejects applications for generic concepts unless they've shown acquired distinctiveness through actual commercial use . In the past , the USPTO has rejected trademark cases for light beer and convenience store .
The cases differ from Neuralink's Blindsight trademark , which has a stronger position because it's tied to a specific FDA-designated vision-restoring implant already in development , giving it the real-world commercial connection that the more speculative applications don't yet have .
As of February 2025 , three individuals with paralysis have received experimental Neuralink implants as part of an early feasibility study . The company's broader aspirations extend beyond assisting those with paralysis , as evidenced by their trademark filing for Blindsight , which suggests technology aimed at restoring vision to those with sight loss .
Now let's look at our main story of the day the European Union's efforts to help Ukraine replace Starlink . The European Union is actively working to reduce Ukraine's reliance on Starlink by exploring alternative satellite communication solutions . Exploring alternative satellite communication solutions .
This initiative comes amid concerns over Starlink's availability and the challenges of replacing its extensive capabilities . Ukraine's dependence on Starlink for critical communications is significant . According to Mykhailo Fedorov , ukraine's digital minister . Approximately 40,000 Starlink terminals are currently operational throughout the country .
These terminals provide essential connectivity for government functions , healthcare operations and military communications . The need for satellite internet has become crucial in Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict . Traditional internet infrastructure has become vulnerable to destruction , and Russian military often employs jamming strategies that disrupt reliable connectivity .
Satellite internet services are less susceptible to physical damage and interference , making them vital for maintaining communications . The EU's efforts to find alternative satellite solutions are driven by the need to ensure Ukraine's continued access to reliable communications , especially in light of geopolitical uncertainties surrounding Starlink's availability .
The EU is currently in negotiations with four major European satellite operators Luxembourg's SES , spain's Histosat , british-owned Viasat and the French-British operator Utelsat OneWeb . These discussions aim to create a patchwork of European infrastructure that could partially replace Starlink's services .
The EU is also considering its own satellite communication initiatives , such as GovSatCom , a pooled network of existing national government satellite capacity expected to reach initial operational readiness in 2025 , and IRIS , a planned constellation of 290 satellites led by UTELSAT , hispasat and SES .
Christophe Grudler , a French member of the European Parliament , has emerged as a vocal advocate for developing European satellite alternatives . He has urged the European Commission to take immediate action to assess alternative satellite solutions that the EU could offer Ukraine , emphasising the importance of reducing dependence on non-European providers for critical technologies .
But completely replacing Starlink's capabilities presents significant challenges . According to Research Director Luc Palermo Serra from Analysis Mason , no individual system or combination of European systems can currently match Starlink's extensive coverage provided by over 7,000 satellites in low Earth orbit .
A full replacement would require substantial investment to launch enough satellites for continuous high-speed connectivity . Despite these challenges , european satellite operators remain optimistic . Satellite operators remain optimistic .
Ses CEO Adel Alsale and Viasat representatives have expressed confidence that , while their systems may be less capable than Starlink , they can still provide sufficient internet access and support for drone operations . That wraps up today's episode of Discover Daily . Before we conclude , a brief note from Perplexity .
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