local
Elon Musk’s plans refer to an idea conceived in the 1960s. What is the Kardashev scale?
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 10, 2026
· 11 min read
By Jacopo Prisco, CNN
(CNN) — Elon Musk’s plans for the future of SpaceX, and humanity, are rooted in an idea conceived in the 1960s when astronomers began to pick up mysterious, unknown radio sources in the cosmos.
Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev was a pioneer in the search for extraterr...
Key takeaway In the request, SpaceX asks for permission to send up to 1 million new satellites into orbit, with the goal of creating data centers in space.
Why this matters in The El Paso
El Paso 's proximity to major space research and development facilities makes the concept of the Kardashev scale particularly relevant to the local community. As SpaceX, with its ambitious plans to launch a massive constellation of satellites, continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and communication, El Pasoans may wonder what this means for their own city's potential involvement in the space industry. The fact that Elon Musk references the Kardashev scale in relation to SpaceX's goals suggests that the company is thinking about the long-term implications of its technology on a civilizational scale. For El Paso, this could mean opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and economic growth, particularly if local institutions and businesses can position themselves to support and contribute to the development of space-based technologies. As the city looks to diversify its economy and invest in emerging industries, the intersection of space exploration and the Kardashev scale's ideals could be an area worth watching.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 11 min
Get more The El Paso stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Jacopo Prisco, CNN
(CNN) — Elon Musk’s plans for the future of SpaceX, and humanity, are rooted in an idea conceived in the 1960s when astronomers began to pick up mysterious, unknown radio sources in the cosmos.
Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev was a pioneer in the search for extraterr...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter