Featured

Tom Mueller’s Journey: From Idaho to SpaceX, Navigating the Demands of Elon Musk

Published

2 years ago

09/18/2023

Tom Mueller may not be a name that most people instantly associate with aerospace history. But he has made nothing short of a transformative contribution to the space sector, particularly through his collaboration with SpaceX and Elon Musk. Mueller provided a unique perspective on working with the visionary entrepreneur in a recent interview for Walter Isaacson’s book Elon Musk, revealing the demanding nature of Musk’s leadership and the difficulties they faced together.

Tom Mueller’s journey to becoming a key figure in the aerospace world was far from conventional. Tom Mueller’s journey to success in the aerospace industry was anything but typical. Mueller, from the small town of Saint Maries, Idaho, grew up with a keen interest in science fiction and rockets. He was raised with a tough, practical outlook on life owing to his father’s work as a lumberjack, which would be useful in his future career.

After graduating from the University of Idaho, Mueller moved to Los Angeles to begin his career in aerospace, where he joined the Reaction Research Society, the country’s oldest amateur aerospace organisation, and took a job at TRW. These early encounters sharpened his abilities and fuelled his enthusiasm for rocket engineering, laying the groundwork for an innovative collaboration.

The turning point in Mueller’s life came on a fateful Sunday in January 2002. In a garage, he and his buddies were experimenting with a homemade rocket when word came that Elon Musk wanted to meet them. Musk had just sold PayPal for an astounding $1.5 billion. They planned to meet on Super Bowl Sunday, but when they got into discussions about creating a launch vehicle, the game was put on hold. They established Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, subsequently known as SpaceX, along with Chris Thompson, with Mueller in charge of propulsion and addressing the intricate problems associated with rocket thrust.

Mueller made a choice in the early days of SpaceX that unintentionally impacted his relationship with Musk. He asked Musk to put two years’ worth of pay into escrow so that he would have money in the event of failure. Although wise, this action made Musk view Mueller more as a co-worker than a co-founder. Musk believed that co-founders should embody a combination of inspiration, hard work, and risk, and this financial arrangement didn’t align with his vision.

It turned out to be a tough and intense experience working for Musk. SpaceX operated under strict deadlines and a culture of learning from mistakes. Engineers who indicated uncertainty or pessimism were relegated to the periphery and kept out of subsequent discussions. The engineering teams felt a sense of urgency and demoralisation as a result of Musk’s impatience, which frequently led to timelines that were all but impossible to meet.

However, Mueller viewed Musk’s leadership style as having this trait as both a strength and a drawback. Although the sense of urgency frequently resulted in spectacular achievements, it may also have a negative impact on morale, making engineers feel overwhelmed by seemingly impossible targets.

After nearly two decades at SpaceX, Tom Mueller left the company in late 2020 to embark on his own journey. He established Impulse Space, a business with big aspirations in space exploration, with the support of influential investors like Peter Thiel. The goal of Impulse Space is to create a spaceship that can efficiently launch several payloads into various orbits. They hope to work with Relativity Space to be the first company to launch commercial cargo to Mars in 2026 utilising the Relativity Terran R launch vehicle, possibly surpassing Elon Musk in his own quest to reach Mars.

Tom Mueller has had a long career and has achieved much, yet he still has great dreams. He aims to go into space on his own, and one of his dreams is to go to the moon and ride an electric dirt bike across its surface. His journey from a little Idaho town to becoming a significant player in the aerospace business serves as an example of the amazing prospects that can result from a love of science and a willingness to engage in risky partnerships and endeavours.

Tom Mueller’s narrative is a landmark to the strength of perseverance, creativity, and teamwork in space exploration, where the limits of what is possible are continually being pushed, all the while traversing the difficult terrain of working with a visionary like Elon Musk.

Entertainment

Your Ultimate Guide to Shopping Amazon’s Big Spring Sale

Published

11 hours ago

03/23/2025

Flaunt Post

If you love hunting for the perfect finds—whether it’s fashion staples, beauty must-haves, or the latest tech—Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is your chance to snag incredible deals. This seasonal shopping event, running from March 25 to March 31, offers discounts of up to 40% across multiple categories, making it the ideal time to refresh your wardrobe, skincare routine, and home essentials.

With thousands of products on sale, navigating the best deals can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry—we’ve done the research for you. From high-quality basics to trending beauty tools, we’ve handpicked the top items worth adding to your cart. Whether you’re looking to elevate your spring style or invest in game-changing skincare, this sale has something for everyone.

Stay tuned as we break down the best deals, insider shopping tips, and must-have products to make the most of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. Happy shopping!

Business

Sarah Burton’s Givenchy Debut: A New Era Through the Female Gaze

Published

2 weeks ago

03/12/2025

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Sarah Burton has officially redefined Givenchy. In her Fall 2025 debut at Paris Fashion Week, the former Alexander McQueen creative director brought a feminine perspective to the legendary house, embracing strength, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence. This moment felt significant—not only because of Burton’s storied past but also because so few women currently helm major luxury brands.

A Tribute to Givenchy’s Heritage

Burton’s inspiration came from Hubert de Givenchy’s 1952 debut collection, known for its clean, graphic silhouettes. A recent discovery of the maison’s archival calico patterns further fueled her vision, leading to designs that balanced wearable ease with dramatic, couture-like elements.

The show opened with a black fishnet catsuit, a bold reset before transitioning into the essence of Burton’s Givenchy—a collection that honored the past while embracing modern femininity.

Key Looks & Defining Elements

Oversized Suits with Cinched Waists → A powerful balance of structure and fluidity.

Sleeveless Dresses with Ruffled Hemlines → Adding movement and drama to everyday elegance.

Cocoon-Like Coats & Jackets → Featuring rounded, puffed-up shoulders, nodding to Givenchy’s classic volume play.

Body-Diverse Runway Casting → One of the few Paris shows this season to feature a range of body types, reinforcing Burton’s commitment to dressing real women.

A New Vision for Modern Women

Burton’s Givenchy is about more than just clothes—it’s about how women want to feel: powerful, sexy, vulnerable, and strong, all at once. Her debut collection wasn’t just a runway success—it was a statement on the future of fashion, where femininity is both celebrated and redefined.

Featured

Louis Vuitton Fall 2025: Reimagining the Traveler’s Wardrobe

Published

2 weeks ago

03/12/2025

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For Fall 2025, Nicolas Ghesquière took Louis Vuitton on a journey—literally. His latest collection transported attendees to a train platform, drawing inspiration from cinematic railway moments like Casablanca, Brief Encounter, Snowpiercer, and 2046. The setting? The soon-to-reopen L’Étoile du Nord train station near Gare du Nord in Paris, reinforcing the romanticism of travel through fashion.

A Vision of Travelers Through Time

The collection imagined travelers from different eras, dressed in Ghesquière’s futuristic Vuitton aesthetic. Some looked like commuters, others like luxury vacationers boarding the Orient Express, decked out in elegant outerwear and opulent layers. The result was a mix of wearable technical pieces and high-fashion statements, all rich in detail and storytelling.

Key Looks and Standout Pieces

Wearable, Technical Outerwear → Practical yet stylish, featuring subtle Vuitton branding.

A Voluminous Bordeaux Red Tulle Skirt → Paired with an ’80s-style leather belt and a pale blue LV checked ukulele case.

Black Robe with Ostrich Feathers → Dramatic and timeless.

Layered Floral Gowns → Adorned with crystals and velvet dévoré, evoking a sense of luxurious nostalgia.

Mona Tougaard’s Deep Forest Green Dress → Featuring black lace detailing, perfect for the red carpet.

Knitwear with Exaggerated Shoulders → A futuristic take on classic structured silhouettes.

Oversized Suede Hiking Jackets → Blending practicality with high fashion.

Kraftwerk x Louis Vuitton Collaboration → A special capsule collection themed “Trans-Europe Express”, featuring bags and apparel designed with the German electronic music pioneers.

An Intoxicating, Transportive Collection

With cinematic drama, luxurious craftsmanship, and a celebration of travel, Louis Vuitton Fall 2025 proved to be a masterful fusion of nostalgia, futurism, and wearable luxury. The collection wasn’t just about clothes—it was about storytelling, transforming the runway into a voyage through time and style.