Tech

Tech Industry Updates: Dark Fiber and Starship Heat Shield

Updated 2026-07-27 20:10 UTC 1 source Neutral

Verizon announced a $1 billion dark fiber deal with Google, signaling potential growth in AI revenue. Meanwhile, experts warn that current Starship heat shield technology may not be suitable for rapid reuse.

Coverage timeline — 3 articles

Ars Technica

Experts warn current Starship heat shield tech is a "dead end" for rapid reuse

NASA has not made substantial investments in thermal protection research for decades.

2026-07-27 18:34 UTC

Ars Technica

Verizon touts $1B dark fiber deal for Google data centers as first of many

Telecom expects AI revenue from dark fiber deals and retrofitted data centers.

2026-07-27 18:48 UTC

Ars Technica

5th Circuit blocks Texas law requiring websites to filter "harmful" speech

Age verification is okay, but filtering is preempted by Section 230, judges find.

2026-07-27 19:18 UTC