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During his two-day visit to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, where their discussions covered key areas like space, technology, and innovation. However, what grabbed attention online was Musk’s unique gift to the PM
The world’s richest man presented PM Modi with a gift, speculated to be a heat shield tile that flew on SpaceX’s Starship flight test 5 which took place October last year. The object was engraved with the words: “Starship flight test 5, October 12, 2024.”
‘Space relic’ as a gift
Musk’s choice of gift sparked speculation and excitement on social media, with many calling it a “space relic.” Some users on X suggested the tile was a piece of cutting-edge aerospace technology, while others praised the gesture.
“Giving space relics should become mainstream gifting culture now,” wrote one X user.
Meanwhile, PM Modi also exchanged gifts with Musk’s family. He presented Musk’s children with classic Indian books, including Rabindranath Tagore’s The Crescent Moon, The Great RK Narayan Collection, and Panchatantra by Pandit Vishnu Sharma.
Starship flight test 5
The heat shield tile gifted to PM Modi came from the fifth test flight of Starship, SpaceX’s most powerful rocket system. This particular test, conducted in October 2024, marked a major breakthrough as SpaceX successfully caught a 232-foot rocket booster mid-air using its massive “Chopstick” mechanical arms—a first in spaceflight history.
The mission also saw the rocket splash down in the Indian Ocean after testing key reusability technologies crucial for future Mars colonisation and Nasa’s Artemis lunar missions.
Following the test, Musk celebrated the achievement, calling it “a big step toward making life multiplanetary.”
High-level talks in Washington
The meeting between Musk and Modi took place at Blair House in Washington, DC, ahead of the Prime Minister’s scheduled talks with US President Donald Trump at the White House.
PM Modi and Elon Musk discussed a range of topics, focusing on technology, governance, and economic reforms. The Prime Minister spoke about India’s push for “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance,” highlighting efforts to improve efficiency through policy changes.
They also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in science, technology, and business, in line with India’s expanding digital economy.
“It was also a delight to meet Mr. Elon Musk’s family and to talk about a wide range of subjects!”, PM Modi posted on his X account.
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