The Leap of UAM
While the news regarding the security systems provided by Starlink Deepmind was capturing the spotlight in the American media, Miso distributed press briefing materials to the journalists, which included details on how their AI-based autonomous flight software had been applied to UAM (Urban Air Mobility). Rather than relying on reports from their respective Korean branches, the journalists responded to the news that a company within the same group was preparing for a UAM launch by sending in RSVPs to participate in the inaugural flight event.
Upon hearing that over 50 media outlets would be in attendance, Miso, feeling that she had seized a golden opportunity thanks to Starlink Deepmind, began preparing for the inaugural UAM flight event alongside Executive Director Kim Tae-hwan.
"Director Kim! Through this inaugural flight event, we need to imprint upon the general public and the media that we are the frontrunners in UAM. Is there anything that might grab the media's attention?"
"Executive Director Lee! While our competitors are currently only at a level where hovering and short-distance flights are possible, how about we use our UAM to deliver the beverages the reporters need from a nearby coffee shop?"
"That’s not bad, but... the impact feels a bit weak."
Miso seemed to have an idea, so she made a call to Korea.
"Unni! It’s me. Have you been well?"
While Miso was on the call, Director Kim reviewed the event plan. After talking for a long time, Miso, having seemingly obtained what she wanted, said her final goodbyes.
"Unni! I won’t forget this favor. Just confirm their availability and send me their phone number!"
As soon as Miso hung up, Director Kim asked, "Executive Director! Is this about the inaugural flight event?"
"Yes, that’s right. I’ve reached out to a celebrity, and they said they’d check and call me back. It’s not confirmed yet whether they’ll participate, so I’ll let you know once it’s decided."
While Taesik and Miso were preparing the UAM business in the United States, the atmosphere of inter-Korean reconciliation was ripening in South Korea due to news of North Korea's New Year's address. North Korea announced the results coordinated through the dispatch of the National Security Advisor via their New Year's address, and reporters broke the news regarding information related to South Korea.
The report added that Kim Jong-un’s younger sister and secretary was scheduled to visit South Korea in time for the February PyeongChang Olympics, that she might deliver an invitation to the President to visit the North, and that there was an intention to address the issues of North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
As the atmosphere of inter-Korean reconciliation grew, the Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration classified projects related to the "Three-Axis System" as secret projects, requesting defense contractors to maintain strict confidentiality so that the general public would not be aware. Starlink was also required to implement security measures for new projects such as military satellites and the Loyal Wingman.
While Taesik was exchanging communications with Korea, Miso prepared for the inaugural UAM flight event. After receiving a phone call, she urgently sought out Director Kim Tae-hwan.
"Director Kim! Does someone with a rotorcraft pilot license need additional training to pilot a UAM?"
"Since the relevant regulations haven't been established in the U.S. yet, you can pilot a UAM if you hold a rotorcraft pilot certificate. However, for safety reasons, you must undergo familiarization training on our own."
Miso whispered something to Director Kim. After looking at Miso with a surprised expression, Director Kim became convinced that the event would be a success.
On the day of the inaugural flight, reporters flocked to the LA Starlink UAM facility. While security procedures were being carried out, they were asked to order the drinks they wanted. Having seen UAM prototypes from other competing companies a few times, the reporters had printed out relevant materials and were checking questions for Starlink, waiting for the main event to begin.
When the time came, Taesik and Miso moved to the event venue where the UAM was prepared, and Miso prepared to host the event herself, taking the microphone.
Miso turned on the microphone as she watched the reporters clicking their camera shutters at the displayed UAM.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Starlink UAM inaugural flight event. We have named the UAM we are launching 'Starlink 1.' It has a maximum takeoff weight of 2,200kg and a payload of 500kg. It can carry 5 people, including the pilot, and can fly up to 250km."
The reporters typed furiously on their laptops upon hearing that the flight range of the UAM launched by Starlink was more than three times that of its competitors. Miso watched the reporters and signaled the pilots who were standing by.
The pilot inside the UAM nodded, turned on the power, and began to rotate the propellers. With a sharp whirring sound, wind rose around the aircraft, and the pilot lifted the UAM off the runway.
After hovering and rising over 10 meters, the UAM slowly shifted the direction of its propellers and began to move forward. Once the six propellers were fully facing forward, the UAM picked up speed.
"When transitioning from hovering to forward flight, Starlink's UAM uses flight control software to detect its attitude and ensure flight safety. Although a pilot is on board for safety, it is capable of autonomous flight for takeoff, landing, and reaching its destination."
Unlike other UAMs, the mention of autonomous flight capabilities prompted reporters to raise their hands to ask questions. Miso postponed the sequence, saying she would take questions later as the inaugural flight event was still in progress, and waited for the UAM, which had disappeared into the distance, to reappear.
A short while later, the UAM appeared in the distance, and the reporters began to murmur as the pilot stepped out of the aircraft.
"Isn't that a different pilot getting out?"
The pilot who stepped out of the UAM took something out from the back seat, and another pilot who stepped out from the side walked toward the event venue carrying something in both hands.
The reporters recognized the pilot who stepped out of the UAM, clicked their camera shutters, and zoomed in on the photos.
"Oh my god! That looks like Tom..."
"Tom...?"
"The lead of Mission: Impossible, I think it's really Tom."
The reporters began to murmur and started taking pictures of Tom as he approached. Tom placed the coffee and drinks he was carrying in both hands on the table and said with a cheeky attitude,
"The drinks you ordered have arrived. I don't know who ordered what, so please take them yourselves."
As soon as Tom finished speaking, the reporters immediately fired questions at him.
"Tom, what brings you here?"
"Starlink has a newly developed UAM aircraft, and they invited me because they said they didn't have a pilot for the test flight. I said there are no 'impossible missions' and volunteered, and I plan to work as a test pilot."
The reporters and attendees began to laugh at Tom's joke, and Tom turned around, saying his job was done and he was going back to the UAM. The reporters hurriedly grabbed Tom by asking questions.
"Where is the test pilot going?"
"I left the laundry running at my home in Beverly Hills, so I have to go hang it up right away."
Tom looked at Miso, who was hosting the event, and added, "When Starlink launches the UAM later, I will buy one immediately. Please put me on the waiting list."
The reporters hurriedly scribbled down the conversation with Tom, heightening interest. Tom waved his hand, boarded the UAM again, lifted the aircraft, and disappeared somewhere.
The reporters, having obtained enough photos, looked at Miso, who was hosting, and asked questions.
"Why did Tom appear at the inaugural flight event?"
"We specially invited him to show that the UAM developed by Starlink can be used for commuting and can be operated after simple flight training."
The reporters, thinking that their articles could make the front page because Tom appeared at the Starlink UAM inaugural flight event, which they hadn't expected, asked additional questions about the details.
"When will the Starlink UAM be released?"
"Once data is collected through flight tests confirming flight safety, we will immediately apply for type certification with the FAA. Once the type certificate stating that the UAM is safe is issued, we plan to start sales, focusing on those who have made reservations."
"The aircraft shape is a vectored thrust type, not a multicopter type. Is there a possibility that it will be nicknamed a 'widowmaker' like the similar V-22 Osprey aircraft?"
Since it was an expected question, Miso answered without panic.
"The V-22 Osprey is an aircraft with only two propellers, right? The Starlink 1 UAM is designed with redundant flight controls, power, and propellers. It secures flight safety through distributed electric propulsion technology, which is the basis of eVTOL, and six propellers, and is also equipped with a function that handles takeoff and landing in automated mode to minimize pilot error."
The reporter who asked the question tilted his head.
"Then does that mean all flights are possible without a pilot?"
"Technically, all flights are possible without a pilot. We haven't received FAA approval yet, so a pilot is on board to comply with safety regulations. However, autonomous flight is possible only when takeoff and landing points are designated."
"There is an opinion that the advantages of UAM compared to helicopters are still weak... What is the strength of Starlink 1?"
"When the Starlink UAM is commercialized, the fare will be 40-60% cheaper than helicopter fares, and because the noise and the space required for takeoff and landing are small, takeoff and landing are possible even at private homes. You saw Tom earlier, right? Tom piloted the UAM himself from his Beverly Hills home to get here. Of course, if a private home is not spacious, you can also use the vertiport provided by Starlink."
"Does the autonomous flight software include the artificial intelligence function used by Deepmind?"
"All core software used by Starlink is developed by Deepmind, and it is equipped with AI software. For your information, we have secured technology that allows for emergency landing even if up to 3 out of the 6 propellers fail."
During the Q&A session, the #1 aircraft that had gone out for a test flight landed around the event venue. As the real pilot stepped out, on-site workers connected the power cable to begin charging. The reporters, watching the workers, became curious about the charging system and asked questions.
"How long does it take to charge?"
"It takes 6 hours if you use the slow-charging function, and 30 minutes for rapid charging. It's faster than you'd think, right?"
"Can we try riding the Starlink 1 UAM today?"
Miso decided to have 4 selected reporters board the aircraft herself, and the reporters boarded the aircraft after signing a pledge. Reporters who could not board the UAM clicked their shutters to capture the UAM through telephoto lenses, and Miso checked the reporters' level of interest and began to wrap up the event.
In that evening's articles, it was reported that Starlink had unveiled the UAM for the first time, that it was equipped with AI-based autonomous flight software, and that Tom, the lead of Mission: Impossible, had been the first to be placed on the list of prospective buyers. People focused more on the fact that Tom had piloted the UAM himself rather than the UAM itself, but related companies sent letters of intent for investment to Starlink, expressing their desire to join in the commercialization of UAM.
Watching the pouring letters of intent for investment, Miso sought advice from Taesik, and Taesik advised her to wait a little longer, saying that they should find a company that could help with commercialization rather than just investment.
Starlink made its name known once again by launching the UAM, and Taesik and Miso handed over the U.S. operations to Director Kim Tae-hwan and boarded a flight back to Korea.