Samsung-Broadcom $200B AI Pact and Starship V3 Splashdown: Tech Pulse

Samsung Electronics and Broadcom signed a memorandum of understanding in San Francisco for a strategic partnership projected to exceed $200 billion through 2030, covering high-bandwidth memory, custom AI accelerators, and sub-2-nanometre foundry services ^[1]. The deal pairs Broadcom's custom ASIC designs—including chips for Google and Meta—with Samsung's vertically integrated manufacturing pipeline, giving Samsung a chance to challenge TSMC's foundry dominance ^[1]. Because the agreement is an MOU rather than a binding order, analysts caution the $200 billion figure is a long-term strategic projection, not secured immediate revenue ^[1].

In aerospace, SpaceX's 13th Super Heavy-Starship test flight on Friday achieved a mostly successful outcome. The Starship upper stage completed its sub-orbital hop to the Indian Ocean and, for the first time, remained fully intact after splashdown, floating on the surface with cameras still operating ^[2]. The mission also deployed 20 third-generation Starlink satellites and tested in-space engine restart capability ^[2]. However, the Super Heavy booster suffered a "hard" splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico after only 10 of 13 engines restarted, with just five running at touchdown ^[2]. A new Government Accountability Office report released Thursday flagged cryogenic fuel management and upgraded Raptor engine development as top risks for NASA's Artemis moon-landing plans ^[2].

Meanwhile, world news is dominated by escalating Middle East tensions. Iran-backed Houthis claimed a missile attack on Saudi Arabia's Jizan region early Saturday, following Saudi airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen's Hodeida port ^[3]. The exchange came after the first night in two weeks without reported US or Iranian airstrikes ^[3]. In the Strait of Hormuz, the US military said it fired on and disabled a tanker attempting to evade the American blockade on Iranian ports—the second commercial ship disabled since the blockade was reimposed ^[3]. Crude oil prices had briefly topped $100 a barrel this week on Red Sea shipping fears before falling back ^[3].