The Download: plastic's problem with fuel prices, and SpaceX's blockbuster IPO | MIT Technology Review

This is today's edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. Fuel prices are soaring. Plastic could be next.  As the war in Iran continues, one of the most visible global economic ripple effects has been fossil-fuel prices. But looking ahead, further consequences could be looming for plastics.  Plastics are made from petrochemicals, and the supply chain impacts from the conflict are starting to build up. Americans will likely feel the ripples.   Read the full story to grasp the unpredictable impacts.  —Casey Crownhart  This story is from The Spark, our weekly climate newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox every Wednesday.  The must-reads  I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.  1 SpaceX has filed for an IPO It’s set to be the largest ever, targeting a $1.75 trillion valuation. (NYT $)  + Which would make Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire. (Al Jazeera) + But the IPO could hinge on the success of Moon missions. (LA Times $) + And the conflicts of interest are staggering. (The Next Web) + Meanwhile, rivals are rising to challenge SpaceX. (MIT Technology Review)   2 Artemis II is on its way to the Moon NASA successfully launched the four astronauts on its rocket yesterday. (Axios) + The lunar plans could violate international law. (The Verge) + But the potential scientific advances are tremendous. (Nature)  + Check out ou...