News
A flight-proven SpaceX launch and landing, in pictures
After a series of frustrating but predictable delays, SpaceX has returned its newly-refurbished Launch Complex 40 to active duty with the successful launch of a reused Falcon 9 booster, itself carrying a refurbished Cargo Dragon spacecraft now headed to the International Space Station for its second time.
Clear, sapphire skies greeted Falcon 9 and Dragon earlier this morning as they were at last prepped for launch, this time a very brief window of opportunity on Friday morning. Impressively, despite the fact that LC-40 is essentially a new launch pad, its first launch attempt went off without a hitch – even the slightest delay would have scrubbed the launch of CRS-13 to late December. SpaceX has thus continued to demonstrate its ability to move incredibly quickly while still accomplishing the tasks at hand: the company effectively constructed and upgraded an entirely-new launch facility in less than ten months, a staggering achievement by any comparison.
For this launch, Teslarati’s photographer Tom Cross was on hand to document it, and he weathered the numerous delays and cancellations of launch opportunities and photo ops over the last week. Arguably, his patience paid off and we have some exceptional photos of CRS-13, SpaceX’s 17th successful launch of 2017 and 20th successful landing of a Falcon 9 overall. While we await the status of Tom’s remotely placed cameras, tragically destroyed by Falcon 9’s intense exhaust, Tom was still present on top of the massive Vehicle Assembly Building and was able to take a number of amazing photos of the launch.
- A reused Falcon 9 clears the lightning towers of Florida’s Launch Complex-40 (LC-40). (Tom Cross)
- Falcon 9 nears main engine cutoff (MECO) and stage separation. (Tom Cross)
- Falcon 9 races to orbit. (Tom Cross)
- As Falcon 9 rises out of Earth’s atmosphere, its exhaust expands. (Tom Cross)
- As the rocket gains speed, it tips over to reach orbital velocity. (Tom Cross)
After Falcon 9’s second stage separated and continued on towards orbit with Dragon, booster 1035 immediately flipped around and headed back towards Cape Canaveral and Landing Zone-1 for its second-ever recovery. Stationed on top of the VAB, Tom captured this event all the way from boostback burn to landing.
- Booster 1035 completes its first boostback burn on the fringes of Earth’s atmosphere. (Tom Cross)
- After the first burn completes, Falcon 9 barrels through hypersonic and transonic regimes of flight. (Tom Cross)
- The final burn begins. (Tom Cross)
With the first boostback burn complete, Falcon 9 is placed on a landing trajectory. Finally, 1035 begins its last landing burn, the booster’s legs deploy, and as SpaceX would say, “Falcon 9 has landed.”
- Legs deploy…
- Falcon 9 approaches the pad…
- Almost there!
- And finally, Falcon 9’s Merlin 1D landing engine shuts off, completing the landing. (Tom Cross)
All things considered, this mission was an amazing success for SpaceX: not only does it symbolize NASA’s acceptance of SpaceX’s reuse procedures, but the launch is arguably the first time that a reused spacecraft has launched aboard the reused first stage of a rocket, a truly historic accomplishment for SpaceX along the path towards fully reusable access to orbit.
Up next on the busy rocket company’s docket is the fourth launch of Iridium satellites, currently scheduled to lift off just a week from today, December 22. Rather mind-bogglingly, Iridium-4 will also fly aboard a reused Falcon 9, this time the booster that launched the Iridium-2 mission in June 2017. In the meantime, SpaceX has announced the opening of media accreditation for Falcon Heavy’s January 2018 inaugural launch, which Tom Cross will no doubt be attending and photographing.
- RIP Tom’s cameras 🙁 (Tom Cross)
- Tom Cross at the Cape! (Brady Kenningston)
- A panorama of SpaceX’s newly-reactivated Launch Complex 40. Falcon 9 and Dragon can be seen in the center. (Tom Cross/Teslarati)
- A December 2017 panorama of SpaceX’s LC-40 facilities, CRS-13’s Cargo Dragon and Falcon 9. (Tom Cross/Teslarati)
- Falcon 9 readying for launch at LC-40. (Tom Cross)
- Sooty Falcon 9 1035 before its second flight with an also-reused Dragon payload, CRS-13. (Tom Cross/Teslarati)
News
Tesla opens Supercharging Network to other EVs in new country
Tesla’s Supercharging infrastructure is the most robust in the world, and it has done a wonderful job of keeping things up and running for the millions of owners out there. As it expanded access to non-Tesla EVs a couple years back, it has still managed to keep things pretty steady, although the need for more charging is apparent.
Tesla has started opening its Supercharging Network, which is the most expansive in the world, to other EVs in a new country for the first time.
After expanding its Supercharging offerings to other car companies in the United States a few years ago, Tesla is still making the move in other markets, as it aims to make EV ownership easier for everyone, regardless of what manufacturer a consumer chose to purchase from.
Tesla’s Supercharging infrastructure is the most robust in the world, and it has done a wonderful job of keeping things up and running for the millions of owners out there. As it expanded access to non-Tesla EVs a couple years back, it has still managed to keep things pretty steady, although the need for more charging is apparent.
Tesla just added a cool new feature for leaving your charger at home or even leaving the Supercharger pic.twitter.com/iw0SDrWuX6
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) March 10, 2026
Now, Tesla is expanding access to the Supercharger Network to non-Tesla EVs in Malaysia. The automaker just opened up a charging stie at the Pavilion KL Mall in Kuala Lumpur to non-Tesla owners, giving them eight additional Superchargers to utilize with a charging speed of up to 250 kW.
Tesla is also opening up the four-Supercharger site in Shah Alam, a four-Supercharger site at the IOI City Mall, and a six-Supercharger site in Gamuda Cove Township.
Electrive first reported the opening of these Superchargers in Malaysia.
The initiative from Tesla helps make EV ownership much simpler for those who only have access to third-party charging solutions or at-home charging. While at-home charging is the most advantageous, it is not an end-all solution as every driver will eventually need to grab some range on the road.
Tesla has been offering its Superchargers to non-Tesla EVs in the United States since 2024, as Ford became the first company to gain access to the massive network early that year when CEO Elon Musk and Ford frontman Jim Farley announced it together. Since then, Tesla has offered its chargers to nearly every EV maker, as companies like Rivian and Lucid, and even legacy car companies like General Motors have gained access.
It’s best for everyone to have the ability to use Tesla Superchargers, but there are of course some growing pains.
Charging cables are built to cater to Tesla owners, so pull-in Superchargers are most advantageous for non-Tesla EVs currently, but the company’s V4 Superchargers, which are not as plentiful in the U.S. quite yet, do enable easier reach for those vehicles.
News
Tesla Semi expands pilot program to Texas logistics firm: here’s what they said
Mone said the Tesla Semi it put into its fleet for this test recorded 1.64 kWh per mile efficiency, beating Tesla’s official 1.7 kWh per mile target and delivering a massive leap over conventional diesel trucks.
Tesla has expanded its Semi pilot program to a new region, as it has made it to Texas to be tested by logistics from Mone Transport. With the Semi entering production this year, Tesla is getting even more valuable data regarding the vehicle and its efficiency, which will help companies cut expenditures.
Mone Transport operates in Texas and on the Southern border, and it specializes in cross-border U.S.-Mexico freight operations. After completing some rigorous testing, Mone shared public results, which stand out when compared to efficiency metrics offered by diesel vehicles.
“Mone Transport recently had the opportunity to put the Tesla Semi to the test, and we’re thrilled with the results! Over 4,700 miles of operations at 1.64 kWh/mile in our Texas operation. We’re committed to providing zero-emission transportation to our customers!” the company said in a post on X.
🚨 Mone Transport just recorded an extremely impressive Tesla Semi test:
1.64 kWh per mile over 4,700 miles! https://t.co/xwS2dDeomP pic.twitter.com/oLZHoQgXsu
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) March 10, 2026
Mone said the Tesla Semi it put into its fleet for this test recorded 1.64 kWh per mile efficiency, beating Tesla’s official 1.7 kWh per mile target and delivering a massive leap over conventional diesel trucks.
Comparable Class 8 diesel semis, typically achieving 6-7 miles per gallon, consume roughly 5.5 kWh per mile in energy-equivalent terms, meaning the Semi uses three to four times less energy while also producing zero tailpipe emissions.
Tesla Semi undergoes major redesign as dedicated factory preps for deliveries
The performance of the Tesla Semi in Mone Transport’s testing aligns with data from other participants in the pilot program. ArcBest’s ABF Freight Division logged 4,494 miles over three weeks in 2025, averaging 1.55 kWh per mile across varied routes, including a grueling 7,200-foot Donner Pass climb. The truck “generally matched the performance of its diesel counterparts,” the carrier said.
PepsiCo, which operates the largest known Semi fleet, recorded 1.7 kWh per mile in North American Council for Freight Efficiency testing. Additional pilots showed similar gains: DHL hit 1.72 kWh per mile, and Saia achieved 1.73 kWh per mile.
These metrics underscore the Semi’s ability to slash operating costs through superior efficiency, lower maintenance, and zero-emission operation. As charging infrastructure scales and production ramps toward 2026 targets, participants like Mone Transport are proving electric semis can seamlessly integrate into freight networks, accelerating the industry’s shift to sustainable, high-performance trucking.
Tesla continues to prep for a more widespread presence of the Semi in the coming months as it recently launched the first public Semi Megacharger site in Los Angeles. It is working on building out infrastructure for regional runs on the West Coast initially, with plans to expand this to the other end of the country in the coming years.
Elon Musk
SpaceX weighs Nasdaq listing as company explores early index entry: report
The company is reportedly seeking early inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 index.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is reportedly leaning toward listing its shares on the Nasdaq for a potential initial public offering (IPO) that could become the largest in history.
As per a recent report, the company is reportedly seeking early inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 index. The update was reported by Reuters, citing people familiar with the matter.
According to the publication, SpaceX is considering Nasdaq as the venue for its eventual IPO, though the New York Stock Exchange is also competing for the listing. Neither exchange has reportedly been informed of a final decision.
Reuters has previously reported that SpaceX could pursue an IPO as early as June, though the company’s plans could still change.
One of the publication’s sources also suggested that SpaceX is targeting a valuation of about $1.75 trillion for its IPO. At that level, the company would rank among the largest publicly traded firms in the United States by market capitalization.
Nasdaq has proposed a rule change that could accelerate the inclusion of newly listed megacap companies into the Nasdaq-100 index.
Under the proposed “Fast Entry” rule, a newly listed company could qualify for the index in less than a month if its market capitalization ranks among the top 40 companies already included in the Nasdaq-100.
If SpaceX is successful in achieving its target valuation of $1.75 trillion, it would become the sixth-largest company by market value in the United States, at least based on recent share prices.
Newly listed companies typically have to wait up to a year before becoming eligible for major indexes such as the Nasdaq-100 or S&P 500.
Inclusion in a major index can significantly broaden a company’s shareholder base because many institutional investors purchase shares through index-tracking funds.
According to Reuters, Nasdaq’s proposed fast-track rule is partly intended to attract highly valued private companies such as SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic to list on the exchange.



















