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)
- As Falcon 9 rises out of Earth’s atmosphere, its exhaust expands. (Tom Cross)
- Falcon 9 races to orbit. (Tom Cross)
- As the rocket gains speed, it tips over to reach orbital velocity. (Tom Cross)
- Falcon 9 nears main engine cutoff (MECO) and stage separation. (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)
Cybertruck
Tesla Cybertruck’s newest trim will undergo massive change in ten days, Musk says
It appears as if the new All-Wheel-Drive trim of Cybertruck won’t be around for too long, however. Elon Musk revealed this morning that it will be around “only for the next 10 days.”
Tesla’s new Cybertruck trim has already gotten the axe from CEO Elon Musk, who said the All-Wheel-Drive configuration of the all-electric pickup will only be available “for the next ten days.”
Musk could mean the price, which is $59,990, or the availability of the trim altogether.
Last night, Tesla launched the All-Wheel-Drive configuration of the Cybertruck, a pickup that comes in at less than $60,000 and features a competitive range and features that are not far off from the offerings of the premium trim.
Tesla launches new Cybertruck trim with more features than ever for a low price
It was a nice surprise from Tesla, considering that last year, it offered a Rear-Wheel-Drive trim of the Cybertruck that only lasted a few months. It had extremely underwhelming demand because it was only $10,000 cheaper than the next trim level up, and it was missing a significant number of premium features.
Simply put, it was not worth the money. Tesla killed the RWD Cybertruck just a few months after offering it.
With the news that Tesla was offering this All-Wheel-Drive configuration of the Cybertruck, many fans and consumers were encouraged. The Cybertruck has been an underwhelming seller, and this seemed to be a lot of truck for the price when looking at its features:
- Dual Motor AWD w/ est. 325 mi of range
- Powered tonneau cover
- Bed outlets (2x 120V + 1x 240V) & Powershare capability
- Coil springs w/ adaptive damping
- Heated first-row seats w/ textile material that is easy to clean
- Steer-by-wire & Four Wheel Steering
- 6’ x 4’ composite bed
- Towing capacity of up to 7,500 lbs
- Powered frunk
It appears as if this trim of Cybertruck won’t be around for too long, however. Musk revealed this morning that it will be around “only for the next 10 days.”
Only for the next 10 days https://t.co/82JnvZQGh2
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 20, 2026
Musk could mean the price of the truck and not necessarily the ability to order it. However, most are taking it as a cancellation.
If it is, in fact, a short-term availability decision, it is baffling, especially as Tesla fans and analysts claim that metrics like quarterly deliveries are no longer important. This seems like a way to boost sales short-term, and if so many people are encouraged about this offering, why would it be kept around for such a short period of time?
Some are even considering the potential that Tesla axes the Cybertruck program as a whole. Although Musk said during the recent Q4 Earnings Call that Cybertruck would still be produced, the end of the Model S and Model X programs indicates Tesla might be prepared to do away with any low-volume vehicles that do not contribute to the company’s future visions of autonomy.
The decision to axe the car just ten days after making it available seems like a true head-scratcher.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s Neuralink sparks BCI race in China
One of the most prominent is NeuroXess, which launched in 2021 and is already testing implants in patients.
Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, is helping spark a surge of brain-computer interface (BCI) development in China, where startups are moving quickly into human trials with strong state backing.
One of the most prominent is NeuroXess, which launched in 2021 and is already testing implants in patients.
Neuralink’s clinical work and public demonstrations have drawn worldwide attention to invasive brain implants that allow patients to control digital devices using their minds. The company is currently running a global clinical trial and is also busy preparing for its next product, Blindsight, which would restore vision to people with visual impairments.
Neuralink’s visibility has helped accelerate similar efforts in China. Beijing last year classified brain-computer interfaces as a strategic sector and issued a roadmap calling for two or three globally competitive companies by 2030, as per the Financial Times. Since February last year, at least 10 clinical trials for invasive brain chips have launched in the country.
NeuroXess recently reported that a paralyzed patient was able to control a computer cursor within five days of implantation. Founder Tiger Tao credited government support for helping shorten the path from research to trials.
Investment activity has followed the policy push. Industry data show dozens of financing rounds for Chinese BCI startups over the past year, reflecting rising capital interest in the field. Ultimately, while Neuralink remains one of the most closely watched players globally, its momentum has clearly energized competitors abroad.
News
Tesla Supercharger vandalized with frozen cables and anti-Musk imagery amid Sweden union dispute
The incident comes amid Tesla’s ongoing labor dispute with IF Metall.
Tesla’s Supercharger site in Vansbro, Sweden, was vandalized during peak winter travel weeks. Images shared to local media showed frozen charging cables and a banner reading “Go home Elon,” which was complete with a graphic of Musk’s controversial gesture.
The incident comes amid Tesla’s ongoing labor dispute with IF Metall, which has been striking against the company for more than two years over collective bargaining agreements, as noted in a report from Expressen.
Local resident Stefan Jakobsson said he arrived at the Vansbro charging station to find a board criticizing Elon Musk and accusing Tesla of strikebreaking. He also found the charging cables frozen after someone seemingly poured water over them.
“I laughed a little and it was pretty nicely drawn. But it was a bit unnecessary,” Jakobsson said. “They don’t have to do vandalism because they’re angry at Elon Musk.”
The site has seen heavy traffic during Sweden’s winter sports holidays, with travelers heading toward Sälen and other mountain destinations. Jakobsson said long lines formed last weekend, with roughly 50 Teslas and other EVs waiting to charge.
Tesla Superchargers in Sweden are typically open to other electric vehicle brands, making them a reliable option for all EV owners.
Tesla installed a generator at the location after sympathy strikes from other unions disrupted power supply to some stations. The generator itself was reportedly not working on the morning of the incident, though it is unclear whether that was connected to the protest.
The dispute between Tesla and IF Metall centers on the company’s refusal to sign a collective agreement covering Swedish workers. The strike has drawn support from other unions, including Seko, which has taken steps affecting electricity supply to certain Tesla facilities. Tesla Sweden, for its part, has insisted that its workers are already fairly compensated and it does not need a collective agreement,
Jesper Pettersson, press spokesperson for IF Metall, criticized Tesla’s use of generators to keep charging stations running. Still, IF Metall emphasized that it strongly distances itself from the vandalism incident at the Vansbro Supercharger.
“We think it is remarkable that instead of taking the easy route and signing a collective agreement for our members, they are choosing to use every possible means to get around the strike,” Pettersson said.



















