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NASA spacecraft ready for voyage to the Sun on SpaceX competitor’s biggest rocket (Update)
Update: Issues with rocket and ground support hardware ran down the August 11 launch window. ULA scrubbed the attempt and has recycled the launch to August 12, 3:31 am EDT/07:31 UTC. The second attempt will again be streamed by NASA TV.
#DeltaIV Parker #SolarProbe launch is planned for Sunday, Aug. 12, from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The forecast shows a 60 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The launch time is 3:31 a.m. ET. https://t.co/IUd13yZFEx
— ULA (@ulalaunch) August 11, 2018
Teslarati photographer Tom Cross is on the ground in Cape Canaveral, Florida ahead of what will most certainly be a spectacular launch of NASA’s sun-bound Parker Solar Probe atop SpaceX competitor ULA’s (United Launch Alliance) Delta IV Heavy, the world’s second most powerful operational rocket.
https://twitter.com/_TomCross_/status/1028082435936997376
Second only to SpaceX’s recently-debuted Falcon Heavy rocket, the Delta IV Heavy (DIVH) is a massive beast of a launch vehicle made up of three single-engine boosters that produce more than 2.1 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. As a side-effect of the rocket’s liquid hydrogen and oxygen fuel choice, DIVH’s booster bodies are a solid 5 meters in diameter (40% wider than Falcon 9) to account for the fact that hydrogen is far less energy-dense than kerosene (Falcon 9’s fuel of choice).
The launch of NASA’s Parker Solar Probe (PSP) will be Delta Heavy’s 10th launch since it first debuted in 2004, giving a taste for how infrequently the rocket typically launches – averaging less than once a year. The target of Parker Solar Probe’s mission happens to be the Sun itself, more specifically the dispersed aura of plasma (superheated gas) – known as the solar corona – that surrounds it.
In pursuit of “touching the surface of the sun”, PSP will wind up becoming the fastest human-made object in history, reaching velocities upwards of 200 km/s (120 mi/s) at a distance from the sun of just 6 million km (3.7 million mi). At that unfathomable speed, Parker Solar Probe would travel from Los Angeles to Manhattan in 20 seconds.
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- Delta IV Heavy seen launching a classified NRO payload in 2013. (ULA)
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- The first stage of Parker Solar Probe’s Delta IV Heavy rocket prepares to be lifted vertical. (ULA)
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- Parker Solar Probe is encapsulated inside Delta IV Heavy’s payload fairing ahead of launch. (NASA)
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- Encapsulated in its payload fairing, Parker Solar Probe is craned atop Delta IV Heavy in a process known as vertical integration. (NASA)
That close to the sun, the temperatures PSP will be subjected to are extraordinary, thanks to the fact that sunlight will be a full 500 times more powerful than the light that reaches us humans on and around Earth. To survive temperatures as high as high as 1,377℃ (2,500°F) and keep its highly-sensitive scientific instruments and spacecraft bits at a more reasonable 29.4℃ (85°F), PSP will bring along a heat shield just big enough for the craft to hide behind.
ULA’s Delta IV Heavy is currently scheduled to launch NASA’s Parker Solar Probe from Cape Canaveral at 12:33 am PDT/3:33 am EDT/07:33 UTC. Follow along in real-time with NASA TV’s live coverage of the launch and stay tuned for photos from Teslarati photographer Tom Cross’ remote cameras.
For prompt updates, on-the-ground perspectives, and unique glimpses of SpaceX’s rocket recovery fleet (including fairing catcher Mr Steven) check out our brand new LaunchPad and LandingZone newsletters!
Tesla has extended its Bay Area ride-hailing service to include pickups and drop-offs at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The update, shared via the company’s official channels on July 21, allows users in the region to request rides directly to and from one of California’s busiest airports.
The expansion builds on Tesla’s secured limousine permit for SFO operations. Public records show the permit became effective March 20, 2026, and remains active through January 31, 2027. Tesla vehicles operating the service now display authorized limousine permits issued by the City and County of San Francisco.
Our Bay Area rideshare service now goes to SFO ✈️
— Tesla AI (@Tesla_AI) July 21, 2026
Tesla’s ride-hailing program in California relies on Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology. Human safety drivers remain present in compliance with state regulations, distinguishing the service from fully driverless operations.
The Bay Area geofence covers a broad area spanning north of San Francisco to south of San Jose, offering extensive connectivity across the region.
UPDATE: Elon Musk reveals why Tesla didn’t say ‘Robotaxi’ upon California launch
This SFO addition follows earlier progress at other Bay Area airports. Tesla previously expanded service to San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) in late 2025. The company had engaged with SFO, SJC, and Oakland International Airport officials as early as September 2025 to secure necessary approvals for passenger transport.
The service provides a new option for travelers seeking electric, app-based transportation integrated with Tesla’s ecosystem. Rides are booked through Tesla’s dedicated ride-hailing application, which handles matching, routing, and payments. Pricing follows standard ride-hailing models, with potential adjustments based on distance, time, and demand.
Tesla’s California ride-hailing program launched in July 2025 with an initial invite-only rollout in the Bay Area. It started alongside operations in Austin, Texas, marking the company’s second major U.S. market.
The Bay Area remains a primary focus in California, with service centered on high-demand corridors connecting residential, commercial, and now major transportation hubs. This latest airport integration represents a practical step in Tesla’s broader mobility ambitions within the state.
Tesla has officially revealed its 2026 Summer Update, which comes with a variety of crazy new features, including Navigation fixes that owners have been wanting for months.
Tesla routinely releases a larger update with the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter updates, where it ships a variety of new features, bug fixes, and other additions to customer cars.
The 2026 Spring Update featured things like “Hey Grok” voice assistance, a redesigned self-driving app, Unreal Engine visual upgrades, and more.
🚨 TESLA’S SUMMER UPDATE FOR 2026 IS HERE:
Featuring:
✅ Self-Driving Stats in Mobile App
✅ Caraoke with Scoring
✅ Automatic Navigation
✅ Preferred Routes
✅ Set Arrival Energy from Mobile App
✅ Send Custom Wraps from Mobile App
✅ Rear Display Lock
✅ Other Improvements
🔌… https://t.co/C9IW3egEhH— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) July 21, 2026
Tesla’s Summer Release has about ten new features; we’ll show you each and detail them below:
New Grok Voice Commands
“Grok can now make phone calls, search and play music, adjust climate, open the glovebox, and answer questions about your Tesla.”
Self-Driving Stats in Mobile App
“View and share self-driving stats from the mobile app.”
Caraoke With Scoring
“Caraoke now scores your singing while in Park. High scores are saved to your Tesla profile.”
Automatic Navigation
“Automatic Navigation now adapts to your routine.
In addition to Home, Work, and upcoming calendar events, your vehicle can now suggest and route to places you visit regularly – like a school drop-off on the way to work, or the gym on the way home.”
Preferred Routes
“For a more personalized experience, navigation now prioritizes routes that you’ve taken before”
Set Arrival Energy from Mobile App
“Set your desired Arrival Energy from your phone.”
Send Custom Wraps from Mobile App
“Skip the USB drive and upload a custom wrap of your car from the mobile app. Instructions for creating a custom wrap here: https://github.com/teslamotors/custom-wraps.”
Rear Display Lock
“Kids can watch content on the rear screen, but only the front row can control it through the rear screen app.”
Other Improvements
- Find Superchargers by name when searching for a destination
- Add Apple Music songs to queue from search and artist page
- Set your preferred zoom level for the Self-Driving visualization
- Intro animations for new Model 3 and Y
Tesla’s reason for Starlink integration on Cybercab might surprise you, as the company’s Head of AI, Ashok Elluswamy, finally shed some light on the reason they are putting a satellite internet terminal on its ride-hailing-geared vehicle.
On Monday, Tesla officially confirmed that it would integrate Starlink V5 terminals into Cybercab vehicles, something many Tesla fans had figured the company would do, as the vehicle is primarily geared toward giving rides without any passenger intervention.
Starlink V5 directly integrated in Cybercab pic.twitter.com/FxzTtzjB6I
— Tesla (@Tesla) July 20, 2026
The ability to access the internet would allow riders to work or play in the car with their devices. It seemed like a more-than-reasonable feature to add to the Cybercab, which made its way off the production lines for the first time earlier this year.
Tesla reveals first vehicle model to receive Starlink integration
However, the move is not for the rider, as Elluswamy confirmed on Monday night. Instead, it’s actually for Tesla to be able to have a constant connection to the cars in the Robotaxi fleet so it can troubleshoot issues, contact riders, or resolve other issues.
Elluswamy said:
“It is still not required for safe operation of the vehicle. Connectivity is primarily meant for navigation, customer service and, in general, fleet management.”
It is still not required for safe operation of the vehicle. Connectivity is primarily meant for navigation, customer service and, in general, fleet management.
— Ashok Elluswamy (@aelluswamy) July 20, 2026
Many initially assumed the option of constant connectivity would be enabled on the Cybercab for passenger entertainment or work. With the Cybercab, passengers won’t be doing anything but enjoying the ride, so it seemed more than logical that they would be hanging out with Starlink internet access as an amenity.
However, Tesla’s primary concern with Robotaxi is safety, and nailing these first unsupervised rides is a crucial step to setting a good narrative on how effective driverless transportation can be.
Being able to get in touch with passengers or a vehicle if something is wrong is a crucial part of the overall experience, and preventative measures are being taken by Tesla to ensure a smooth process, even in the worst-case.
Tesla expands ridesharing service in California to new hotspot
Tesla reveals 2026 Summer Update with crazy fixes to Nav and more
