News
Rocket Lab’s 12th Electron mission “Don’t Stop Me Now” ready for launch
During the height of the global coronavirus pandemic, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance (ULA) missions from Florida were deemed “critical infrastructure” by the US federal government. This allowed the launchers to create safe working environments supporting rocket production and steady launch cadences. However, the nation’s most prominent launcher of smallsats, Rocket Lab, headquartered in Long Beach, California took a different approach halting all production and launch related operations. Although headquartered in the US, Rocket Lab manufactures its Electron rocket in Auckland, New Zealand, and launches from its Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula.
Soon after the New Zealand government initiated a strict nationwide Level 4 lockdown requiring all residents, except essential workers, to remain at home on March 23rd, Rocket Lab stood down from operational missions. Unlike in the United States, the launching and production of rockets were not deemed critical in New Zealand and could not proceed. The lockdown went into place just five days ahead of the company’s scheduled twelfth launch of Electron on March 30th. Rocket Lab announced that the “Don’t Stop Me Now” launch (named in honor of a Rocket Lab board member that recently passed away) would be postponed but did not announce a new launch date as, at the time, it was unknown just how long the nationwide Level 4 lockdown would last.
In early May, Rocket Lab was allowed to return to operational status as pandemic restrictions began to lift in New Zealand. Company founder and chief executive officer, Peter Beck, announced on Twitter that the Electron rocket had returned to LC-1 to complete a wet dress rehearsal (WDR) ahead of announcing a new targeted launch date. Rocket Lab then confirmed that all WDR objectives had been successfully met and the twelfth Electron mission would be proceeding to a targeted launch date in early June.
That's a perfect wet dress rehearsal done and dusted for our 12th Electron mission! We're excited to be back on the pad and launching soon for @NatReconOfc, @NASA, and UNSW Canberra Space. Stay tuned for launch window dates soon! pic.twitter.com/o8oM4fe5jO— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) May 7, 2020
Rocket Lab was quick to return to launch procedures as the Electron vehicle and LC-1 remained in “a state of readiness throughout the COVID-19 lockdown.” In a statement issued soon after the successful WDR, the company assured that “enhanced health and safety processes will be implemented for this launch in line with government health advice to protect Rocket Lab personnel. These measures include physical distancing, split shifts, maintaining contact tracing registers, and enhanced cleaning procedures.”
pic.twitter.com/N9x9saYPEe— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) June 9, 2020
-->The twelfth “Don’t Stop Me Now” Electron mission is designated as a rideshare which will carry multiple smallsat payloads to orbit for NASA, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra Space. Electron’s Kick Stage propelled by the 3D-printed Curie engine will deliver the ANDESITE (Ad-Hoc Network Demonstration for Extended Satellite-Based Inquiry and Other Team Endeavors) spacecraft developed by teams at Boston University under NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI). It will use a series of minisatellites to measure the electrical currents of the Earth’s magnetic field from low Earth orbit. The payload carried for the NRO, Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) contract vehicle, follows a previously NRO-dedicated mission launched in January 2020. Finally, the twelfth launch of the Electron will also support the M2 Pathfinder (M2PF) communications satellite to low Earth orbit UNSW Canberra Space.
The next mission from #UNSWCBR Space, M2 Pathfinder, is launching on @RocketLab's Mission 12 “Don’t Stop Me Now” on June 11.
M2PF is a significant next step in flight heritage for our program of developing intelligent space systems and the development of Australian capability. pic.twitter.com/dseWRUzhzP— UNSW Canberra (@UNSWCanberra) May 29, 2020
“Don’t Stop Me Now” has a fourteen day launch widow extending from June 11th to June 24th with a daily launch opportunity during a two-hour window 04:43 – 06:32 UTC (00:43 – 02:32 EDT). The Rocket Lab team is currently counting down to the first launch attempt scheduled for Thursday, June 11th at the top of the window at 04:43UTC (00:43 EDT) from LC-1 in Mahia, New Zealand. Fifteen minutes ahead of the launch attempt, a live stream will be posted to Rocket Lab’s social media accounts and made available on the company’s website: www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream.
Check out Teslarati’s newsletters for prompt updates, on-the-ground perspectives, and unique glimpses of SpaceX’s rocket launch and recovery processes.
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News
Tesla’s new Holiday perk is timed perfectly to make FSD a household name
Tesla AI4 owners get FSD (Supervised) through Christmas, New Year’s Eve and well into the post-holiday travel season.
Tesla quietly rolled out a free Full Self-Driving (Supervised) trial for roughly 1.5 million HW4 owners in North America who never bought the package, and the timing could very well be genius.
As it turns out, the trial doesn’t end after 30 days. Instead, it expires January 8, 2026, meaning owners get FSD (Supervised) through Christmas, New Year’s Eve and well into the post-holiday travel season. This extended window positions the feature for maximum word-of-mouth exposure.
A clever holiday gift
Tesla watcher Sawyer Merritt first spotted the detail after multiple owners shared screenshots showing the trial expiring on January 8. He confirmed with affected users that none had active FSD subscriptions before the rollout. He also observed that Tesla never called the promotion a “30-day trial,” as the in-car message simply reads “You’re Getting FSD (Supervised) For the Holidays,” which technically runs until after the new year.
The roughly 40-day period covers peak family travel and gatherings, giving owners ample opportunity to showcase the latest FSD V14’s capabilities on highway trips, crowded parking lots and neighborhood drives. With relatives riding along, hands-off highway driving and automatic lane changes could become instant conversation starters.
Rave reviews for FSD V14 highlight demo potential
FSD has been receiving positive reviews from users as of late. Following the release of FSD v14.2.1, numerous owners praised the update for its smoothness and reliability. Tesla owner @LactoseLunatic called it a “huge leap forward from version 14.1.4,” praising extreme smoothness, snappy lane changes and assertive yet safe behavior that allows relaxed monitoring.
-->Another Tesla owner, @DevinOlsenn, drove 600 km without disengagements, noting his wife now defaults to FSD for daily use due to its refined feel. Sawyer Merritt also tested FSD V14.2.1 in snow on unplowed New Hampshire roads, and the system stayed extra cautious without hesitation. Longtime FSD tester Chuck Cook highlighted improved sign recognition in school zones, showing better dynamic awareness. These reports of fewer interventions and a more “sentient” drive could turn family passengers into advocates, fueling subscriptions come January.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk predicts AI and robotics could make work “optional” within 20 years
Speaking on entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath’s podcast, Musk predicted that machines will soon handle most forms of labor, leaving humans to work only if they choose to.
Elon Musk stated that rapid advances in artificial intelligence and robotics could make traditional work unnecessary within two decades.
Speaking on entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath’s podcast, Musk predicted that machines will soon handle most forms of labor, leaving humans to work only if they choose to.
Work as a “hobby”
During the discussion, Musk said the accelerating capability of AI systems and general-purpose robots will eventually cover all essential tasks, making human labor a choice rather than an economic requirement. “In less than 20 years, working will be optional. Working at all will be optional. Like a hobby,” Musk said.
When Kamath asked whether this future is driven by massive productivity growth, Musk agreed, noting that people will still be free to work if they enjoy the routine or the challenge. He compared future employment to home gardening, as it is something people can still do for personal satisfaction even if buying food from a store is far easier.
“Optional” work in the future
Elon Musk acknowledged the boldness of his claim and joked that people might look back in 20 years and say he was wrong. That being said, the CEO noted that such a scenario could even happen sooner than his prediction, at least if one were to consider the pace of the advancements in AI and robotics.
-->“Obviously people can play this back in 20 years and say, ‘Look, Elon made this ridiculous prediction and it’s not true,’ but I think it will turn out to be true, that in less than 20 years, maybe even as little as ten or 15 years, the advancements in AI and robotics will bring us to the point where working is optional,” Musk said.
Elon Musk’s comments echo his previous sentiments at Tesla’s 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting, where he noted that Optimus could ultimately eliminate poverty. He also noted that robots like Optimus could eventually provide people worldwide with the best medical care.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk reiterates why Tesla will never make an electric motorcycle
Tesla CEO Elon Musk preemptively shut down speculations about a Tesla road bike once more.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk preemptively shut down speculations about a Tesla road bike once more, highlighting that the electric vehicle maker has no plans to enter the electric motorcycle market.
Musk posted his clarification in a post on X.
Musk’s reply to a fun AI video
X user @Moandbhr posted an AI video featuring the Tesla CEO on the social media platform, captioning it with “Mr. Elon Musk Just Revealed the Game-Changing Tesla Motorcycle.” The short clip depicted Musk approaching a sleek, single-wheeled vehicle, stepping onto it, and gliding off into the distance amid cheers. The fun video received a lot of traction on X, gaining 3.1 million views as of writing.
Musk replied to the post, stating that a Tesla motorcycle is not going to happen. “Never happening, as we can’t make motorcycles safe. For Community Notes, my near death experience was on a road bike. Dirt bikes are safe if you ride carefully, as you can’t be smashed by a truck,” Musk wrote in his reply.
Musk’s Past Comments on Two-Wheelers
Musk also detailed his reservations about motorcycles in a December 2019 X post while responding to questions about Tesla’s potential ATV. At the time, he responded positively to an electric ATV, though he also opposed the idea of a Tesla road-going motorcycle. Musk did state that electric dirt bikes might be cool, since they do not operate in areas where large vehicles like Class 8 trucks are present.
-->“Electric dirt bikes would be cool too. We won’t do road bikes, as too dangerous. I was hit by a truck & almost died on one when I was 17,” Musk wrote in his post.
Considering Musk’s comments about dirt bikes, however, perhaps Tesla would eventually offer a road bike as a recreational vehicle. Such a two-wheeler would be a good fit for the Cybertruck, as well as future products like the Robovan, which could be converted into an RV.
Tesla’s new Holiday perk is timed perfectly to make FSD a household name
Elon Musk predicts AI and robotics could make work “optional” within 20 years
