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.
Elon Musk
Rumored SpaceX-xAI merger gets apparent confirmation from Elon Musk
The comment follows reports that the rocket maker is weighing a transaction that could further consolidate Musk’s space and AI ventures.
Elon Musk appeared to confirm reports that SpaceX is exploring a potential merger with artificial intelligence startup xAI by responding positively to a post about the reported transaction on X.
Musk’s comment follows reports that the rocket maker is weighing a transaction that could further consolidate his space and AI ventures.
SpaceX xAI merger
As per a recent Reuters report, SpaceX has held discussions about merging with xAI, with the proposed structure potentially involving an exchange of xAI shares for SpaceX stock. The value, structure, and timing of any deal have not been finalized, and no agreement has been signed.
Musk appeared to acknowledge the report in a brief reply on X, responding “Yeah” to a post that described SpaceX as a future “Dyson Swarm company.” The comment references a Dyson Swarm, a sci-fi megastructure concept that consists of a massive network of satellites or structures that orbit a celestial body to harness its energy.
Reuters noted that two entities were formed in Nevada on January 21 to facilitate a potential transaction for the possible SpaceX-xAI merger. The discussions remain ongoing, and a transaction is not yet guaranteed, however.
AI and space infrastructure
A potential merger with xAI would align with Musk’s stated strategy of integrating artificial intelligence development with space-based systems. Musk has previously said that space-based infrastructure could support large-scale computing by leveraging continuous solar energy, an approach he has framed as economically scalable over time.
xAI already has operational ties to Musk’s other companies. The startup develops Grok, a large language model that holds a U.S. Department of Defense contract valued at up to $200 million. AI also plays a central role in SpaceX’s Starlink and Starshield satellite programs, which rely on automation and machine learning for network management and national security applications.
Musk has previously consolidated his businesses through share-based transactions, including Tesla’s acquisition of SolarCity in 2016 and xAI’s acquisition of X last year. Bloomberg has also claimed that Musk is considering a merger between SpaceX and Tesla in the future.
Tesla analyst Gary Black of The Future Fund claims that the company is making a big mistake getting rid of the Model S and Model X. Instead, he believes another vehicle within the company’s lineup should be discontinued: the Cybertruck.
Black divested The Future Fund from all Tesla holdings last year, but he still covers the stock as an analyst as it falls in the technology and autonomy sectors, which he covers.
In a new comment on Thursday, Black said the Cybertruck should be the vehicle Tesla gets rid of due to the negatives it has drawn to the company.
The Cybertruck is also selling in an underwhelming fashion considering the production capacity Tesla has set aside for it. It’s worth noting it is still the best-selling electric pickup on the market, and it has outlasted other EV truck projects as other manufacturers are receding their efforts.
Black said:
“IMHO it’s a mistake to keep Tesla Cybertruck which has negative brand equity and sold 10,000 units last year, and discontinue S/X which have strong repeat brand loyalty and together sold 30K units and are highly profitable. Why not discontinue CT and covert S/X to be fully autonomous?”
IMHO it’s a mistake to keep $TSLA Cybertruck which has negative brand equity and sold 10,000 units last year, and discontinue S/X which have strong repeat brand loyalty and together sold 30K units and are highly profitable. Why not discontinue CT and covert S/X to be fully…
— Gary Black (@garyblack00) January 29, 2026
On Wednesday, CEO Elon Musk confirmed that Tesla planned to transition Model S and Model X production lines at the Fremont Factory to handle manufacturing efforts of the Optimus Gen 3 robot.
Musk said that it was time to wind down the S and X programs “with an honorable discharge,” also noting that the two cars are not major contributors to Tesla’s mission any longer, as its automotive division is more focused on autonomy, which will be handled by Model 3, Model Y, and Cybercab.
Tesla begins Cybertruck deliveries in a new region for the first time
The news has drawn conflicting perspectives, with many Tesla fans upset about the decision, especially as it ends the production of the largest car in the company’s lineup. Tesla’s focus is on smaller ride-sharing vehicles, especially as the vast majority of rides consist of two or fewer passengers.
The S and X do not fit in these plans.
Nevertheless, the Cybertruck fits in Tesla’s future plans. Musk said the pickup will be needed for the transportation of local goods. Musk also said Cybertruck would be transitioned to an autonomous line.
In a groundbreaking new report from Reuters, SpaceX is reportedly discussing merger possibilities with xAI ahead of the space exploration company’s plans to IPO later this year, in what would be a blockbuster move.
The outlet said it would combine rockets and Starlink satellites, as well as the X social media platform and AI project Grok under one roof. The report cites “a person briefed on the matter and two recent company filings seen by Reuters.”
Musk, nor SpaceX or xAI, have commented on the report, so, as of now, it is unconfirmed.
With that being said, the proposed merger would bring shares of xAI in exchange for shares of SpaceX. Both companies were registered in Nevada to expedite the transaction, according to the report.
On January 21, both entities were registered in Nevada. The report continues:
“One of them, a limited liability company, lists SpaceX and Bret Johnsen, the company’s chief financial officer, as managing members, while the other lists Johnsen as the company’s only officer, the filings show.”
The source also stated that some xAI executives could be given the option to receive cash in lieu of SpaceX stock. No agreement has been reached, nothing has been signed, and the timing and structure, as well as other important details, have not been finalized.
SpaceX is valued at $800 billion and is the most valuable privately held company, while xAI is valued at $230 billion as of November. SpaceX could be going public later this year, as Musk has said as recently as December that the company would offer its stock publicly.
The plans could help move along plans for large-scale data centers in space, something Musk has discussed on several occasions over the past few months.
At the World Economic Forum last week, Musk said:
“It’s a no-brainer for building solar-powered AI data centers in space, because as I mentioned, it’s also very cold in space. The net effect is that the lowest cost place to put AI will be space and that will be true within two to three years, three at the latest.”
He also said on X that “the most important thing in the next 3-4 years is data centers in space.”
If the report is true and the two companies end up coming together, it would not be the first time Musk’s companies have ended up coming together. He used Tesla stock to purchase SolarCity back in 2016. Last year, X became part of xAI in a share swap.
Rumored SpaceX-xAI merger gets apparent confirmation from Elon Musk
Tesla analyst claims another vehicle, not Model S and X, should be discontinued
