News
Rocket Lab launches 7 satellites, recovers first stage booster
The ‘Baby Come Back’ mission successfully lifted off from Launch Complex 1B on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand at 01:27 UTC, sending seven payloads into a Sun-Synchronous Orbit.
Following the launch, the rocket headed on a Southerly trajectory, and, approximately two and a half minutes into flight, the first and second stages separated, as the second stage continued on to orbit, the first used its reaction control thrusters to orient itself to survive the intense heating that occurs during atmospheric reentry where the first stage reaches speeds up to 8 times the speed of sound.
Successful Launch? ✅
Payloads deployed for @NASA, @SpireGlobal, & @SFL_SmallerSats? ✅
Electron booster successfully recovered? ✅
We call that MISSION SUCCESS for Electron’s 39th launch! pic.twitter.com/Fs44BS5sES
— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) July 18, 2023
After speeding through the atmosphere, the first stage deployed a drogue chute to begin the deceleration of the first stage before deploying the main parachute. Splashdown occurred around 17 minutes after launch, according to the company’s webcast.
This first stage featured a number of improvements over past recovered first stages, including better sealing to keep seawater out of critical areas around the interstage and engine areas. The parachute system was also upgraded and is lighter than previous missions, which helps with buoyancy in the ocean.
Rocket Lab announces next launch, will attempt first stage recovery
This was also the first time Rocket Lab hoisted the rocket out of the water with two lift point crane system, which created less stress on the body of the rocket.
The rocket will now be brought back to New Zealand for their teams to look over the data and make adjustments for future launches. It is unlikely this rocket will fly again, but there is a high chance 1 or more of the engines could make another flight as the company marches forward to reusability of the entire first stage.
While the first stage recovery was ongoing, the Curie kick stage was performing maneuvers to insert itself into the proper orbit for the 7 payloads.
Four NASA satellites were deployed between 49 and 51 minutes into the mission. The Starling mission will test in-space communications, navigation, and maneuvers between the spacecraft.
Two satellites for Spire Global were then deployed shortly after at 51 minutes after launch. These satellites carry the Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO) payloads, which will be used to replenish their current constellation.
Finally, coming in at an hour and 45 minutes and 2 more burns of the 3d printed Curie engine, the Telesat LEO 3 demonstration satellite was deployed and will be used to replace the decommissioned LEO 1 satellite and continue its test campaign.
With the 7 satellites deployed and the first stage recovered, Rocket Lab completed its 7th mission of the year, 39th overall.
Rocket Lab can now say, Baby Came Back. (Credit Rocket Lab)
Disclosure: Richard Angle is not an RKLB shareholder.
Questions or comments? Shoot me an email at rangle@teslarati.com, or Tweet me @RDAnglePhoto.
News
Tesla Model S and X customization options begin to thin as their closure nears
Tesla’s Online Design Studio for both vehicles now shows the first color option to be listed as “Sold Out,” as Lunar Silver is officially no longer available for the Model S or Model X. This color is exclusive to these cars and not available on the Model S or Model X.
Tesla Model S and Model X customization options are beginning to thin for the first time as the closure of the two “sentimental” vehicles nears.
We are officially seeing the first options disappear as Tesla begins to work toward ending production of the two cars and the options that are available to those vehicles specifically.
Tesla’s Online Design Studio for both vehicles now shows the first color option to be listed as “Sold Out,” as Lunar Silver is officially no longer available for the Model S or Model X. This color is exclusive to these cars and not available on the Model S or Model X.
🚨 Tesla Model S and Model X availability is thinning, as Tesla has officially shown that the Lunar Silver color option on both vehicles is officially sold out
To be fair, Frost Blue is still available so no need to freak out pic.twitter.com/YnwsDbsFOv
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) February 25, 2026
Tesla is making way for the Optimus humanoid robot project at the Fremont Factory, where the Model S and Model X are produced. The two cars are low-volume models and do not contribute more than a few percent to Tesla’s yearly delivery figures.
With CEO Elon Musk confirming that the Model S and Model X would officially be phased out at the end of the quarter, some of the options are being thinned out.
This is an expected move considering Tesla’s plans for the two vehicles, as it will make for an easier process of transitioning that portion of the Fremont plant to cater to Optimus manufacturing. Additionally, this is likely one of the least popular colors, and Tesla is choosing to only keep around what it is seeing routine demand for.
During the Q4 Earnings Call in January, Musk confirmed the end of the Model S and Model X:
“It is time to bring the Model S and Model X programs to an end with an honorable discharge. It is time to bring the S/X programs to an end. It’s part of our overall shift to an autonomous future.”
Fremont will now build one million Optimus units per year as production is ramped.
News
Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD estimated delivery slips to early fall 2026
Tesla has also added a note on the Cybertruck design page stating that the vehicle’s price will increase after February 28.
Tesla’s estimated delivery window for new Cybertruck Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD) orders in the United States has shifted to September–October 2026. This suggests that the vehicle’s sub-$60,000 variant is now effectively sold out until then.
The updated timeline was highlighted in a post on X by Tesla watcher Sawyer Merritt, who noted that the estimated delivery window had moved from June 2026 to September-October 2026, “presumably due to strong demand.”
The Dual Motor AWD currently starts at $59,990 before incentives. Tesla has also added a note on the Cybertruck design page stating that the vehicle’s price will increase after February 28.
If demand remains steady, the combination of a later delivery window and a pending price increase suggests Tesla is seeing sustained interest in the newly-introduced Cybertruck configuration. This was highlighted by Elon Musk on X, when he noted that the Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD’s introductory price will only be available for a limited time.
When the Cybertruck was first unveiled in November 2019, Tesla listed the Dual Motor AWD variant at $49,990. Adjusted for inflation, that figure equates to roughly $63,000 in 2026 dollars, based on cumulative U.S. inflation since 2019.
That context makes a potential post-February price in the $64,000 to $65,000 range less surprising, especially as material, labor, and manufacturing costs have shifted significantly over the past several years.
While Tesla has not announced a specific new MSRP, the updated delivery timeline and pricing note together suggest that the Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD could very well be the variant that takes the all-electric full-sized pickup truck to more widespread adoption.
Elon Musk
SpaceX targets 150Mbps per user for upgraded Starlink Direct-to-Cell
If achieved, the 150Mbps goal would represent a significant jump from the current performance of Starlink Direct-to-Cell.
SpaceX is targeting peak download speeds of 150Mbps per user for its next-generation Direct-to-Cell Starlink service. The update was shared by SpaceX Spectrum & Regulatory Affairs Lead Udrivolf Pica during the International Telecommunication Union’s Space Connect conference.
“We are aiming at peak speeds of 150Mbps per user,” Pica said during the conference. “So something incredible if you think about the link budgets from space to the mobile phone.”
If achieved, the 150Mbps goal would represent a significant jump from the current performance of Starlink Direct-to-Cell.
Today, SpaceX’s cellular Starlink service, offered in partnership with T-Mobile under the T-Satellite brand, provides speeds of roughly 4Mbps per user. The service is designed primarily for texts, low-resolution video calls, and select apps in locations that traditionally have no cellular service.
By comparison, Ookla data shows median 5G download speeds of approximately 309Mbps for T-Mobile and 172Mbps for AT&T in the United States, as noted in a PCMag report. While 150Mbps would still trail the fastest terrestrial 5G networks, it would place satellite-to-phone broadband much closer to conventional carrier performance, even in remote areas.
Pica indicated that the upgraded system would support “video, voice, and data services, clearly,” moving beyond emergency connectivity and basic messaging use cases.
To reach that target, SpaceX plans to upgrade its existing Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellites and add significant new capacity. The company recently acquired access to radio spectrum from EchoStar, which Pica described as key to expanding throughput.
“More spectrum means a bigger pipeline, and this means that we can expand what we can do with partners. We can expand the quality of service. And again, we can do cellular broadband basically, cellular broadband use cases, like AI or daily connectivity needs,” he stated.
SpaceX has also requested regulatory approval to deploy 15,000 additional Direct-to-Cell satellites, beyond the roughly 650 currently supporting the system. The upgraded architecture is expected to begin rolling out in late 2027.