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Rocket Lab prepares for next launch, moves closer to Electron reusability

Electron launching from Launch Complex 1 on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand (Credit Rocket Lab)

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Rocket Lab is readying for its next launch no earlier than April 24th from Launch Complex 1 on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand.

The mission, Beginning of the Swarm, will feature two payloads being deployed to completely different orbits.

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The primary payload for this mission, NEONSAT-1, is for the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Satellite Technology Research Center and is an Earth observation satellite with a high-resolution camera to help monitor the Korean peninsula during natural disasters. This will be the first of an 11-satellite constellation for the country.

NEONSAT-1 will be deployed into a 520km circular Earth orbit.

The secondary payload is NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System, or ACS3. This cubesat is meant to test new materials used on deployable booms that will hold a solar sail. Once fully unfurled, it will measure approximately 30 feet per side.

ACS3 will be deployed into a 1000km circular Earth orbit after Rocket Lab’s Curie kick stage performs an orbit-raising maneuver and then once deployed, the kick stage will ignite once more to lower its orbit to ensure a quicker re-entry into the atmosphere and not turn into space debris.

Rocket Lab moves closer to first stage re-usability

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The Electron that flew the Four of a Kind mission could be the first to fly again (Credit Rocket Lab)

Rocket Lab announced today at the Space Symposium in Colorado that they have brought a previously flown Electron first stage back into the production line.

The first-stage tank has already undergone extensive testing, including holding excess pressure for more than 20x a normal flight duration, leak checks, and structural testing, which allowed it to re-enter the production line.

This specific first stage flew the Four of a Kind Mission on January 31st. Rocket Lab did not indicate if any of the Rutherford engines that flew on that mission will be re-used or if they will be all new. The company has also yet to disclose which payload will be launched using the flight-proven first stage.

Rocket Lab is certainly making strides towards full first-stage reusability on Electron and also gathering valuable data that will help them recover Neutron, their future medium-lift rocket.

Do you think Rocket Lab will be flying re-used Electron stages frequently by the end of this year, or could they run into issues as they progress towards that goal?

Disclosure: Richard Angle is not an RKLB shareholder.

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Questions or comments? Shoot me an email at rangle@teslarati.com, or Tweet me @RDAnglePhoto.

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Tesla launches new feature that cold climate drivers will love

Tesla’s steering wheels are getting better with this simple yet effective software update.

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Credit: Weibo (via YYDS on X)

Tesla is launching another new feature in its cars, this time it will cater to those in colder climates, and those drivers will love it.

Perhaps one of the best things about Teslas is that they routinely receive over-the-air software updates that either improve the ownership experience, add features, or make their performance more robust.

Every update offers some sort of bug fix or new feature that simply makes the cars better than they were before. For example, earlier this week, we reported on a new third-party charger latch release feature that will help those with non-Tesla home charging plugs.

Tesla adds useful Model 3/Y feature home chargers will love

Now, Tesla is releasing a new improvement to its heated steering wheel system, which has been around for several years. The new feature is one that will improve its performance and have your wheel nice and toasty the next time you get in, and it is a bit chilly outside.

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According to Not a Tesla App, Tesla rolled out the Heated Steering Wheel improvements with the 2024.14 software update:

“If the steering wheel heater is set to Auto, the steering wheel will now heat up based on the cabin temperature, even if the climate system is set manually.

Previously, the climate system needed to be set to Auto for the steering wheel heater to turn on automatically.”

The change impacts all five Tesla models, the release notes state.

The heated steering wheel is one of the features that Tesla has used to help cater the vehicle’s overall performance to those in colder climates.

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Tesla Model 3 with heated steering wheel begins US deliveries

Just as the air-conditioned and cooling seats are beneficial during the Summer months, the heated steering wheel is incredibly beneficial to those drivers in colder parts of the globe.

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Tesla announces massive new achievement with 8 million cars produced

Tesla’s 8 millionth car comes just 8 months after it built its 7 millionth car.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla announced a massive new achievement in relation to its automotive division as it has officially built 8 million cars globally.

The 8 millionth car rolled off production lines at Gigafactory Berlin on Friday, the company announced. The car was an Ultra Red Model Y, images show:

The car comes just about eight months after Tesla built its 7 millionth car at the Fremont Factory last October, a major accomplishment considering the claims of a lack of demand from the media.

Tesla celebrates 7 million vehicles produced

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Additionally, Tesla was able to achieve this major threshold with a stoppage in production at each of its four production facilities earlier this year. The manufacturing halt was attributed to a production line changeover for the new Model Y crossover.

The car has been the best-selling vehicle in the world for two consecutive years, and the company pausing production for two weeks, yet still managed to produce one million cars in eight months is impressive.

Tesla currently only produces the Model Y at Gigafactory Berlin, but the car is also manufactured at Gigafactory Shanghai, Gigafactory Texas, and the Fremont Factory.

It is the only model to be produced at all four of Tesla’s global manufacturing plants, which span across three different continents.

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Elon Musk and Donald Trump to speak with each other Friday: report

White House aides have scheduled a call between the CEO and U.S. President on Friday.

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The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
President Donald J. Trump purchases a Tesla on the South Lawn, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s feud seems to be thawing, at least to some degree.

As per a recent Politico report, White House aides have scheduled a call between the CEO and U.S. President on Friday.

Musk vs. Trump

Musk turned into a staunch critic of Trump amidst the administration’s efforts to pass the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which the CEO claimed would add trillions to the country’s deficit. Trump, for his part, claimed that Musk turned on him due to the adverse effects of the proposed bill on his companies.

The spat between the two powerful men became so notable that Musk called for the impeachment of Trump on X. He also claimed that Trump was in the Epstein list. The U.S. President, for his part, threatened to cancel billions of dollars worth of government contracts with Musk’s companies such as SpaceX.

Potential Truce

As per Politico, however, White House aides have stepped in to temper the tensions and broker peace between the two powerful men. When asked by the outlet about his ongoing feud with the CEO, Trump reportedly stated that “it’s okay” and that “it’s going very well, never done better.” The U.S. President also highlighted his favorability ratings, stating that his “numbers are through the roof.”

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While the CEO was very aggressive against Trump in his X posts, he did back down somewhat after some time. When hedge fund manager Bill Ackman argued that Trump and Musk should make peace for the benefit of the United States, the CEO responded with, “You’re not wrong.” Musk also walked back on his decision to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which is essential to NASA’s operations.

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