News
SpaceX’s BFR rocket and spaceship look more real than ever in new 4K renders
Following a September 17th presentation from CEO Elon Musk, SpaceX has published a series of uniquely detailed renders of BFR, showing off a number of new features present on the updated booster and spaceship, ranging from heat-shield tiles to Raptor pusher-rods.
To be clear, it’s possible that a skilled 3D designer took extreme artistic license and added miscellaneous trinkets and details that generally appear to look like true rocket components, but it seems unlikely that SpaceX (or Musk) would be okay with publicizing renders of a launch vehicle that go beyond the fidelity of what is already in work at an engineering level.
As such, the exceptionally detailed renders – published in 4K with a style nearly identical to Crew Dragon CGI posted recently – may directly rely on engineering-grade CAD (computer-aided design) drawings from SpaceX’s in-house BFR development team. Chances are good that that is the case to some extent, thanks largely to the fact that SpaceX has already begun fabricating full-scale structures for the first spaceship prototype. Building huge aerospace-grade subcomponents before the overall systems design has been completed is inadvisable depending on tolerances for waste, as the most likely outcome is having to build a new component when designs invariably change before any complex system’s various components work together on paper.
-
- BFR (2018) breaks through a cloud layer shortly after launch. (SpaceX)
-
- A number of BFR (2018) spaceships seen landed at a future Mars base. (SpaceX)
-
- An updated spaceship lands on Mars. (SpaceX)
At a minimum, the sheer level of detail included in these updated BFR renders points to a design that is more mature and closer to reality than anything SpaceX has shown before in its series of prospective Mars rockets presented over the last two years.
Highlights from SpaceX’s BFR (2018) renders include beautiful details of heat shield tiles, visible separation mechanisms between the spaceship and booster, an extremely detailed BFR booster interstage (featuring seven pusher rods for the upper stage’s seven Raptor engines, just like Falcon 9), and even spot-on plumes from the rocket’s thrusters.
-
- A closeup of BFS’ nose section, featuring impressively varied tile-sizes, joining methods, and extremely precise curves on the interface between canard wings and the hull. (SpaceX)
-
- A slightly broader overview of BFS just after separating from the booster. Note notches along the shield/skin divide, as well as very specific access panels, hatches, and smaller protuberances. (SpaceX)
-
- A view of BFS just after separating from its booster stage. (SpaceX)
The latter detail is particularly interesting because the thruster pods shown firing definitively take the place of where grid fins are later shown in certain slides – the most obvious conclusion is that a lower-fidelity model of BFR was used for the presentation’s animations, whereas the 3D model used for renders was far closer to the real deal. Musk did comment on Twitter that the lack of grid fins was a simple mistake on the part of the graphic designer, but it’s hard to parse that story (reasonable as it is) and the artists’ very specific decisions to place and illustrate RCS pods in action.
Good catch. They are there in the flight design, but we forgot to put them in this render.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 17, 2018
Perhaps SpaceX is entertaining the idea of entirely replacing grid fins with RCS (reaction control system) thrusters on the BFR booster, instead relying on its stubby aft fins for aerodynamic stability and using thrusters for course correction. One way or another, it’s extremely difficult to tell – while it’s probably best to side with Musk’s official comment, the possibility still remains that the replacement of grid fins with RCS thrusters was no accident.
-
- A detailed view of BFR’s booster interstage, apparent lack of grid fins, RCS pod nubs, and more. (SpaceX)
-
- BFR’s booster, now known as Super Heavy. (SpaceX)
-
- Another view of the booster’s distinctly intentional RCS thrusters in place of grid fins. (SpaceX)
-
- A Falcon 9 Block 5 booster bares its interstage and pusher rod, offering a perfect illustration of its scale. (Bloomberg)
For prompt updates, on-the-ground perspectives, and unique glimpses of SpaceX’s rocket recovery fleet check out our brand new LaunchPad and LandingZone newsletters!
News
Tesla is making two big upgrades to the Model 3, coding shows
According to coding found in the European and Chinese configurators, Tesla is planning to make two big upgrades: Black Headliner offerings and a new 16-inch QHD display, similar to that on the Model Y Performance.
Tesla is making two big upgrades to the Model 3, one of which is widely requested by owners and fans, and another that it has already started to make on some trim levels of other models within the lineup.
The changes appear to be taking effect in the European and Chinese markets, but these are expected to come to the United States based on what Tesla has done with the Model Y.
According to coding found in the European and Chinese configurators, Tesla is planning to make two big upgrades: Black Headliner offerings and a new 16-inch QHD display, similar to that on the Model Y Performance.
These changes in the coding were spotted by X user BERKANT, who shared the findings on the social media platform this morning:
🚨 Model 3 changes spotted in Tesla backend
• New interior code: IN3PB (Interior 3 Premium Black)
• Linked to Alcantara-style black headliner
• Mapped to 2026 Model 3 Performance and Premium VINs• EPC now shows: “Display_16_QHD”
• Multiple 2026 builds marked with… pic.twitter.com/OkDM5EdbTu— BERKANT (@Tesla_NL_TR) February 23, 2026
It appears these new upgrades will roll out with the Model 3 Performance and Tesla’s Premium trim levels of the all-electric sedan.
The changes are welcome. Tesla fans have been requesting that its Model 3 and Model Y offerings receive a black headliner, as even with the black interior options, the headliner is grey.
Tesla recently upgraded Model Y vehicles to this black headliner option, even in the United States, so it seems as if the Model 3 will get the same treatment as it appears to be getting in the Eastern hemisphere.
Tesla has been basically accentuating the Model 3 and Model Y with small upgrades that owners have been wanting, and it has been a focal point of the company’s future plans as it phases out other vehicles like the Model S and Model X.
Additionally, Tesla offered an excellent 0.99% APR last week on the Model 3, hoping to push more units out the door to support a strong Q1 delivery figure at the beginning of April.
Elon Musk
SpaceX secures FAA approval for 44 annual Starship launches in Florida
The FAA’s environmental review covers up to 44 launches annually, along with 44 Super Heavy booster landings and 44 upper-stage landings.
SpaceX has received environmental approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct up to 44 Starship-Super Heavy launches per year from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A in Florida.
The decision allows the company to proceed with plans tied to its next-generation launch system and future satellite deployments.
The FAA’s environmental review covers up to 44 launches annually, along with 44 Super Heavy booster landings and 44 upper-stage landings. The approval concludes the agency’s public comment period and outlines required mitigation measures related to noise, emissions, wildlife, and airspace management.
Construction of Starship infrastructure at Launch Complex 39A is nearing completion. The site, previously used for Apollo and space shuttle missions, is transitioning to support Starship operations, as noted in a Florida Today report.
If fully deployed across Kennedy Space Center and nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Starship activity on the Space Coast could exceed 120 launches annually, excluding tests. Separately, the U.S. Air Force has authorized repurposing Space Launch Complex 37 for potential additional Starship activity, pending further FAA airspace analysis.
The approval supports SpaceX’s long-term strategy, which includes deploying a large constellation of satellites intended to power space-based artificial intelligence data infrastructure. The company has previously indicated that expanded Starship capacity will be central to that effort.
The FAA review identified likely impacts from increased noise, nitrogen oxide emissions, and temporary airspace closures. Commercial flights may experience periodic delays during launch windows. The agency, however, determined these effects would be intermittent and manageable through scheduling, public notification, and worker safety protocols.
Wildlife protections are required under the approval, Florida Today noted. These include lighting controls to protect sea turtles, seasonal monitoring of scrub jays and beach mice, and restrictions on offshore landings to avoid coral reefs and right whale critical habitat. Recovery vessels must also carry trained observers to prevent collisions with protected marine species.
Elon Musk
Texas township wants The Boring Company to build it a Loop system
The township’s board unanimously approved an application to The Boring Company’s “Tunnel Vision Challenge.”
The Woodlands Township, Texas, has formally entered The Boring Company’s tunneling sweepstakes.
The township’s board unanimously approved an application to The Boring Company’s “Tunnel Vision Challenge,” which offers up to one mile of tunnel construction at no cost to a selected community.
The Woodlands’ proposal, dubbed “The Current,” features two parallel 12-foot-diameter tunnels beneath the Town Center corridor near The Waterway. Teslas would shuttle passengers between Waterway Square, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Town Green Park and nearby hotels during concerts and large-scale events, as noted in a Chron report.
Township officials framed the tunnel as a solution for the township’s traffic congestion issues. The Pavilion alone hosts more than 60 shows each year and can accommodate crowds of up to 16,500, often straining Lake Robbins Drive and surrounding intersections.
“We know we have traffic impacts and pedestrian movement challenges, especially in the Town Center area,” Chris Nunes, chief operating officer of The Woodlands Township, stated during the meeting.
“The Current” mirrors the Loop system operating beneath the Las Vegas Convention Center, where Tesla vehicles transport passengers through underground tunnels between venues and resorts.
The Boring Company issued its request for proposals (RFP) in mid-January, inviting cities and districts to pitch local uses for its tunneling technology. The Woodlands must submit its application by Feb. 23, though no timeline has been provided for when a winning community will be announced.
Nunes confirmed that the board has authorized a submission for “The Current’s” proposal, though he emphasized that the project is still in its preliminary stages.
“The Woodlands Township Board of Directors has authorized staff to submit an application to The Boring Company, which has issued an RFP for communities interested in leveraging their technology to address community challenges,” he said in a statement.
“The Board believes that an underground tunnel would provide a safe and efficient means to transport people to and from various high-use community amenities in our Town Center.”
Tesla is making two big upgrades to the Model 3, coding shows
SpaceX secures FAA approval for 44 annual Starship launches in Florida
