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Pictured landing in July 2019 after its second launch, Falcon 9 booster B1056 - now on its fourth launch - is set to break a crucial reusability record. (SpaceX) Pictured landing in July 2019 after its second launch, Falcon 9 booster B1056 - now on its fourth launch - is set to break a crucial reusability record. (SpaceX)

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SpaceX Falcon 9 fires up ahead of second to last 2019 launch and landing

Falcon 9 B1056.2 landed at SpaceX's Cape Canaveral Landing Zone (LZ-1/2) after its second launch. The booster is now set to fly for the third time in seven months. (SpaceX)

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SpaceX has successfully static fired a Falcon 9’s booster engines ahead of its second to last launch and landing of 2019, on track to make December the company’s busiest month of the year.

About a month after successfully lofting 60 Starlink satellites and 11 days after sending Cargo Dragon on its way to the ISS for CRS-19, SpaceX has two more launch scheduled in 2019: Kacific-1 no earlier than (NET) December 16th and Starlink-2 NET December 30th.

The JCSAT-18/Kacific-1 satellite is pictured during processing ahead of final encapsulation at SpaceX’s processing facility in Cape Canaveral, FL. (Kacific)

For SpaceX, the turn of the decade will mark the end of an historic year – let alone decade – of milestones for the intrepid commercial space company, including achievements like’s Crew Dragon flawless orbital launch debut, the fourth flight of a refurbished Falcon 9 booster, the first-ever reuse of a flight-proven payload fairing, and a duo of spectacular Starhopper flight tests to name just a few.

First up, SpaceX will fly twice-flown Falcon 9 booster B1056.3 for the third time. B1056.3 previously supported CRS-17 and CRS-18, back to back Cargo Dragon space station resupply missions for NASA. Currently targeting a Monday, December 16th launch, SpaceX is set to place the jointly-owned JCSAT-18/Kacific-1 broadband communication satellite for Japan’s Sky Perfect JSAT Corp. and Singapore’s self-proclaimed “next-generation broadband satellite operator”, Kacific Broadband Satellites.

According to a Kacific, after deploying from Falcon 9 and circularizing into a geostationary orbit some 22,000 miles (36,000km) over the Asia-Pacific region, the JCSAT-18/Kaficic-1 satellite “will stream broadband to 25 nations in South East Asia and the Pacific Islands via 56 spot beams.” All told, the satellite will offer a maximum bandwidth of 70 gigabits per second (Gbps) with each spot beam serving up to 1.25 Gbps.

Kacific was founded in 2013 by CEO Christian Patouraux to provide desperately needed communication services to the Asia Pacific region, “where high prices and unsuitable technology were prohibiting access.” Kacific looks to “provide high speed, affordable and accessible internet to extra-urban, rural, and remote users” with Kacific-1, the company’s first (partially) dedicated satellite.

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Ahead of Monday’s launch attempt, the JCSAT-18/Kacific-1 satellite was fully encapsulated inside Falcon 9’s payload fairing, both halves of which SpaceX will try to catch with recovery vessels GO Ms. Tree and GO Ms. Chief in what will be the company’s first simultaneous catch attempt ever. Meanwhile, B1056 has its own recovery attempt penciled in and drone ship Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY) departed Port Canaveral on December 12th, headed ~650 km (400 mi) downrange. OCISLY arrived at its recovery zone earlier today, as did Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief, now stationed about 140 km (90 mi) further East.

As per usual, Falcon 9 B1056.3 and its expendable upper stage performed a wet dress rehearsal (WDR) and static fire, identical to launch operations minus the rocket actually lifting off. The Kacific-1 mission’s December 16th launch trajectory allows for an 88-minute window from 7:10 pm – 8:38 pm EST (0010-0138 UTC, December 17) and weather forecasts are currently 90% go.

As mentioned, twin fairing recovery vessels GO Ms. Tree and GO Ms. Chief departed Port Canaveral on December 13th in a bid to attempt their first simultaneous Falcon fairing recovery, meaning that each ship will attempt to catch one parasailing fairing half. This mission is technically the second time both ships have port left together for a recovery, but their first whole-airing catch attempt was called off before it could start due to rough seas and high winds in the Atlantic Ocean. Prior to being rechristened Ms. Tree, Mr. Steven suffered severe damage during a planned February 2019 catch attempt, losing its net and two of four arms after the ship was caught in high seas.

Greg Scott captured the first-ever view of both SpaceX fairing recovery ships – Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief – departing Port Canaveral for sea trials on November 6th, 2019. (Greg Scott)

Following Kacific-1, SpaceX’s final launch of 2019 – barring delays – will likely be the company’s second dedicated Starlink v1.0 mission, a 60-satellite payload that will almost certainly make SpaceX the world’s largest commercial satellite operator. Starlink-2 is scheduled to launch NET December 30th.

SpaceX will stream Falcon 9’s Kacific-1 launch and landing and the webcast will kick off some 15 minutes before liftoff, NET 6:55 pm ET (23:55 UTC), December 16th.

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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Elon Musk

Elon Musk is now a remote DOGE worker: White House Chief of Staff

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is no longer working from the West Wing.

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Credit: Elon Musk/X

In a conversation with the New York Post, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles stated that Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is no longer working from the West Wing.

As per the Chief of Staff, Musk is still working for DOGE—as a remote worker, at least.

Remote Musk

In her conversation with the publication, Wiles stated that she still talks with Musk. And while the CEO is now working remotely, his contributions still have the same net effect. 

“Instead of meeting with him in person, I’m talking to him on the phone, but it’s the same net effect,” Wiles stated, adding that “it really doesn’t matter much” that the CEO “hasn’t been here physically.” She also noted that Musk’s team will not be leaving.

“He’s not out of it altogether. He’s just not physically present as much as he was. The people that are doing this work are here doing good things and paying attention to the details. He’ll be stepping back a little, but he’s certainly not abandoning it. And his people are definitely not,” Wiles stated.

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Back to Tesla

Musk has been a frequent presence in the White House during the Trump administration’s first 100 days in office. But during the Q1 2025 Tesla earnings call, Musk stated that he would be spending substantially less time with DOGE and substantially more time with Tesla. Musk did emphasize, however, that DOGE’s work is extremely valuable and critical.

“I think I’ll continue to spend a day or two per week on government matters for as long as the President would like me to do so and as long as it is useful. But starting next month, I’ll be allocating probably more of my time to Tesla and now that the major work of establishing the Department of Government Efficiency is done,” Musk stated.

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Elon Musk

Tariff reprieve might be ‘Tesla-friendly,’ but it’s also an encouragement to others

Tesla stands to benefit from the tariff reprieve, but it has some work cut out for it as well.

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tesla employee
(Photo: Tesla)

After Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick made adjustments to the automotive tariff program that was initially announced, many quickly pointed to the reprieve as “Tesla-friendly.”

While that may be the case right now, it was also a nudge of encouragement to other companies, Tesla included, to source parts from the U.S. in an effort to strengthen domestic manufacturing. Many companies are close, and it will only take a handful of improvements to save themselves from tariffs on their cars as well.

Yesterday, Sec. Lutnick confirmed that cars manufactured with at least 85 percent of domestic content will face zero tariffs. Additionally, U.S. automakers would receive credit up to 15 percent of the value of vehicles to offset the cost of imported parts.

Big Tesla win? Sec Lutnick says cars with 85% domestic content will face zero tariffs

“This is ‘finish your cars in America and you win’,” Lutnick said.

Many were quick to point out that only three vehicles currently qualify for this zero-tariff threshold: all three are Teslas.

However, according to Kelley Blue Book’s most recent study that revealed who makes the most American cars, there are a lot of vehicles that are extremely close to also qualifying for these tariff reductions.

Tesla has three vehicles that are within five percent, while Ford, Honda, Jeep, Chevrolet, GMC, and Volkswagen have many within just ten percent of the threshold.

Tesla completely dominates Kogod School’s 2024 Made in America Auto Index

It is within reach for many.

Right now, it is easy to see why some people might think this is a benefit for Tesla and Tesla only.

But it’s not, because Tesla has its Cybertruck, Model S, and Model X just a few percentage points outside of that 85 percent cutoff. They, too, will feel the effects of the broader strategy that the Trump administration is using to prioritize domestic manufacturing and employment. More building in America means more jobs for Americans.

Credit: Tesla

However, other companies that are very close to the 85 percent cutoff are only a few components away from also saving themselves the hassle of the tariffs.

Ford has the following vehicles within just five percent of the 85 percent threshold:

  • Ford Mustang GT automatic (80%)
  • Ford Mustang GT 5.0 (80%)
  • Ford Mustang GT Coupe Premium (80%)

Honda has several within ten percent:

  • Honda Passport All-Wheel-Drive (76.5%)
  • Honda Passport Trailsport (76.5)

Jeep has two cars:

  • Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (76%)
  • Jeep Wrangler Sahara (76%)

Volkswagen has one with the ID.4 AWD 82-kWh (75.5%). GMC has two at 75.5% with the Canyon AT4 Crew Cab 4WD and the Canyon Denali Crew Cab 4WD.

Chevrolet has several:

  • Chevrolet Colorado 2.7-liter (75.5%)
  • Chevrolet Colorado LT Crew Cab 2WD 2.7-liter (75.5%)
  • Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Crew Cab 4WD 2.7-liter (75.5%)

These companies are close to reaching the 85% threshold, but adjustments need to be made to work toward that number.

Anything from seats to fabric to glass can be swapped out for American-made products, making these cars more domestically sourced and thus qualifying them for the zero-tariff boundary.

Frank DuBois of American University said that manufacturers like to see stability in their relationships with suppliers and major trade partners. He said that Trump’s tariff plan could cause “a period of real instability,” but it will only be temporary.

Now is the time to push American manufacturing forward, solidifying a future with more U.S.-made vehicles and creating more domestic jobs. Tesla will also need to scramble to make adjustments to its vehicles that are below 85%.

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Tesla Cybertruck RWD production in full swing at Giga Texas

Videos of several freshly produced Cybertruck LR RWD units were shared on social media platform X.

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Credit: Joe Tegtmeyer/X

It appears that Tesla is indeed ramping the production of the Cybertruck Long Range Rear Wheel Drive (LR RWD), the most affordable variant of the brutalist all-electric pickup truck.

Videos of several freshly produced Cybertruck LR RWD units were shared on social media platform X.

Giga Texas Footage

As per longtime Tesla watcher Joe Tegtmeyer, Giga, Texas, was a hotbed of activity when he conducted his recent drone flyover. Apart from what seemed to be Cybercab castings being gathered in the complex, a good number of Cybertruck LR RWD units could also be seen in the facility’s staging area. The Cybertruck LR RWD units are quite easy to spot since they are not equipped with the motorized tonneau cover that is standard on the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast.

The presence of the Cybertruck LR RWD units in Giga Texas’ staging area suggests that Tesla is ramping the production of the base all-electric pickup truck. This bodes well for the vehicle, which is still premium priced despite missing a good number of features that are standard in the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast.

Cybertruck Long Range RWD Specs

The Cybertruck LR RWD is priced at $69,990 before incentives, making it $10,000 more affordable than the Cybertruck AWD. For its price, the Cybertruck Long Range RWD offers a range of 350 miles per charge if equipped with its 18” standard Wheels. It can also add up to 147 miles of range in 15 minutes using a Tesla Supercharger.

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Much of the cost-cutting measures taken by Tesla are evident in the cabin of the Cybertruck LR RWD. This could be seen in its textile seats, standard console, seven-speaker audio system with no active noise cancellation, and lack of a 9.4” second-row display. It is also missing the motorized tonneau cover, the 2x 120V and 1x 240V power outlets on the bed, and the 2x 120V power outlets in the cabin. It is also equipped with an adaptive coil spring suspension instead of the adaptive air suspension in the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast.

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