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SpaceX aces 100th Falcon 9 launch, kicks off dual Dragon operations

A flight-proven Falcon 9 rocket lifts off with SpaceX's first upgraded Cargo Dragon 2 spacecraft. (SpaceX)

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SpaceX’s first upgraded Cargo Dragon 2 spacecraft is safely in orbit after Falcon 9’s 100th successful launch, kicking off the company’s first-ever operation of two Dragons in orbit.

Following on the heels of Crew Dragon’s second astronaut flight and operational launch debut, Crew-1 and Cargo Dragon’s CRS-21 resupply run also represent the quickest back-to-back Dragon launches in SpaceX’s history by several months. According to SpaceX comments and NASA schedules, the company’s 2021 manifest will be at least as packed with Dragon launches as 2020, packing another five (and maybe even six) orbital missions into a single year.

To achieve that ambitious manifest (potentially as many Dragon missions as ULA launches in all of 2020, for example), SpaceX and NASA will have to rely more heavily than ever on reusability. Thankfully, CRS-21 has already expanded the envelope of NASA-approved Falcon 9 booster reuse.

Falcon 9 booster B1058 sails back to Earth for its fourth landing as the rocket’s second stage burns towards orbit. (SpaceX)

In a slew of firsts for NASA and SpaceX, CRS-21 marked the first time in history a new spacecraft has debuted on a flight-proven rocket, the first time SpaceX has flown an orbital mission for NASA on a twice or thrice-flown Falcon 9 booster, and the first time SpaceX has flown an orbital mission for NASA on a booster with non-NASA flights in its history.

B1058 and the first Cargo Dragon 2 spacecraft stand vertical at Pad 39A. (SpaceX)
B1058 aced its fourth drone ship landing around nine minutes after liftoff. (SpaceX)

Even further, still, SpaceX managed to turn Falcon 9 booster B1058 around for CRS-21 – satisfying NASA’s strict standards – in just 61 days, making it the third fastest Falcon booster turnaround ever. In other words, SpaceX’s successful CRS-21 launch has simultaneously demonstrated that a booster good enough for Starlink is good enough for NASA and that even rapid Falcon refurbishment is up to NASA’s standards. With an average turnaround of ~60 days, a single Falcon 9 booster could feasibly support five annual Dragon launches.

Meanwhile, each upgraded Cargo Dragon 2 spacecraft has been designed to support at least five orbital missions, while Crew Dragon is already scheduled for its first reuse – carrying astronauts, no less – around four months from now.

The first Cargo Dragon 2 is now en route to the International Space Station (ISS) and is scheduled to autonomously dock – a first for a US cargo spacecraft – around 1:30 pm EST (18:30 UTC) on Monday, December 7th. Stay tuned for updates as two SpaceX Dragons prepare to meet in orbit for the first time ever.

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Eric Ralph is Teslarati's senior spaceflight reporter and has been covering the industry in some capacity for almost half a decade, largely spurred in 2016 by a trip to Mexico to watch Elon Musk reveal SpaceX's plans for Mars in person. Aside from spreading interest and excitement about spaceflight far and wide, his primary goal is to cover humanity's ongoing efforts to expand beyond Earth to the Moon, Mars, and elsewhere.

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Neuralink device gets FDA recognition for speech restoration

Neuralink device gets FDA’s ‘breakthrough’ designation. With Link, a man with ALS now types, navigates, and speaks.

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(Credit: Neuralink/YouTube)

Neuralink’s brain-computer interface (BCI) device, Link, has secured the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “breakthrough” designation for restoring communication in patients with severe speech impairment. This milestone advances Elon Musk’s vision of merging human cognition with technology.

The Link device targets individuals with neurological conditions like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), stroke, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. In a recent X video, Neuralink’s third PRIME Study participant, Bradford G. Smith, who lives with ALS, showcased the device’s potential.

Using Link, Smith regained his ability to communicate, leveraging AI to narrate with a synthesized version of his former voice. “I am typing this with my brain,” Smith wrote. “It is my primary communication.”

Smith edited the X video with the help of Link. In the video, he demonstrated how Link enabled him to control a computer cursor to communicate, highlighting the BCI’s ability to interface with external devices.

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Before Link, Smith relied on an eye tracker, which limited communication in bright settings and restricted his mobility. Now, Neuralink’s implant enables him to connect more freely. His experience shows Neuralink’s progress in empowering paralyzed individuals and those with neurodegenerative diseases through revolutionary assistive solutions.

The company is also exploring applications for vision restoration and other health challenges. In 2024, Neuralink received the FDA’s ‘breakthrough device’ tag for its Blindsight device. Elon Musk explained that Blindsight would help people who have lost both eyes and function in their optic nerve to see. However, Neuralink’s current focus remains on mobility and communication.

Neuralink recently expanded its patient registry to include participants worldwide. The PRIME Study, likely the primary target for new registrants, tests Link’s base capabilities. Meanwhile, the CONVOY study explores Link’s ability to control robotic devices, like an assistive robotic arm. This broader access underscores Neuralink’s commitment to scaling its trials.

The company is reportedly preparing for a $500 million funding round, with preliminary talks valuing Neuralink at $8.5 billion pre-money and potentially $9 billion post-money, though terms remain fluid. Neuralink has not commented on the speculation about funding.

By earning FDA breakthrough status, Neuralink positions Link as a transformative tool for those with severe speech impairments. Smith’s experience illustrates its potential to restore independence, while ongoing trials and funding efforts signal the company’s ambition to redefine human-technology interaction for neurological conditions and beyond.

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Tesla says it denied Musk CEO replacement report before it was published

Tesla says it responded to the WSJ’s request for comment, denying that it was in search of a new CEO to replace Elon Musk.

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(Credit: Tesla)

Tesla said that it denied seeking a replacement for CEO Elon Musk before a report was published claiming the company was considering a new frontman.

Last night, The Wall Street Journal reported that Tesla’s Board of Directors was looking for Musk’s replacement after he had devoted too much time to his role within the government. The publication revised its headline to the report no fewer than five times, initially stating the company was still seeking a replacement.

By the time the headline revisions were complete, it had outlined that Tesla had looked for a replacement a month ago, but had stopped its search following Musk’s commitment to Tesla during the company’s earnings call last month.

Shortly after the report surfaced, Board of Directors chairwoman Robyn Denholm officially issued a statement on behalf of Tesla:

“Earlier today, there was a media report erroneously claiming that the Tesla Board had contacted recruitment firms to initiate a CEO search at the company. This is absolutely false (and this was communicated to the media before the report was published). The CEO of Tesla is Elon Musk and the Board is highly confident in his ability to continue executing on the exciting growth plan ahead.  – Robyn Denholm.”

Tesla Board Chair slams Wall Street Journal over alleged CEO search report

Interestingly, Denholm’s statement indicates it had responded to a request for comment from the Wall Street Journal before the report was published. This is especially interesting because Tesla does not typically respond to media outreach, as it dissolved its media department several years ago.

Tesla typically makes its statements publicly on X.

Musk also responded to the report, indicating that the WSJ had committed an “extremely bad breach of ethics” by publishing a “deliberately false article” that did not include Tesla’s “unequivocal denial beforehand.”

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Robotaxis are already making roads safer, Waymo report reveals

Waymo Driver is already reducing severe crashes and enhancing the safety of vulnerable road users.

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Waymo hires former Tesla Executive 
(Credit: Waymo)

Industry leaders such as Elon Musk have always maintained that autonomous robotaxis will make roads safer. A recent blog post from Waymo about the safety of its self-driving cars suggests that Musk’s sentiments are on point.

Way More Safety

Waymo Driver is already reducing severe crashes and enhancing the safety of vulnerable road users. As per a new research paper set for publication in the Traffic Injury Prevention Journal, Waymo Driver had outperformed human drivers in safety, particularly for vulnerable road users (VRUs).

Over 56.7 million miles, compared to human drivers, Waymo Driver achieved a 92% reduction in pedestrian injury crashes. It also saw 82% fewer crashes with injuries with cyclists and 82% fewer crashes with injuries with motorcyclists. Waymo Driver also slashed injury-involving intersection crashes by 96%, which are a leading cause of severe road harm for human drivers. Waymo Driver saw 85% fewer crashes with suspected serious or worse injuries as well.

What They Are Saying

Mauricio Peña, Waymo’s Chief Safety Officer, was optimistic about Waymo Driver’s results so far. “It’s exciting to see the real positive impact that Waymo is making on the streets of America as we continue to expand. This research reinforces the growing evidence that the Waymo Driver is playing a crucial role in reducing serious crashes and protecting all road users,” the Chief Safety Officer noted.

Jonathan Adkins, Chief Executive Officer at Governors Highway Safety Association, also noted that Waymo’s results are very encouraging. “It’s encouraging to see real-world data showing Waymo outperforming human drivers when it comes to safety. Fewer crashes and fewer injuries — especially for people walking and biking — is exactly the kind of progress we want to see from autonomous vehicles,” Adkins stated.

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