

SpaceX
SpaceX’s flawless Falcon Heavy Block 5 launch and landing in pictures
In the afterglow of SpaceX’s successful Falcon Heavy Block 5 debut, also the rocket’s first commercial mission, there is no better time to appreciate the countless dozens upon dozens of photos and videos taken of Falcon Heavy’s launch and back-to-back booster landings.
Teslarati photographers Tom Cross and Pauline Acalin were both on the ground with more than eight cameras split between them, many of which were able to capture some spectacular photos of the world’s largest rocket throughout its flawless commercial debut. Perhaps most notable are photos and videos from those with cameras (or job sites) near SpaceX’s Cape Canaveral Landing Zones 1 and 2, in some cases producing videos of the multiple sonic booms produced by Falcon Heavy’s side boosters during the transition from hypersonic to subsonic speeds.
Both Teslarati photographers produced some amazing photos over the course of setting up cameras to capture Falcon Heavy and observing its commercial launch debut from approximately 7 miles (11.3 km) away. This included distant shots of Falcon Heavy during all visible stages of flight, including liftoff, ascent, side booster separation, and both side booster landings.
Inside the splash zone
SpaceX’s own official remote cameras then joined press photographers like Tom and Pauline to capture Falcon Heavy’s Pad 39A liftoff from a distance that would likely maim or kill a human standing in the same position. Triggered to snap photos by the actual sound of the rocket launching, these cameras can capture views that would otherwise be nearly inaccessible.
At liftoff, Falcon Heavy Block 5 likely produces anywhere from 5.1-5.6 million pounds of thrust (23,000-25,500 kN) that is immediately countered by a huge deluge of water used to prevent the sheer sound of its Merlin 1D engines from damaging themselves or other parts of the rocket. This ends up producing spectacular clouds of steam, often an iconic feature of most rocket launches. Falcon Heavy is currently the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of ~2.5 and will hold on to that title until NASA’s SLS rocket debuts, likely no less than ~48 months away.
The grand finale
Finally, there are the photos and videos of Falcon Heavy’s side booster recovery. Aside from a select few photographers working for SpaceX or the Air Force, as well as Cape Canaveral AFS and Kennedy Space Center employees, the closest a member of the press can get to one of SpaceX’s Landing Zone Falcon recoveries is around four miles (6.4 km) away. Photos (and the aural experience) of Falcon landings from four miles away are still absolutely spectacular, but they can’t compete with the privileged access described above.
One such video taken by a United Launch Alliance (ULA) engineer offers an extraordinary up-close view of both Falcon Heavy Block 5 side boosters – B1052 and B1053 – safely returning to Earth after their first operational launches. Likely standing near the top of ULA’s LC-37 Delta IV launch pad integration facilities, Mr. Krishnan’s video does an excellent job
Located less than 3.5 miles (5.6 km) away from SpaceX’s Landing Zones, this is a perspective that very few humans will ever experience, owing to the fact Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is an operational military base and that being so close undeniably adds some level of risk for observers. In the author’s humble opinion, the view seems… worth it. LC-37 also happens to be just 5 miles (8 km) away from the LC-39A pad from which Falcon Heavy had just launched, thus offering an almost equally visceral view of liftoff, ascent, and landing.
Cameras placed near the Landing Zones by both SpaceX and USAF photographers captured even more spectacular views and marked the conclusion of the launch and landing debuts of Falcon Heavy boosters B1052 and B1053. These same boosters are tentatively scheduled to support Falcon Heavy’s third launch as soon as June 2019, potentially breaking SpaceX’s internal record for time to complete a given booster’s refurbishment (72 days for Falcon 9, 74 days for Block 5). However, once Falcon Heavy Flight 3 is completed sometime later this year, it’s possible that SpaceX will replace their nosecones with




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News
SpaceX is partnering with chipmakers to enable Starlink satellite-to-cell service
President Gwynne Shotwell outlined the effort during a space industry conference in Paris.

SpaceX is working with microchip manufacturers to integrate satellite-connectivity hardware into smartphones, advancing its plan for direct-to-device services through Starlink.
The move follows the company’s $17 billion acquisition of wireless spectrum from EchoStar Corp., a deal that positions SpaceX to operate more independently of traditional telecom carriers.
President Gwynne Shotwell outlined the effort during a space industry conference in Paris this week, as noted in a Bloomberg News report.
Starlink direct-to-device
Starlink currently serves millions of customers in over 100 countries, primarily through ground-based dishes. The company, however, is now expanding into satellite-to-cell service, which should enable unmodified phones to connect directly with orbiting satellites. While SpaceX has a partnership with T-Mobile US, the EchoStar spectrum purchase gives it more control to negotiate with global carriers on its own terms.
“We’re working with chip manufacturers to get the proper chips in phones,” the SpaceX President stated. “We will now be initiating discussions with telcos in a different way now. Now it’s our spectrum, but we want to work with them, almost providing capacity and wholesaling capacity to their customers.”
The company plans to launch satellites capable of supporting its direct-to-device business within two years, with early mobile phone testing expected by late 2026.
Starship program continues test flights
Shotwell also addressed SpaceX’s Starship program, which recently completed its 10th test flight in August. She said the mission met all objectives, providing a critical morale boost to teams after a challenging development year.
“My Starship team needed that win,” Shotwell noted. “Development programs always are kind of a 24/7 operation, and I was really pleased for them.”
SpaceX is planning to fly one more iteration of the current Starship prototype, known as V2, before transitioning to the next-generation V3 vehicle. That version, expected to debut late this year or early 2026, is designed to be more capable and support eventual crewed missions to the Moon and Mars.
“The V3, which we want to fly hopefully late this year, but maybe early next year, is really the vehicle that could take humans to the moon and Mars,” Shotwell stated.
News
U.S. Judge dismisses lawsuit against SpaceX Starship Boca Chica launch site
The ruling found that the FAA had met its obligations in reviewing the potential environmental effects of Starship launches.

A U.S. district court judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by conservation groups challenging the Federal Aviation Administration’s approval of SpaceX’s expanded rocket launch operations in Boca Chica, Texas.
The ruling, issued Monday, found that the FAA had met its obligations in reviewing the potential environmental effects of Starship launches.
FAA review withstands legal challenge
The lawsuit centered on whether the FAA properly assessed the impact of SpaceX’s operations on endangered wildlife, including ocelots, jaguarundis, and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles, as noted in a report from The Guardian. The plaintiffs argued that noise, light pollution, and construction activity degraded the surrounding habitat, which also serves as nesting grounds for threatened shorebirds.
The lawsuit cited SpaceX’s April 2023 Starship test, which destroyed its launchpad and scattered debris across a large area. The blast reportedly ignited a grassfire and damaged wildlife habitats, including a bobwhite quail nest.
Judge Carl Nichols, for his part, ruled that the FAA had satisfied its obligation“to take a hard look at the effects of light on nearby wildlife.” The decision effectively cleared a regulatory hurdle for SpaceX, which has been working to expand Starship launch activity at its Boca Chica facility.
A continued ramp
SpaceX continues to scale its operations nationwide. Beyond Starship, the company is also seeking approval to nearly double Falcon rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, from 50 annually to 95.
Former President Trump has also shared his intention to increase U.S. launch capacity, setting a target for substantial growth by 2030. Considering that SpaceX is by far the world’s dominant launch provider, Trump’s support for more launches will likely benefit the private space company.
For now, at least, the ruling should allow continued expansion at a time when Starship remains central to long-term goals such as Mars missions and NASA’s Artemis program.
Elon Musk
SpaceX to expand Central Texas facility with $8M Bastrop project
Bastrop is already the site of several Elon Musk-led ventures.

SpaceX is set to expand its presence in Central Texas with an $8 million project to enlarge its Bastrop facility, as per state filings.
The 80,000-square-foot addition, which is scheduled to begin construction on September 24 and wrap in early January 2026, was registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and initially reported by My San Antonio.
New investment
Bastrop is already the site of several Elon Musk-led ventures. The upcoming expansion will extend SpaceX’s office at 858 FM 1209, near Starlink’s operations and The Boring Company’s facilities. Just down the road, X is housed in the Hyperloop Plaza at 865 FM 1209.
SpaceX’s expansion reflects a steady buildup of resources in Bastrop since the private space firm established its presence in the area. The addition was praised by Tesla Governor Greg Abbott, who wrote on X that the expansion will “bring more jobs, innovations and will strengthen Starlink’s impact worldwide.”
State support
In March, Gov. Greg Abbott announced a $17.3 million state grant to SpaceX for an “expansion of their semiconductor research and development (R&D) and advanced packaging facility in Bastrop.” The project is expected to create more than 400 new jobs and generate over $280 million in capital investment.
Following the grant award, the Texas Governor also noted that SpaceX’s facility would be growing by 1 million square feet across three years to boost its Starlink program. SpaceX’s Starlink division is among the company’s fastest-growing segments, with the satellite internet system connecting over 6 million users and counting worldwide.
Recent reports have also indicated that Starlink has struck a deal with EchoStar to acquire 50 MHz of exclusive S-band spectrum in the United States and global Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) licenses. This should pave the way for Starlink to provide 5G coverage worldwide, even in remote areas.
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