News
SpaceX plans huge expansion for Floridan Falcon refurbishment facilities
According to an environmental assessment published in April 2018, SpaceX aims to build a dedicated facility for storing, refurbishing and decommissioning Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy boosters and payload fairings “immediately” after construction approvals are granted.
New Falcon 9 and Heavy refurbishment/storage center will be built in Florida
This facility would give SpaceX some 50 acres of land and 130,000 square feet (12,300 m^2) of floor space for the sole purpose of refurbishing and storing flight-proven Falcon 9 and Heavy boosters, as well as the rockets’ payload fairings after successful recoveries begin. If additional storage space proved necessary (and it probably will), another 100,000 ft^2 (9300 m^2) building would be constructed.
- Falcon Heavy rolls out from SpaceX’s largest current booster storage and preparation facility, LC-39A. (SpaceX)
- The first-ever Falcon Heavy (sans payload and fairing) shown inside Pad 39A’s horizontal integration facility (HIF). (SpaceX)
As of today, SpaceX likely has room to store 6-8 Falcon boosters at or near their Florida launch pads, with the bulk of that storage coming from the company’s 50,000 ft^2 (4500 m^2) LC-39A horizontal integration facility (HIF), capable of housing four rocket boosters. As such, an additional 150,000+ ft^2 could nearly quadruple SpaceX’s booster storage and refurbishment capabilities, all while locating that expansion on a single, easily-accessible lot within close reach of both LC-40 and LC-39A launch pads.
Put more simply, the addition of this new Kennedy Space Center facility would hugely benefit SpaceX’s ability to launch, land, and re-launch its reusable rockets as rapidly as possible, and would enable the simultaneous storage and refurbishment of as many as 16-20 Falcon 9/Heavy boosters and at least a dozen payload fairing halves. If even more capacity is required, nearly half of lot SpaceX wants to lease would be untouched and give the company another 30 acres of land to expand into as launch cadence ramps or BFR prepares for its first launches from Florida.
- An overview of SpaceX’s prospective KSC facility and nearby landmarks. (SpaceX)
- A SpaceX render of what the complex might look like once completed. (SpaceX)
- As described in the environmental assessment, more than half of the lot would be free for future expansion. (SpaceX)
60+ annual launches, rocket ‘gardens’, and a wacky control tower
According to comments in the April 2018 assessment, the readiness of these new storage and refurbishment facilities could potentially pave the way for – as early as 2020 – more than 60 annual Falcon 9 and Heavy launches from the company’s two Florida launch pads a number which doesn’t even include SpaceX’s California launch site, nor its prospective Texas launch facilities. In order to support ambitious Florida-specific launch rates, SpaceX also intends to construct a 300-foot tall Launch and Landing Control Center (LLCC) pulled straight from a Bond villain’s lair on the new property.
The [LLCC] is envisioned to be world-class, architecturally distinctive, and equipped for satellite, cargo, and crew missions.
- SpaceX’s proposed Launch and Landing Control Center (LLCC). The Bond villain is strong with this one… (SpaceX)
- Satellite imagery from Google Maps shows the currently-abandoned site of SpaceX’s prospective Florida expansion. (Google Maps)
Distinctive is certainly a good way to describe the proposed control center. Not to be outdone, SpaceX also included plans for its own private rocket garden, essentially an elegant graveyard for decommissioned or uniquely historic Falcon 9 and Heavy rocket boosters and fairings, as well as Dragon spacecraft. Perhaps there will be room for pathfinder Mars rockets and spaceships in the future… With any luck, both the control center and proposed rocket garden are intended to be at least partially open to the public, something that would undoubtedly be a huge hit while also awkwardly competing with Kennedy Space Center’s Visitor Center, which features its own rocket garden less than a mile away.
Although BFR and Mars were never mentioned specifically, something SpaceX appears to have been quite stringent about over the last several months, the environmental assessment also briefly mentioned future uses for the same facility that might include “new launch vehicle” developments, perhaps requiring a four-lane expansion of the adjacent Robert’s Road somewhere down the line.
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News
Tesla Robotaxi gets a small but significant change
In the world of Tesla, where billion-dollar battery breakthroughs and autonomy milestones dominate headlines, a quiet design update can still pack a punch.
In the world of Tesla, where billion-dollar battery breakthroughs and autonomy milestones dominate headlines, a quiet design update can still pack a punch.
Last week in downtown Austin, sharp-eyed observers spotted a subtle but telling evolution on the Cybercab: a new “ROBOTAXI” logo graphic now graces the vehicle’s doors at Tesla’s Autonomy Popup.
What looks at first glance like a minor stylistic choice is, in fact, a deliberate rebranding move that hints at how the company envisions its robotaxi fleet fitting into everyday life.
The updated lettering is bold, graffiti-inspired, and unapologetically street-smart. Rendered in black with dripping white accents and a glowing yellow outline, the font evokes urban energy and playful irreverence.
Live From Downtown Austin:
Tesla Cybercab with new logo Graphic at their Autonomy Popup pic.twitter.com/MTTb9KDr3b
— David Moss (@DavidMoss) March 13, 2026
Gone is the sleek, minimalist typography that defined earlier Cybercab prototypes. In its place is something more human, almost rebellious.
The new logo pops against the Cybercab’s smooth, metallic body, turning the autonomous pod into a rolling piece of public art rather than just another futuristic taxi.
Designers know that fonts are silent brand ambassadors. They shape perception before a single ride is taken. Tesla’s classic sans-serif aesthetic screams precision engineering and Silicon Valley cool.
The new Robotaxi script leans into accessibility and fun, suggesting the vehicle is approachable, not intimidating. For a product meant to ferry strangers through city streets 24/7, that matters. It signals that the robotaxi isn’t reserved for tech elites; it’s for everyone.
Tesla Cybercab spotted next to Model Y shows size comparison
The timing is no accident. With regulatory approvals for unsupervised autonomy advancing and Tesla preparing to scale Cybercab production, the company is shifting from prototype showcase to fleet deployment.
A fresh logo helps differentiate the vehicles visually in dense urban environments—crucial for rider recognition and brand recall. It also aligns with Elon Musk’s long-standing ethos: make the future feel exciting, not sterile.
Small changes like this often foreshadow a larger strategy. Tesla has always obsessed over details—door handles, screen interfaces, even the curvature of a steering wheel.
Updating the Robotaxi font reflects the same meticulous care now applied to consumer-facing autonomy. It’s not just paint on metal; it’s a statement that the ride of the future should feel personal, memorable, and undeniably cool.
In an industry racing toward self-driving fleets, Tesla’s willingness to evolve even the smallest visual cues shows confidence. A font won’t launch the robotaxi network, but it might just help millions climb aboard with a smile.
News
Tesla makes latest announcement on Model S and Model X
The announcement follows Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s statement on the Q4 2025 earnings call in late January. Musk described the decision as an “honorable discharge” for the two vehicles, noting that production would wind down in Q2 2026.
Tesla has officially begun winding down production of its flagship Model S and Model X in the United States, notifying owners via email that the long-running models will soon reach the end of the line.
The email, sent to U.S. customers on March 27, opens with gratitude. “Model S and Model X marked the beginning of the world’s transition to electric transportation,” it reads. “These vehicles also made it possible for Tesla to develop the technology that would move our world toward autonomy.”
It then delivers the news directly: “As we make way for this autonomous future, Model S and Model X production will be ending. If you’d like to bring home a new Model S or Model X, order yours soon from our limited inventory.”
Tesla just sent out a new email thanking Model S/X owners.
“These vehicles made it possible for Tesla to develop the technology that would move our world toward autonomy. As we make way for this autonomous future, Model S and Model X production will be ending. If you’d like to… pic.twitter.com/IeUhZ3iDnX
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) March 27, 2026
The message closes with a simple thank-you: “Thank you for being part of our journey.”
The announcement follows Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s statement on the Q4 2025 earnings call in late January. Musk described the decision as an “honorable discharge” for the two vehicles, noting that production would wind down in Q2 2026.
The move frees factory floor space at Fremont, California, for next-generation manufacturing, including Optimus humanoid robots and the upcoming Robotaxi platform.
Introduced in 2012 and 2015, respectively, the Model S and Model X were Tesla’s original halo cars. They proved EVs could outperform gasoline luxury vehicles in acceleration, range, and tech features while pioneering over-the-air updates and early autonomy hardware.
Although they never matched the volume of the Model 3 and Model Y, their engineering breakthroughs laid the foundation for the company’s current lineup and full self-driving development.
Early adopters highlighted how the cars convinced them to invest in Tesla stock and the EV movement. Some U.S. owners who had not yet received the note voiced mild frustration, and international customers confirmed the outreach remains U.S.-only for now.
Tesla has not detailed an exact final production date beyond the Q2 2026 target or confirmed immediate replacements. Speculation continues about a possible Cybertruck-derived SUV, but the company’s public focus has shifted squarely to autonomy and robotics.
For buyers still interested in the S or X, the window is closing. Inventory is described as limited, and Tesla’s Korean division has already set a March 31 cutoff for new orders in that market. The email serves as both a farewell and final sales push, an elegant close to a chapter that helped define modern electric driving.
Elon Musk
Tesla drives drunk owner while he naps, Police still arrest him on DUI
A Vacaville man let his Tesla drive while he napped, but police had other ideas.
A Northern California man found a creative solution to drunk driving this week by letting his Tesla drive him around while he took a booze snooze. Police in Vacaville arrested a man on a DUI charge after he was found, what appears to be, completely passed out behind the wheel of a Tesla Model Y, which was safely self-navigating the owner through busy streets. The man’s passenger seat told the rest of the story, with a four-pack of Sutter Home wine bottles and a box of Round Table pizza clearly visible.
According to the Vacaville Police Department, as posted through their Facebook page, a concerned community member spotted the very relaxed driver, stayed on the line with dispatch, and guided officers to the intersection of Elmira Road and Shasta Drive where they stopped the vehicle. Alcohol and marijuana were confirmed. No medical emergency, and what appears to be just an extremely committed drunken nap.
- Tesla drives drunk owner, Police arrest on DUI [Credit: Vacaville Police via Facebook]
- Tesla drunk driver passenger seat , Police arrest on DUI [Credit: Vacaville Police via Facebook]
The Vacaville Police noted that California permits drivers to use assistive driving features like Tesla’s FSD, but the law still requires them to be “conscious, alert, and not under the influence while operating them.” The post drew some humorous reactions in the comments section, with one commenter piping in, “That time when his vehicle had more situational awareness than he did.” Another commenter chimed in, “Sutter all the way home….”
Tesla Full Self-Driving v14.2.1 texting and driving: we tested it
The incident lands in an interesting moment for Tesla. Elon Musk caused his own stir in December 2025 when he responded to a user question about whether FSD v14.2.1 allowed texting behind the wheel with a simple “Depending on context of surrounding traffic, yes.” He had earlier told investors that drivers turning off autopilot to check texts while steering with their knees was “significantly less safe” than simply letting FSD run, which he called “kind of the killer app.” Neither statement included anything about Sutter Home wine being part of the equation.








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