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SpaceX’s next launch could still break rocket reuse record despite more delays
After multiple delays, SpaceX’s next launch is once again ~24 hours out and the Falcon 9 booster assigned to still has a shot at breaking a world record for rocket reuse.
Originally expected to launch as early as early July, SpaceX’s South Korean ANASIS II military communications satellite slipped to July 11th, followed by several more delays to July 19th. After one (hopefully) final slip, ANASIS II is now scheduled to launch no earlier than (NET) 5 pm EDT (21:00 UTC) on Monday, July 20th.
In a sign that SpaceX’s rocket reuse program continues to make progress, the company assigned Falcon 9 booster B1058 to the launch – initially just 45 days after it debuted in support of Crew Dragon’s own May 30th astronaut launch debut.
As previously discussed on Teslarati, a 45-day turnaround would have crushed a 54-day world record held by NASA’s Space Shuttle that was set more than three decades ago. While the Space Shuttle was an orbital vehicle and likely 10-100 times more complex than SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster, the workforce it needed to set that turnaround record was closer to 500-1000 times larger than the teams needed to reuse Falcon 9.
To “reuse” Space Shuttles and the Main Engines (SSMEs; now RS-25s) that powered them, NASA and its contractors had to extensively disassemble and reassemble the vehicles, removing and refurbishing the engines and several thruster pods before reinstalling them. Up to 4000 parts would have to be replaced each launch, while 7000 of the main engines’ 50,000 parts would also have to be replaced periodically. According to NASA, each Shuttle required at least 750,000 work hours of refurbishment and rework between flights. Per comments recently made by CEO Elon Musk, SpaceX may require just a few dozen employees and 4-6 weeks to turn a Falcon 9 booster around. That could mean that as few as 5000-10,000 work hours are required per Falcon 9 reuse, 75-150 times fewer than the Shuttle’s average.
As of now, Falcon 9 booster B1058 could still beat Space Shuttle Atlantis’ 54-day record if it launches before July 23rd. A July 20th launch would still break the Shuttle’s record by three days despite roughly three weeks of ANASIS II mission delays. Notably, most – if not all – of those delays appear to have been caused by issues found on the second stage, new hardware that is expended after every launch. Falcon 9 B1058 completed a successful static fire test on July 11th, just 42 days after it launched astronauts into orbit and just 38 days after the booster returned to dry land after its first flight.
With a little luck, B1058’s proven potential for smashing reuse records will mean that SpaceX is able to rapidly turn the rocket around for future launches, assuming successful landings. For now, SpaceX’s next launch is on track to lift off NET 5 pm EDT (21:00 UTC) on July 20th. In a rarity, SpaceX has a nearly four-hour window to launch, leaving plenty of flexibility if weather or minor technical bugs require some additional time. The company’s official webcast will begin roughly 15 minutes prior to liftoff.
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Tesla has extended its Bay Area ride-hailing service to include pickups and drop-offs at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The update, shared via the company’s official channels on July 21, allows users in the region to request rides directly to and from one of California’s busiest airports.
The expansion builds on Tesla’s secured limousine permit for SFO operations. Public records show the permit became effective March 20, 2026, and remains active through January 31, 2027. Tesla vehicles operating the service now display authorized limousine permits issued by the City and County of San Francisco.
Our Bay Area rideshare service now goes to SFO ✈️
— Tesla AI (@Tesla_AI) July 21, 2026
Tesla’s ride-hailing program in California relies on Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology. Human safety drivers remain present in compliance with state regulations, distinguishing the service from fully driverless operations.
The Bay Area geofence covers a broad area spanning north of San Francisco to south of San Jose, offering extensive connectivity across the region.
UPDATE: Elon Musk reveals why Tesla didn’t say ‘Robotaxi’ upon California launch
This SFO addition follows earlier progress at other Bay Area airports. Tesla previously expanded service to San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) in late 2025. The company had engaged with SFO, SJC, and Oakland International Airport officials as early as September 2025 to secure necessary approvals for passenger transport.
The service provides a new option for travelers seeking electric, app-based transportation integrated with Tesla’s ecosystem. Rides are booked through Tesla’s dedicated ride-hailing application, which handles matching, routing, and payments. Pricing follows standard ride-hailing models, with potential adjustments based on distance, time, and demand.
Tesla’s California ride-hailing program launched in July 2025 with an initial invite-only rollout in the Bay Area. It started alongside operations in Austin, Texas, marking the company’s second major U.S. market.
The Bay Area remains a primary focus in California, with service centered on high-demand corridors connecting residential, commercial, and now major transportation hubs. This latest airport integration represents a practical step in Tesla’s broader mobility ambitions within the state.
Tesla has officially revealed its 2026 Summer Update, which comes with a variety of crazy new features, including Navigation fixes that owners have been wanting for months.
Tesla routinely releases a larger update with the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter updates, where it ships a variety of new features, bug fixes, and other additions to customer cars.
The 2026 Spring Update featured things like “Hey Grok” voice assistance, a redesigned self-driving app, Unreal Engine visual upgrades, and more.
🚨 TESLA’S SUMMER UPDATE FOR 2026 IS HERE:
Featuring:
✅ Self-Driving Stats in Mobile App
✅ Caraoke with Scoring
✅ Automatic Navigation
✅ Preferred Routes
✅ Set Arrival Energy from Mobile App
✅ Send Custom Wraps from Mobile App
✅ Rear Display Lock
✅ Other Improvements
🔌… https://t.co/C9IW3egEhH
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) July 21, 2026
Tesla’s Summer Release has about ten new features; we’ll show you each and detail them below:
New Grok Voice Commands
“Grok can now make phone calls, search and play music, adjust climate, open the glovebox, and answer questions about your Tesla.”
Self-Driving Stats in Mobile App
“View and share self-driving stats from the mobile app.”
Caraoke With Scoring
“Caraoke now scores your singing while in Park. High scores are saved to your Tesla profile.”
Automatic Navigation
“Automatic Navigation now adapts to your routine.
In addition to Home, Work, and upcoming calendar events, your vehicle can now suggest and route to places you visit regularly – like a school drop-off on the way to work, or the gym on the way home.”
Preferred Routes
“For a more personalized experience, navigation now prioritizes routes that you’ve taken before”
Set Arrival Energy from Mobile App
“Set your desired Arrival Energy from your phone.”
Send Custom Wraps from Mobile App
“Skip the USB drive and upload a custom wrap of your car from the mobile app. Instructions for creating a custom wrap here: https://github.com/teslamotors/custom-wraps.”
Rear Display Lock
“Kids can watch content on the rear screen, but only the front row can control it through the rear screen app.”
Other Improvements
- Find Superchargers by name when searching for a destination
- Add Apple Music songs to queue from search and artist page
- Set your preferred zoom level for the Self-Driving visualization
- Intro animations for new Model 3 and Y
Tesla’s reason for Starlink integration on Cybercab might surprise you, as the company’s Head of AI, Ashok Elluswamy, finally shed some light on the reason they are putting a satellite internet terminal on its ride-hailing-geared vehicle.
On Monday, Tesla officially confirmed that it would integrate Starlink V5 terminals into Cybercab vehicles, something many Tesla fans had figured the company would do, as the vehicle is primarily geared toward giving rides without any passenger intervention.
Starlink V5 directly integrated in Cybercab pic.twitter.com/FxzTtzjB6I
— Tesla (@Tesla) July 20, 2026
The ability to access the internet would allow riders to work or play in the car with their devices. It seemed like a more-than-reasonable feature to add to the Cybercab, which made its way off the production lines for the first time earlier this year.
Tesla reveals first vehicle model to receive Starlink integration
However, the move is not for the rider, as Elluswamy confirmed on Monday night. Instead, it’s actually for Tesla to be able to have a constant connection to the cars in the Robotaxi fleet so it can troubleshoot issues, contact riders, or resolve other issues.
Elluswamy said:
“It is still not required for safe operation of the vehicle. Connectivity is primarily meant for navigation, customer service and, in general, fleet management.”
It is still not required for safe operation of the vehicle. Connectivity is primarily meant for navigation, customer service and, in general, fleet management.
— Ashok Elluswamy (@aelluswamy) July 20, 2026
Many initially assumed the option of constant connectivity would be enabled on the Cybercab for passenger entertainment or work. With the Cybercab, passengers won’t be doing anything but enjoying the ride, so it seemed more than logical that they would be hanging out with Starlink internet access as an amenity.
However, Tesla’s primary concern with Robotaxi is safety, and nailing these first unsupervised rides is a crucial step to setting a good narrative on how effective driverless transportation can be.
Being able to get in touch with passengers or a vehicle if something is wrong is a crucial part of the overall experience, and preventative measures are being taken by Tesla to ensure a smooth process, even in the worst-case.
Tesla expands ridesharing service in California to new hotspot
Tesla reveals 2026 Summer Update with crazy fixes to Nav and more
