News
SpaceX moves next high-altitude Starship to launch pad after fixing fall damage
Update: Right on schedule, SpaceX rolled Starship serial number 9 (SN9) out of its ‘high bay’ assembly roost and transported the 50-meter-tall (~165 ft) stainless steel rocket to a launch pad about a mile down the road.
Wasting no time at all after having preemptively delivered a large crane from factory to pad the day prior, SpaceX began the process of lifting and installing Starship SN9 on one of two simple launch mounts less than three hours after arrival and began securing the rocket to the stand less than an hour after that. As discussed below, it’s nothing short of spectacular (and possibly unprecedented) that Starship SN9 was a victim of a workstand collapse, suffered some damage as a result, had that damage repaired or parts replaced, and was ready to roll to the launch pad to start pre-launch testing within a span of eleven days.
Additionally, SN9’s arrival means that SpaceX has now delivered a second complete Starship less than two weeks after Starship SN8 became the first full-size prototype to launch to high altitude atop multiple Raptor engines and skydive back to Earth. With the landing pad yet to be fully cleared after that launch debut, the crash-landed wreckage of SN8’s nose is even visible behind Starship SN9 in unofficial coverage of the new rocket’s pad transport and launch mount installation. As of December 22nd, SpaceX has one more road closure scheduled on Dec 23, followed by a trio from 8 am to 5 pm CST (UTC-6) from Dec 28-30. Stay tuned for updates as SpaceX prepares the second full-size Starship ever for tank proof and static fire testing!
A handful of days after a workstand collapse threatened to end SpaceX’s next high-altitude Starship before it could leave the cradle, the rocket appears to have shrugged off whatever damage was caused with ease.
On the morning of December 11th and less than 24 hours after SpaceX investors and VIPs like COO Gwynne Shotwell and CEO Elon Musk were standing almost underneath the rocket, an unknown issue cause Starship SN9’s workstand to partially collapse. Seemingly through sheer luck, the part of the circular stand that collapsed was towards the corner of the ‘high bay’ building housing SN9, causing the rocket to tip around five degrees before colliding with the wall’s steel frame.
Again, by some stroke of luck, the same angle of Starship SN9’s fall that prevented the rocket from tipping over onto Super Heavy’s in-work tank section (with workers possibly inside) seemingly allowed its flaps to absorb the bulk of that impact. One of two pairs used to keep the ship steady during a skydiver-like freefall maneuver, SN9’s forward and aft starboard flaps suffered obvious damage, perhaps unintentionally functioning like the crumple zones designed to protect passengers during car crashes.
Aside from one or two subtle dents caused by the thoroughly off-axis stresses, the rest of the fully-assembled vehicle remained visibly untouched, though it was a near-complete unknown if Starship was capable of surviving such an ordeal. For 99% of the world’s rockets, almost all of which are either built out of aluminum or carbon fiber, tipping from a vertical position into a steel wall at anything less than a snail’s pace would likely be the end of any normal propellant tank – probably up to and including even SpaceX’s own reusable Falcon boosters. At a minimum, extensive repairs would be required.
On December 20th, nine days after the incident and six days after a crane lifted SN9 back into a stable position, SpaceX quietly replaced the Starship’s crumpled forward flap after having removed both damaged flaps in the days prior. The installation of that replacement flap – possibly taken from Starship SN10’s nose – all but confirmed a best-case scenario, as it would be hard to remove the damaged hardware and install a new flap so quickly if the underlying hinge and mounting mechanisms had been damaged in the fall. If only the aft – but not forward – flap mechanism was somehow damaged, it would also make little sense to install a new forward flap.
Meanwhile, in another kind of encouraging sign, SpaceX moved the crane needed to lift Starships onto the launch mount from the build site to the launch pad on December 21st – right on schedule. It’s extremely unlikely that SpaceX would complete that move unless it was confident that a Starship prototype would be ready to roll to the launch pad, further implying that Starship SN9 really has shrugged off its workplace accident after less than two weeks of delays. Stay tuned for updates – road closures that could be used to transport SN9 are still in place from around 8 am to 5 pm CST on December 22nd and 23rd.
Tesla is offering a crazy choice on the Model 3 to help with its end-of-quarter push, but it is only available in Canada.
Tesla has been offering some pretty crazy incentives to help move vehicles in various markets, including discounts, Supercharging, and other offers.
In Canada, it is offering something pretty crazy: a $5,000 discount or Free Supercharging for life:
Tesla Canada 👀 pic.twitter.com/Gbk8D2VX5J
— Joe Taylor (@Joe_D_Taylor) September 23, 2025
This would bring the price of the two Tesla Model 3 configurations:
- Tesla Model 3 RWD – $49,990
- Tesla Model 3 LRAWD – $56,990
- Tesla Model 3 Performance – $64,990
The offer only stands if delivery is taken by September 30. The company describes the terms and conditions:
“Orders will default to $5,000 off total purchase price, deducted pre-tax. Requires you to contact Tesla to switch promotion to free Supercharging if desired. Supercharging promotion is tied to your Tesla Account and cannot be transferred to another vehicle, person or order, even in the case of ownership transfer. Used vehicles and vehicles used for commercial purposes (like taxi, rideshare and delivery services) are excluded from this promotion. You are still responsible for Supercharger fees, like idle and congestion fees, when applicable. Redeemable only at Tesla-owned Superchargers. Tesla reserves the right in its sole discretion to remove the free Supercharging from your vehicle in the event of excessive charging. “
The $5,000 discount in Canada, or the unlimited Free Supercharging, is a massive deal, as it benefits those looking for a deal or those who plan to use the car as a daily driver.
Tesla offers new deal on used inventory that you won’t want to pass up
Tesla has used a lot of different deals this quarter to help push cars out and bolster Q3 delivery figures.
- Lifetime Free Supercharging or $5,000 discount on Model 3 in Canada
- 1 Year Free Supercharging on Inventory Cybertruck, Model S, Model X in the U.S.
- 18 Months free Supercharging on Model 3 in the U.S.
- Lifetime Free Supercharging with Luxe Package on Model S and Model X in the U.S.
- Up to $2,000 off Model 3 and Model Y Inventory in the U.S.
These deals have all contributed to an increase in demand and minimal vehicle inventory in various markets.
Investor's Corner
Wall Street firm makes shock move for Tesla Q3 delivery prediction
“[The company should have] strong deliveries in the US as Tesla pushes, and consumers take advantage of, the $7,500 IRA EV tax credit before its expiry at the end of September 2025.”
A Wall Street firm is making a shocking move ahead of Tesla’s Q3 delivery report, increasing its forecast for the quarter.
Tesla is set to report its deliveries for the third quarter sometime next week at the beginning of October. There has been quite a bit of speculation about Tesla’s performance in terms of deliveries for the quarter, as many firms and investors are curious about how strong it could be.
There have been a few things working in Tesla’s favor, including the removal of the $7,500 EV tax credit, which stimulated demand as consumers wanted to take advantage of the discount before it was no longer available.
🚨 Wall Street firm UBS lifted its Q3 delivery forecast for Tesla $TSLA to 475,000 units from 431,000 units.
UBS believes there will be “strong deliveries in the US as Tesla pushes, and consumers take advantage of, the $7,500 IRA EV tax credit before its expiry at the end of… pic.twitter.com/lKmvvvi3Hl
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) September 23, 2025
Tesla also has launched an attractive revamp to the Model Y this year, which was the best-selling car in the world for the past two years. These two points have helped Tesla with demand specifically this year, but this quarter has been especially strong because of the tax credit phase-out.
With that being said, one Wall Street firm chose to push its delivery prediction for the third quarter up about ten percent.
Tesla makes a big change to reflect new IRS EV tax credit rules
UBS analysts said they adjusted their delivery targets for Tesla from 431,000 to 475,000, stating it was “more in line with buyside expectations in the 470-475k range.”
The firm continued:
“[The company should have] strong deliveries in the US as Tesla pushes, and consumers take advantage of, the $7,500 IRA EV tax credit before its expiry at the end of September 2025.”
If it manages to reach what UBS thinks it will, deliveries would be the highest for Tesla since late 2024, and the firm believes it could “potentially [be] the highest ever” for the company in a single quarter.
Tesla delivered over 495,000 cars in Q4 2024, so it would truly need an anomaly to capture that crown in Q3.
For the full year, UBS believes Tesla will deliver 1.62 million cars in 2025.
News
Tesla’s ‘Unboxed Process’ patent highlights affordability through efficiency
The process includes utilizing past methods that Tesla has brought into automotive manufacturing, including Gigacasting and structural battery integration, with more efficient “post-manufacturing” processes, like pre-painting.
Tesla has been granted a new patent for its “Unboxed Process” of manufacturing, which aims to enhance affordability for customers by increasing efficiency at the manufacturing stage.
This is one way the company aims to create a larger impact from start to finish, especially with upcoming vehicles. For those who are not familiar, the Unboxed Process was first unveiled by Tesla back in 2023 during its “Investor Day.”
The company brought forth the idea that vehicle manufacturing could shift from traditional assembly lines, making production more efficient, more cost-effective, and more scalable for the future, especially with mass-market models like Cybercab.
The process includes utilizing past methods that Tesla has brought into automotive manufacturing, including Gigacasting and structural battery integration, with more efficient “post-manufacturing” processes, like pre-painting.
Tesla describes the main advantages in the patent:
“The present disclosure relates to an automated system and method for assembling exterior vehicle parts to a vehicle assembly structure. The system utilizes an automated assembly cell with fixtures corresponding to each exterior vehicle part and references a global datum for precise alignment…The method improves assembly efficiency by compensating for substructure irregularities with an engineered adhesive gap and allows for continued assembly during adhesive curing through tacking operations.”
Instead of traditional welding strategies, the company plans to use a different bonding method, through adhesives.
The patent goes on:
“In described examples, a modular vehicle architecture allows for the assembly of a vehicle in sections, which are then joined in a final assembly operation. This approach eliminates the traditional need for welding stamped panels and applying secondary coatings or painting at the full vehicle assembly level. Instead, the vehicle can be constructed in parts, with metal surface treatments like e-coating and painting applied beforehand.”
The goal behind this manufacturing process is that Tesla will be able to build more vehicles at a faster rate for a lower price, something it believes it will need to accomplish as it addresses autonomy and Robotaxis, which are in higher demand.
With this rate of speed of manufacturing, Tesla says traditional manufacturing methods have the potential consequence of “compounding errors,” as “any slight misalignment or variance can add up.”
There is a refined focus on efficiency, while also recognizing the importance of build quality. This should eliminate most of the issues Tesla would confront with its current, more traditional, linear manufacturing processes.
Tesla is offering a crazy choice on Model 3 to help with end of quarter push
Wall Street firm makes shock move for Tesla Q3 delivery prediction
Tesla’s ‘Unboxed Process’ patent highlights affordability through efficiency
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