SpaceX is conducting Starlink tests in Romania to improve services. Starlink tests started in July and are expected to last 6 months. SpaceX is working on the project with Romania’s National Authority for Administration and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM).
SpaceX’s Starlink tests in Romania aim to demonstrate that a global rule, the limits of non-geostationary satellites like Starlink, can be relaxed. The rule dates back to the 1990s and was set to ensure that new-generation, non-geostationary satellites don’t affect the operation of classic, geostationary satellites. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU)—a United Nations agency—developed and imposes the global rule.
The ITU’s rule limits the power low-orbit satellites like Starlink can transmit to and from ground equipment. The limit is called the Equivalent Power Flux Density (EPFD).
Earlier this year, SpaceX sent a letter to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging it to revise its satellite rules, referring to the EPFD limit.
“The time has come to unleash the power of next-generation satellite systems to connect the American people in every corner of the country by revising antiquated power restrictions to match the modern space age,” wrote SpaceX in the letter.
In a recent X post, Elon Musk addressed SpaceX’s issue with the EPFD limit.
“The rule should be that Starlink can operate at whatever power level does not disrupt other communication systems, not some arbitrarily low power limit.”
This is really important.
The rule should be that Starlink can operate at whatever power level does not disrupt other communication systems, not some arbitrarily low power limit!— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 1, 2024
Read SpaceX’s letter to the FCC below!
SpaceX Starlink Tests in Romania 2024 by Maria Merano on Scribd
If you have any tips, contact me at maria@teslarati.com or via X @Writer_0100110.
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Tesla is looking to conduct FSD tests in new Swedish city: report
The proposal appears to have been received rather positively by one of the city’s officials.

Recent reports have suggested that Tesla is looking at another city in Sweden to test its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system on public roads. The proposal appears to have been received rather positively by one of the city’s officials.
Tesla FSD tests in Sweden
FSD has already been deployed in numerous territories such as the United States, China, and Australia. However, the system is yet to be released in Europe. As per a recent report from Värmlands Folkblad, Tesla has sent a request for FSD testing to the capital of Värmland, Karlstad. As noted in a CarUp report, Tesla is already testing FSD on motorways after the company secured permission from the Swedish Transport Agency.
The Municipality of Karlstad has reportedly not issued a decision regarding Tesla’s request yet, though lawmakers seem open to the idea of FSD being tested on public roads. In a comment to VF, municipal councilor Linda Larsson stated that FSD tests in Karlstad “sounds interesting.” Tesla’s FSD tests, if they are approved, will still use safety drivers behind the wheel who will be ready to intervene at any time.
Tesla pledges to work with the municipality
In its request, Tesla noted that Karlstad is an interesting municipality in which to conduct its tests. The company also stated that it would conduct its operations and tests in close collaboration with the municipality, as well as local entities. Considering the municipal councilor’s comments, it does appear that Tesla might have a solid chance at attaining permission to test FSD on Karlstad’s roads.
Tesla’s success for FSD tests in Sweden has been mixed. A few months ago, reports emerged stating that the company’s request to test FSD in Stockholm had been rejected by the Swedish Traffic Department.
“The Traffic Office is currently working on updating its approach to automation. At the same time, the city and the office are under heavy pressure from other ongoing innovation tests. Our ambition is to actively participate in and learn from the continued development in the field of automation.
“Based on this, and in combination with the fact that the current test is the first of its kind, which entails certain risks for both infrastructure and third parties, and that it is planned to be carried out throughout the city, the City of Stockholm considers it is currently not possible to approve the implementation of the test,” the Swedish Traffic Department stated.
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Waymo faces federal probe after self-driving taxi fails to stop for school bus
In a statement, a Waymo representative stated that the company has “already developed and implemented improvements” that should help its fleet avoid similar incidents in the future.

Federal regulators have launched an investigation into Waymo’s self-driving vehicles after reports that one of its autonomous taxis failed to stop properly for a school bus.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that it’s reviewing around 2,000 Waymo vehicles following concerns that its autonomous systems may have violated traffic laws.
Waymo under review
According to a Reuters report, the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation began the probe after flagging a media report involving a Waymo self-driving taxi that did not remain stationary when approaching a school bus. At the time of the incident, the school bus had its red lights flashing, its stop arm was deployed, and its crossing control arm was extended.
As per the ODI’s report, the Waymo initially stopped beside the bus before maneuvering around its front. This resulted in the vehicle passing the school bus’ extended stop arm and crossing control arm. Students from the bus were disembarking when the Waymo committed the error. The vehicle was operating without a safety driver at the time, and it was equipped with Waymo’s fifth-generation Automated Driving System (ADS).
Software fix already in place
In a statement, a Waymo representative stated that the company has “already developed and implemented improvements related to stopping for school buses and will land additional software updates in our next software release.” The spokesperson also highlighted that Waymo prioritizes the safety of pedestrians, especially children, in its vehicles’ operations.
“Driving safely around children has always been one of Waymo’s highest priorities. In the event referenced, the vehicle approached the school bus from an angle where the flashing lights and stop sign were not visible and drove slowly around the front of the bus before driving past it, keeping a safe distance from children,” Waymo noted.
Waymo, which is owned by Alphabet, operates a fleet of more than 1,500 robotaxis in major U.S. cities, including Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Austin. The company continues to expand its footprint and plans future operations in Tokyo and London.
News
Kia and Tesla top list in Swedish study of strongest EV batteries
A major Swedish study has revealed which electric vehicles hold their battery health the best, and Kia and Tesla came out on top.

A major Swedish study has revealed which electric vehicles hold their battery health the best, and Kia and Tesla came out on top.
Swedish car broker Kvdbil initiated a test of more than 1,300 used BEVs and plug-in hybrids to determine which models retain the best battery capacity over time. Based on the study’s results, the Kia EV6, Kia e-Niro, and the Tesla Model Y were deemed the best.
Kia and Tesla lead the pack
Kvdbil’s test results are bullish for electric vehicles as a whole. The study showed that eight out of ten used electric cars still had at least 90% of their original battery capacity. Kia’s EV6 and e-Niro finished first and second in the rankings, while Tesla’s Model Y came in third. As per CarInfo data, Sweden currently has 12,148 Kia EV6 registered, while there are 48,488 Model Y.
In a comment to the media, test manager Martin Reinholdsson stated, “They are actually better than we thought. We were a bit surprised that there were so many that were this good.”
In a way, Tesla’s strong performance in the test carries extra weight since the Model Y is one of Sweden’s best-selling EVs, giving the test a much larger sample size compared to Kia’s smaller but highly rated fleet.
Battery tech, driver habits, and age all play a role
Kvdbil noted that the test’s standout results could be attributed to advanced battery management systems and careful engineering, as noted in a report from the Sweden Herald. At the same time, the study also found that factors like charging routines, driving style, and the age of a vehicle can influence capacity retention.
Rounding out the top ten were entries from Opel, Mazda, Audi, Fiat, Volvo, Citroën, and Volkswagen, as noted in a CarUp report.
This is not the first time that Tesla’s battery prowess has shown its strength. Last year, reports emerged stating that a Tesla Model S 90D from Chesterfield, UK, had traveled 430,000 miles on its original motors and batteries. Over that period, which was comprised of constant Supercharging sessions due to the car being used as an airport taxi, the Model S 90D only lost 65 miles of range.
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