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SpaceX Starship rocket gets new Raptor engine for Starhopper-style hop test debut
SpaceX has decided to install a different Raptor engine on its fourth full-scale Starship prototype in the buildup to the next-generation rocket’s inaugural flight test.
Starship SN4 recently became the first prototype to pass a cryogenic proof test, followed by two successful Raptor engine static fire tests and an even more successful pressure test on May 9th. Set to occur as early as later this month, that string of successes means that Starship SN4 is now all but guaranteed to become the first prototype to take flight. According to photos and information from CEO Elon Musk and FCC filings, that first hop – regardless of the ship – will be powered by a single off-center Raptor engine and likely follow in the footsteps of Starhopper, targeting a max hop height of 150m (~500 ft).
This time around, though, Starship SN4 will be around twice as tall as Starhopper, making for quite a spectacle regardless of the outcome. Currently, SpaceX has already received FCC authorization for Starship communications and is mainly just waiting on FAA approval for the short hop test – a license to launch that Musk suggested could arrive more than a “few weeks” after April 26th. Before Starship is technically ready for that milestone, however, one more test must be completed.
SpaceX has already successfully performed two static fire tests with a Raptor engine (likely SN18) installed on Starship SN4 on May 5th and 7th but the company has decided to replace that particular engine for unknown reasons. Raptor SN18 was removed from SN4 the morning after its (presumably) successful second static fire test, a move that is believed to have been made to avoid losing an engine in the event that a more ambitious cryogenic pressure test destroyed Starship.
As it turned out, that caution was unnecessary and Starship SN4 passed said pressure test with flying colors, reaching a planned maximum pressure of 7.5 bar (110 psi) – technically enough to qualify the rocket’s structure for (uncrewed) orbital launches.
For whatever reason, though, SpaceX has decided to replace Raptor SN18 with Raptor SN20, another of three engines currently on site at SpaceX’s South Texas rocket build and test facilities. That engine swap means that another Starship/Raptor static fire test is now needed to ensure that the new engine has been installed correctly and that both it and Starship are functioning as intended. As of now, SpaceX has scheduled that third static fire as early as Monday, May 11th, with a test window open from 9am to 9pm CDT (UTC-5).
If that static fire and include wet dress rehearsal (WDR) is successful, Starship will technically be cleared for flight. The only obvious missing piece is an attitude control system (ACS). Starhopper, for example, used cold nitrogen gas thrusters quite literally taken off of flight-proven Falcon boosters. It remains to be seen if SpaceX will take the same approach with Starship SN4 or if a different kind of ACS thruster is already installed on the rocket and hidden in plain sight. For now, it looks like we won’t have to wait long at all to find out.
Tesla is planning for a new 300+ stall Supercharger station that will be an expansion of an existing facility, and the company is planning to add a surprise for the Semi.
The Firebaugh, California Supercharger is currently 72 Superchargers, but Tesla filed for an expansion that will add 232 additional plugs for passenger vehicles, and it also plans to add 16 Semichargers.
This will be the biggest Supercharger station Tesla will have to date, just months after it finished the Supercharger Oasis in Lost Hills, California, which has 168 stalls. This will have 304 total Supercharger stalls, and then the additional 16 Megachargers.
🚨 This Supercharger station will have 304 total stalls and 16 Semichargers following this expansion
Absolutely INSANE size 🔥
This is located on I-5, so many semis will be traveling along this route https://t.co/hM9hdLcWwg
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 13, 2026
The Firebaugh Supercharger is located on I-5, which is a major reason for why Tesla has chosen the location for additional Megacharger plug-ins, as Tesla Semi Program Manager Dan Priestley said on X earlier today.
Lots of trucks to electrify on I-5
— Dan Priestley (@danWpriestley) January 13, 2026
The project was revealed by MarcoRP, a Supercharger tracker.
The expansion is a massive signal for charging demand, especially as Tesla’s Superchargers are opened to numerous automakers and are no longer exclusive to the company’s EVs. Additionally, the installation of Megachargers is a good sign to come for the Tesla Semi program, which aims to truly ramp up this year.
Tesla plans to launch production of the Semi later this year.
It could also mean Tesla is going to expand its footprint of large-scale Supercharger projects in the coming years, which would be a big boost as EV adoption continues to soar in the United States.
Tesla has made two big interior changes to several Model Y vehicles in its lineup, and the changes come just as the new model year begins production.
Last year, Tesla launched the Model Y Standard, which separated the previous models into the “Premium” category. The Standard vehicles lack several features, including more premium interior materials, acoustic-lined glass, and storage.
@teslarati There are some BIG differences between the Tesla Model Y Standard and Tesla Model Y Premium #tesla #teslamodely ♬ Sia – Xeptemper
The Model Y “Premium” trims are now getting several new upgrades, which come after the company launched a seven-seat configuration of the vehicle last night in the North American market for an upcharge of $2,500.
The new Model Y seven-seat configuration did not come with just an additional row of seating; it also came with a slew of other goodies that now come standard and were previously only available on the Model Y Performance, which was launched late last year.
All Black Headliner
The new Tesla Model Y Premium trims will now come standard with a black headliner, something that many owners have been requesting for some time.
The previous grey headliner and trim within the vehicle is now gone; it will be all black on all of the Premium trims from here on out, a welcome change:
Credit: Tesla
Larger and Higher Resolution Center Touchscreen
The center touchscreen in the new Model Y Premium configuration is now larger and has a higher resolution than the previous version.
In last year’s Model Y configurations (apart from the Performance), the center touchscreen was 15.4″. Now, Tesla has decided to go with the 16″ version across all Premium trims, which is a nice step up. It was nice to see this in the Performance, but it is really great to see Tesla include this in the Model Y’s more Premium trim levels.
Tesla Model Y Seven Seater
Tesla launched the latest iteration of the seven-seater for the Model Y on Monday night. Traditionally, the Model Y seats five passengers in total, but there were calls for a more spacious version several years ago.
Tesla released it, but it was extremely tight in the back, basically reserving those back seats for only small people or children.
Credit: Tesla
The new configuration looks to be slightly more spacious in the third row, but not as much space as most would require or want. Instead,
Elon Musk
Lufthansa Group to equip Starlink on its 850-aircraft fleet
Under the collaboration, Lufthansa Group will install Starlink technology on both its existing fleet and all newly delivered aircraft, as noted by the group in a press release.
Lufthansa Group has announced a partnership with Starlink that will bring high-speed internet connectivity to every aircraft across all its carriers.
This means that aircraft across the group’s brands, from Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian Airlines to Brussels Airlines, would be able to enjoy high-speed internet access using the industry-leading satellite internet solution.
Starlink in-flight internet
Under the collaboration, Lufthansa Group will install Starlink technology on both its existing fleet and all newly delivered aircraft, as noted by the group in a press release.
Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites are expected to provide significantly higher bandwidth and lower latency than traditional in-flight Wi-Fi, which should enable streaming, online work, and other data-intensive applications for passengers during flights.
Starlink-powered internet is expected to be available on the first commercial flights as early as the second half of 2026. The rollout will continue through the decade, with the entire Lufthansa Group fleet scheduled to be fully equipped with Starlink by 2029. Once complete, no other European airline group will operate more Starlink-connected aircraft.
Free high-speed access
As part of the initiative, Lufthansa Group will offer the new high-speed internet free of charge to all status customers and Travel ID users, regardless of cabin class. Chief Commercial Officer Dieter Vranckx shared his expectations for the program.
“In our anniversary year, in which we are celebrating Lufthansa’s 100th birthday, we have decided to introduce a new high-speed internet solution from Starlink for all our airlines. The Lufthansa Group is taking the next step and setting an essential milestone for the premium travel experience of our customers.
“Connectivity on board plays an important role today, and with Starlink, we are not only investing in the best product on the market, but also in the satisfaction of our passengers,” Vranckx said.
Tesla plans for new 300+ stall Supercharger with a special surprise for Semi
Tesla makes two big interior changes to several Model Y vehicles
