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SpaceX sends Starship prototype to launch pad after engine installation
After several weeks of work back at SpaceX’s Starbase rocket factory, the company has transported a new and improved Starship prototype to nearby test and launch facilities, where it joined a similarly upgraded Super Heavy booster.
That Starship prototype – Ship 24 or S24 – is closely following in the footsteps of Super Heavy Booster 7 (B7), which kicked off a similar phase of preflight testing about two weeks ago. The purposes of their latest trips from the factory to the launch pad are also largely the same and could potentially open the door for Starship’s inaugural orbital launch attempt sometime later this year if the process goes smoothly. Both protypes have a ways to go, however.
Booster 7 and Ship 24 got off to fairly rocky starts when they began a less risky phase of proof testing in May and June. Apparently caused by improper sequencing or a small design flaw, a large steel tube meant to carry liquid methane fuel through Booster 7’s liquid oxygen tank and double as a storage vessel for landing propellant violently imploded when a vacuum formed inside it. It took SpaceX several weeks to repair the damage but, defying the odds, the tube was eventually repaired and Booster 7 completed another two proof tests soon after.
A few weeks later, during one of Ship 24’s first tests, a much smaller internal pipe – likely carrying high-pressure gas – also failed, damaging heat shield tiles and other adjacent plumbing. S24’s troubles were less dramatic and only took a few days to fix, but both were still new failure modes for the Starship program and served as a reminder that Starship hardware remains relatively immature and that SpaceX is still learning. Nonetheless, they also demonstrated SpaceX’s ability to respond quickly to new problems, as both B7 and S24 sailed through additional testing without apparent issue after quick repairs.
After completing cryogenic proof and thrust simulation testing, B7 and S24 returned to SpaceX’s factory facilities for Raptor installation and finishing touches. SpaceX took about six weeks to install 33 Raptor engines and associated heat shielding on Booster 7, while installing six Raptors and wrapping up a few other aspects of Ship 24 took about four weeks.
Aside from the installation of most of the Starship’s missing heat shield tiles, Ship 24’s preparations did include one particularly unique step involving its payload bay prototype. SpaceX’s first stab at a Starship payload bay has been likened to a giant Pez dispenser, which is not entirely inaccurate. Exclusive to Starlink, satellites will be stored on a rectangular rack that’s assumed to operate like an elevator. As an unknown mechanism pushes two satellites at a time through Starship’s slot-like bay door, the stack of satellites will feed downwards like bullets in a magazine until the full set is fully deployed.
In late June, SpaceX attached a giant white box to a crane and positioned the box to interface with Ship 24’s bay door, where it hung for the better part of a day. The test confirmed speculation that the box was meant to solve perhaps the most obvious problem SpaceX’s unique payload bay design posed: payload installation. SpaceX’s solution appears to involve using the deployment mechanism in reverse, with the white box conveying Starlink Gen2 satellites through the ‘slot’ and the dispenser grabbing and lifting each pair up into the bay.
It’s possible that Ship 24 will have a handful of Starlink V2/Gen2 satellites loaded into its bay if it passes its next tests. Before being cleared for flight, Ship 24 will need to complete at least one nominal wet dress rehearsal (simulating every aspect of a launch short of engine ignition) and one six-engine static fire, though several tests are far more likely. Starship S24’s test campaign will benefit significantly from Starship S20, which survived extensive testing (and multiple six-Raptor static fires) in 2021. In comparison, Super Heavy B7’s similar wet dress rehearsal and static fire test campaign will be almost entirely new to SpaceX, save for a single three-engine static fire completed by an outdated booster prototype last year.
SpaceX could attempt to static fire Booster 7 for the first time as early as Wednesday, July 6th. It’s unclear if the company will attempt to kick off Ship 24’s next round of testing in the gaps between Super Heavy B7’s static fire testing. While unlikely, SpaceX is technically capable of testing Ship 24 and Booster 7 simultaneously.
Tesla is launching its solution to end Supercharger fights once and for all, eliminating any confusion on who is to charge next at a congested location.
Last year, a notable incident at a Tesla Supercharger led to a fight, and it all stemmed from a disagreement over who arrived at the location first.
Congestion at Tesla Superchargers is a pretty infrequent occurrence for most of us, but there are more congested and popular areas where wait times can be extensive. An unfortunate growing pain of EV ownership is the plain fact that chargers are not as available as gas pumps, and there are, at times, lines to charge.
This can cause tensions to flare and people to get entitled when visiting Superchargers. Nobody wants to spend hours at a Supercharger, but now, there will be no more confusion when there is a queue, and that’s thanks to Tesla’s new Virtual Queue for Superchargers.
Tesla is finally starting to build out the Virtual Supercharger Queue, according to Not a Tesla App, but it still relies on drivers to make it work.
When a driver is near a Supercharger that is full, a message will pop up on the Tesla App, using the driver’s location to determine their eligibility to join the virtual queue.
The app states:
“While the app is closed, Tesla uses your location to notify you of accurate wait times at Superchargers when you arrive.”
Another message within the app states:
“There is a waitlist to charge. Are you sure you want to start a charging session now?”
This sounds as if it will require drivers to act appropriately and only plug in when the app prompts them to do so, by letting them know it is their turn.
The app will notify the driver of their position in the queue, as well as how many vehicles are ahead of them.
Tesla launches first ‘true’ East Coast V4 Supercharger: here’s what that means
The company announced a while back that it would be working on a solution for this issue. Personally, I’ve only had to wait at a Supercharger for a charge on one occasion, and there was a line of between 3 and 10 cars during this singular occurrence.
I’m out at the Lancaster, PA Supercharger and showed up with a queue of three vehicles.
It’s now up to five and there have been several issues with order of arrival and confusion about who is first.
Any update on Supercharger queue? @elonmusk @aelluswamy @r_jegaa
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 31, 2026
There were no conflicts or arguments about who had arrived first, but there was some discussion between several drivers during my time there about who was to charge first. Throw a non-Tesla EV into the mix, one that can only charge at a pull-in spot, and that causes even more of a complication.
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Tesla offers awesome Free Supercharging incentive on an unexpected vehicle
In the past, Tesla has used Free Supercharging to incentivize the purchase of its expensive vehicles, like the Model S and Model X. However, those vehicles are leaving the company lineup, and Tesla saw a benefit from applying the incentive to another car.
Tesla is offering an awesome new Free Supercharging incentive on a vehicle that is sort of unexpected.
In the past, Tesla has used Free Supercharging to incentivize the purchase of its expensive vehicles, like the Model S and Model X. However, those vehicles are leaving the company lineup, and Tesla saw a benefit from applying the incentive to another car.
Tesla North America has introduced a compelling new incentive aimed at boosting Model 3 sales. Starting with orders placed on or after April 24, buyers of the Model 3 Premium (Long Range) and Performance variants in the United States will receive one full year of complimentary Supercharging.
The offer applies exclusively to new vehicle orders and does not extend to existing owners or other trims like the base Rear-Wheel Drive model.
New orders of Model 3 Premium & Performance now come with 1 year of free Supercharging 🇺🇸
Also, all Teslas pay the lowest Supercharging rates – all others pay a ~40% premium or need a subscription
— Tesla North America (@tesla_na) April 24, 2026
The announcement underscores Tesla’s continued dominance in EV charging infrastructure.
While the incentive provides 12 months of zero-cost access to the Supercharger network, Tesla also reiterated its pricing structure: all Tesla vehicles receive the lowest Supercharging rates.
Non-Tesla EVs, by contrast, pay approximately 40 percent more per kWh or must purchase a subscription to access the network at standard rates. This tiered approach highlights the strategic value of owning a Tesla, where seamless integration with the world’s largest and most reliable fast-charging network remains a key differentiator.
For prospective buyers, the savings can be substantial. Depending on driving habits, a typical Model 3 owner might log 12,000–15,000 miles annually.
With average Supercharging costs around $0.40–$0.50 per kWh, one year of free sessions could translate to $800–$1,200 in avoided expenses.
That effectively lowers the total cost of ownership and makes long-distance travel more affordable from day one. Early delivery customers have already noted similar past incentives, with one Cybertruck owner reporting over $2,400 saved in just six months under similar offers that Tesla has deployed in the past.
The timing of the offer appears strategic. Tesla faces growing competition from other automakers expanding their own charging networks and offering aggressive EV incentives.
By bundling free Supercharging rather than discounting the vehicle’s MSRP, Tesla preserves perceived value while directly addressing one of the biggest barriers for new EV adopters: charging costs and convenience.
The move also encourages higher-mileage use of the network, generating valuable real-world data for Tesla’s autonomous driving development.
Why Tesla would apply this incentive to the Model 3 is pretty interesting. It usually is a pretty good incentive to move units out the door, so there’s some speculation whether Tesla is planning to launch new upgrades to the mass-market sedan in the coming months, and the company wants to move what will be outdated units from its inventory.
However, there is also just the idea that Tesla could be attempting to stimulate some early quarter demand for the Model 3, especially as the Model Y continues to sell very well. Tesla’s loss of the $7,500 EV tax credit last year had an impact on sales, and Tesla might be testing some formidable options to see if it can add some demand once again.
News
Tesla Cybercab gets crazy change as mass production begins
Tesla has officially kicked off mass production of its groundbreaking Cybercab robotaxi at Giga Texas, and the first units rolling off the line feature a striking transformation that’s turning heads across the EV community.
Tesla Cybercab has evidently received a pretty crazy change from an aesthetic standpoint, as the company has made the decision to offer an additional finish on the vehicle as mass production is starting.
Tesla has officially kicked off mass production of its groundbreaking Cybercab robotaxi at Giga Texas, and the first units rolling off the line feature a striking transformation that’s turning heads across the EV community.
VIN Zero—the very first production Cybercab—showcases a vibrant champagne gold exterior with a high-gloss finish, a dramatic departure from the flat, matte-wrapped prototypes that debuted at the 2024 “We, Robot” event.
Presenting VIN Zero — the very first production Cybercab built at Giga Texas. pic.twitter.com/8bXo4CJAlr
— TechOperator (@TechOperator) April 23, 2026
This glossy sheen is a pretty big pivot from what was initially shown by Tesla. The company has maintained a pretty flat tone in terms of anything related to custom colors or finishes.
A specialized clear coat or process delivers the deep, reflective gloss without conventional painting. The result is a premium, mirror-like shine, and it looks pretty good, and gives the compact two-seater a more luxurious and futuristic presence than the subdued matte prototypes.
Photos shared by Tesla community members reveal VIN Zero in a showroom-like setting at Giga Texas, highlighting refined panel gaps, large aero wheel covers, and the signature no-steering-wheel, no-pedals interior optimized for full autonomy.
The open frunk in some images offers a glimpse of practical storage, while the overall build quality appears more polished than that of test mules.
This glossy evolution aligns with Tesla’s broader production ramp. After the first unit in February 2026, the company has shifted to volume manufacturing, with dozens of units already spotted in outbound lots. CEO Elon Musk and the team aim for hundreds per week, paving the way for unsupervised FSD robotaxi networks that could slash ride costs to pennies per mile.
The Cybercab holds Tesla’s grand ambitions of operating a full-service ride-hailing service without any drivers in its grasp. Tesla has yet to solve autonomy, but is well on its way, and although its timelines are usually a bit off, improvements often come through the Over-the-Air updates to the Full Self-Driving suite.
Tesla launches solution to end Supercharger fights once and for all
Tesla offers awesome Free Supercharging incentive on an unexpected vehicle
