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SpaceX Starship SN4 prototype explodes in dramatic fireball

SN4 exploded in a massive fireball shortly after completing its fifth static fire test. (NASASpaceflight - bocachicagal)

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SpaceX’s latest Starship prototype, SN4, exploded today following a static fire test. The explosion happened around 1:49 p.m. CDT (11849 GMT), at the company’s testing site in South Texas. The incident produced a massive fireball, which erupted about a minute after the brief static fire test.

Today’s test is the fifth static fire test of this particular prototype, and the second this week. On May 28, the prototype successfully fired up for its fourth test and everything seemed to go as planned. No word yet on what caused today’s anomaly.

SpaceX was gearing up for a hop test of this particular prototype, with the craft expected to take flight on Monday, June 1. SpaceX received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) yesterday for the upcoming test flight, during which the craft will soar to 500 feet (150 meters).

SN4 is the latest prototype in a series of developmental craft that SpaceX has been building as it designs its Starship rocket. Each prototype has met a similar fiery end, with one having already completed a short hop. SN4 has survived longer than any of its predecessors, but luckily SpaceX has its next iteration nearly complete.

Dubbed SN5, that vehicle will complete the company’s next round of tests. The license SpaceX received from the FAA is very different from previous permits and enables the company to have more freedom. For instance, previous licenses have listed specific height limits and only allowed for a single flight. This launch license is more a blanket permission.

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Starhopper’s ACS pods work to keep the Starship prototype stable just prior to landing on August 27th. (SpaceX)

When it’s completed, Starship will stand approximately 165-feet-tall (50 meters) and will be able to carry astronauts and cargo to the moon, Mars, and beyond. SpaceX says they’ve designed the craft to launch on a Super Heavy booster and carry as many as 100 people into space.

Last month, the still-in-development craft snagged a major accolade: a NASA contract to potentially deliver astronauts to the moon as part of NASA’s upcoming Artemis moon program. The first Artemis flights are expected to take off in 2024, with crewed flights following soon after.

Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are preparing the pilot the Crew Dragon spacecraft to the ISS. Credit: NASA

This explosion comes on the eve of another major milestone for SpaceX — launching astronauts to the International Space Station. That mission, called Demo-2, will feature a Falcon 9 rocket, and Crew Dragon spacecraft that will transport two astronauts into space. The flight was originally scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, but poor weather at the launch site prevented the rocket from lifting off. 

NASA and SpaceX are now targeting a new launch day of May 30 at 3:22 p.m. EDT (1522 GMT).

I write about space, science, and future tech.

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Ford cancels all-electric F-150 Lightning, announces $19.5 billion in charges

“Rather than spending billions more on large EVs that now have no path to profitability, we are allocating that money into higher returning areas, more trucks and van hybrids, extended range electric vehicles, affordable EVs, and entirely new opportunities like energy storage.”

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Credit: Ford Motor Co.

Ford is canceling the all-electric F-150 Lightning and also announced it would take a $19.5 billion charge as it aims to quickly restructure its strategy regarding electrification efforts, a massive blow for the Detroit-based company that was once one of the most gung-ho on transitioning to EVs.

The announcement comes as the writing on the wall seemed to get bolder and more identifiable. Ford was bleeding money in EVs and, although it had a lot of success with the all-electric Lightning, it is aiming to push its efforts elsewhere.

It will also restructure its entire strategy on EVs, and the Lightning is not the only vehicle getting the boot. The T3 pickup, a long-awaited vehicle that was developed in part of a skunkworks program, is also no longer in the company’s plans.

Instead of continuing on with its large EVs, it will now shift its focus to hybrids and “extended-range EVs,” which will have an onboard gasoline engine to increase traveling distance, according to the Wall Street Journal.

“Ford no longer plans to produce select larger electric vehicles where the business case has eroded due to lower-than-expected demand, high costs, and regulatory changes,” the company said in a statement.

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While unfortunate, especially because the Lightning was a fantastic electric truck, Ford is ultimately a business, and a business needs to make money.

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Ford has lost $13 billion on its EV business since 2023, and company executives are more than aware that they gave it plenty of time to flourish.

Andrew Frick, President of Ford, said:

“Rather than spending billions more on large EVs that now have no path to profitability, we are allocating that money into higher returning areas, more trucks and van hybrids, extended range electric vehicles, affordable EVs, and entirely new opportunities like energy storage.”

CEO Jim Farley also commented on the decision:

“Instead of plowing billions into the future knowing these large EVs will never make money, we are pivoting.”

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Farley also said that the company now knows enough about the U.S. market “where we have a lot more certainty in this second inning.”

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SpaceX shades airline for seeking contract with Amazon’s Starlink rival

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Credit: Richard Angle

SpaceX employees, including its CEO Elon Musk, shaded American Airlines on social media this past weekend due to the company’s reported talks with Amazon’s Starlink rival, Leo.

Starlink has been adopted by several airlines, including United Airlines, Qatar Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, WestJet, Air France, airBaltic, and others. It has gained notoriety as an extremely solid, dependable, and reliable option for airline travel, as traditional options frequently cause users to lose connection to the internet.

Many airlines have made the switch, while others continue to mull the options available to them. American Airlines is one of them.

A report from Bloomberg indicates the airline is thinking of going with a Starlink rival owned by Amazon, called Leo. It was previously referred to as Project Kuiper.

American CEO Robert Isom said (via Bloomberg):

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“While there’s Starlink, there are other low-Earth-orbit satellite opportunities that we can look at. We’re making sure that American is going to have what our customers need.”

Isom also said American has been in touch with Amazon about installing Leo on its aircraft, but he would not reveal the status of any discussions with the company.

The report caught the attention of Michael Nicolls, the Vice President of Starlink Engineering at SpaceX, who said:

“Only fly on airlines with good connectivity… and only one source of good connectivity at the moment…”

CEO Elon Musk replied to Nicolls by stating that American Airlines risks losing “a lot of customers if their connectivity solution fails.”

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There are over 8,000 Starlink satellites in orbit currently, offering internet coverage in over 150 countries and territories globally. SpaceX expands its array of satellites nearly every week with launches from California and Florida, aiming to offer internet access to everyone across the globe.

SpaceX successfully launches 100th Starlink mission of 2025

Currently, the company is focusing on expanding into new markets, such as Africa and Asia.

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Tesla Model Y Standard stuns in new range test, besting its Premium siblings

Tesla’s newer vehicles have continued to meet or exceed their EPA estimates. This is a drastic change, as every 2018-2023 model year Tesla that Edmunds assessed did not meet its range estimates.

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Credit: Tesla

The Tesla Model Y Standard stunned in a new range test performed by automotive media outlet Edmunds, besting all of its Premium siblings that are more expensive and more luxurious in terms of features.

Testing showed the Model Y Standard exceeded its EPA-estimated range rating of 321 miles, as Edmunds said it is the “longest-range Model Y that we’ve ever put on our loop.” In the past, some vehicles have come up short in comparison with EPA ranges; for example, the Model Y’s previous generation vehicle had an EPA-estimated range of 330 miles, but only drove 310.

Additionally, the Launch Series Model Y, the first configuration to be built in the “Juniper” program, landed perfectly on the EPA’s range estimates at 327 miles.

It was also more efficient than Premium offerings, as it utilized just 22.8 kWh to go 100 miles. The Launch Series used 26.8 kWh to travel the same distance.

It is tested using Edmunds’ traditional EV range testing procedure, which follows a strict route of 60 percent city and 40 percent highway driving. The average speed throughout the trip is 40 MPH, and the car is required to stay within 5 MPH of all posted speed limits.

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Each car is also put in its most efficient drive setting, and the climate is kept on auto at 72 degrees.

“All of this most accurately represents the real-world driving that owners do day to day,” the publication says.

With this procedure, testing is as consistent as it can get. Of course, there are other factors, like temperature and traffic density. However, one thing is important to note: Tesla’s newer vehicles have continued to meet or exceed their EPA estimates. This is a drastic change, as every 2018-2023 model year Tesla that Edmunds assessed did not meet its range estimates.

Tesla Model Y Standard vs. Tesla Model Y Premium

Tesla’s two Model Y levels both offer a great option for whichever fits your budget. However, when you sit in both cars, you will notice distinct differences between them.

The Premium definitely has a more luxurious feel, while the Standard is stripped of many of the more premium features, like Vegan Leather Interior, acoustic-lined glass, and a better sound system.

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You can read our full review of the Model Y Standard below:

Tesla Model Y Standard Full Review: Is it worth the lower price?

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