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SpaceX targeting Starlink launch, Starship static fire in 24-hour period
Update: SpaceX has scrubbed Falcon 9’s Starlink 4-1 due to unfavorable weather both at Cape Canaveral and downrange in the Atlantic Ocean. The next available launch opportunity is 7:19am EST (12:19 UTC), November 13th, with forecasts showing an 80% chance of favorable weather – up from 60% for Friday.
The window for Starship S20’s third static fire is now open and while no preparations for the test are visible as of yet, SpaceX has until 2pm CST (20:00 UTC).
SpaceX is scheduled to attempt Falcon 9’s next East Coast Starlink launch and a record-breaking Starship static fire less than eight hours apart on Friday, November 12th.
Barring delays or operational constraints, both of which are fairly likely, that Starship static fire and Starlink launch could technically happen just an hour or two apart. After nearly two weeks of mysterious delays, Starship S20 – SpaceX’s first orbital-class prototype – could easily run into more issues. Nevertheless, after a false-start on November 10th, Ship 20 is currently scheduled to attempt to fire up Raptor engines for the third time between 6am and 2pm CST (12-18:00 UTC).
A thousand miles (~1600 km) east of Boca Chica, Texas, a well-worn Falcon 9 booster is vertical at SpaceX’s Cape Canaveral LC-40 facilities for the company’s first dedicated Florida Starlink launch since May 26th. Weather is about 60% favorable for the ‘Starlink 4-1’ mission, which is set to lift off at 7:40am EST (12:40 UTC).
Unexpectedly, despite the surprise appearance of Falcon 9 booster B1062 – (already attached to a new upper stage) earlier this month, SpaceX has assigned a different rocket to launch Starlink 4-1. Instead of B1062, SpaceX’s first full East Coast batch of laser-linked Starlink V1.5 satellites will be carried into space on Falcon 9 B1058 as part of the booster’s 9th orbital-class launch in less than 18 months. As is now routine, the mission will also launch with two flight-proven fairing halves.
Back in Boca Chica, SpaceX could technically fire up its first orbital Starship prototype less than an hour later. While a test early in the window would be extraordinarily rare, it’s not unprecedented. Generally speaking, from the start of the road closure (no earlier than 6am CST), it takes at least an hour or two to prime pad hardware and load Starship with propellant, meaning that Starship S20’s third static fire is unlikely to occur before 7:30-8am CST (8:30-9am EST).
Depending on what SpaceX goes for, it could arguably also be the most ambitious ground test the company has ever attempted in South Texas. After an oddly long multiweek process, Ship 20 has been outfitted with a full six operational Raptor engines and there’s a real chance that SpaceX intends to fire up all six tomorrow. As of now, SpaceX has never fired more than three Raptor engines on a Starship or Super Heavy prototype, making a six-engine test at least twice as stressful as any test prior for both the pad and rocket. Even at their minimum throttle settings, Starship S20’s six Raptors would likely produce more than 600 tons (1.3M lbf) of thrust, while all six at full thrust (~1100 tons or 2.45M lbf) would briefly make Starship almost 50% more powerful than a Falcon 9 at liftoff.
As usual, there will be no official SpaceX webcast for Starship S20’s possible static fire attempt and delays are more likely than not. Unofficial streams from NASASpaceflight and others are the best place to watch.
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Tesla Diner to transition to full-service restaurant as Chef heads for new venture
“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Tesla Diner, the all-in-one Supercharging and dining experience located in Los Angeles, will transition to a full-service restaurant in January, staff said, as Chef Eric Greenspan said he would take on a new project.
A report from the Los Angeles Times says Greenspan confirmed through a text that he would leave the Diner and focus on the opening of his new Jewish deli, Mish.
Greenspan confirmed to the paper:
“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Greenspan took on the job at the Tesla Diner and curated the menu back in March, focusing on locally-sourced ingredients and items that would play on various company products, like Cybertruck-shaped boxes that hold burgers.
Tesla Cybertruck leftovers are the main course at the Supercharger Diner
The Tesla Diner has operated as somewhat of a self-serve establishment, where Tesla owners can order directly from their vehicles through the center touchscreen. It was not exclusive to Tesla owners. Guests could also enter and order at a counter, and pick up their food, before sitting at a booth or table.
However, the report indicates Tesla is planning to push it toward a sit-down restaurant, full of waiters, waitresses, and servers, all of which will come to a table after you are seated, take your order, and serve your food.
It will be more of a full-featured restaurant experience moving forward, which is an interesting move from the company, but it also sounds as if it could be testing for an expansion.
We know that Tesla is already considering expanding locations, as it will be heading to new areas of the country. CEO Elon Musk has said that Tesla will be considering locations in Palo Alto near the company’s Engineering HQ, and in Austin, where its HQ and Gigafactory Texas are located.
Musk said that the Diner has been very successful in its first few months of operation.
News
Tesla adds new surprising fee to Robotaxi program
“Additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. A fee has been added to your final cost to cover this service. Please contact us if you have any questions.”
Tesla has added a new and somewhat surprising fee to the Robotaxi program. It’s only surprising because it was never there before.
Tesla shocked everyone when it launched its Robotaxi platform and offered riders the opportunity to tip, only to tell them they do not accept tips. It was one of the company’s attempts at being humorous as it rolled out its driverless platform to people in Austin.
As it has expanded to new cities and been opened to more people, as it was yesterday to iOS users, Tesla has had to tweak some of the minor details of the Robotaxi and ride-hailing platforms it operates.
First Look at Tesla’s Robotaxi App: features, design, and more
With more riders, more vehicles, and more operational jurisdictions, the company has to adjust as things become busier.
Now, it is adjusting the platform by adding “Cleaning Fees” to the Robotaxi platform, but it seems it is only charged if the vehicle requires some additional attention after your ride.
The app will communicate with the rider with the following message (via Not a Tesla App):
“Additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. A fee has been added to your final cost to cover this service. Please contact us if you have any questions.”
The cost of the cleaning will likely depend on how severe the mess is. If you spill a soda, it will likely cost less than if you lose your lunch in the back of the car because you had a few too many drinks.
This is an expected change, and it seems to be one that is needed, especially considering Tesla is operating a small-scale ride-hailing service at the current time. As it expands to more states and cities and eventually is available everywhere, there will be more situations that will arise.
The messes in vehicles are not a new situation, especially in a rideshare setting. It will be interesting to see if Tesla will enable other fees, like ones for riders who request a ride and do not show up for it.
News
Tesla Model Y sold out in China for 2025
Customers who wish to get their cars by the end of the year would likely need to get an inventory unit.
It appears that the Model Y has been sold out for 2025 in China. This seems to be true for the four variants of the vehicle that are currently offered in the country.
Tesla China’s order page update
A look at Tesla China’s order page for the Model Y shows a message informing customers that those who wish to guarantee delivery by the end of the year should purchase an inventory unit. This was despite the Model Y RWD and Model Y L showing an estimated delivery timeline of 4-8 weeks, and the Model Y Long Range RWD and Model Y Long Range AWD showing 4-13 weeks.
As per industry watchers, these updates on the Model Y’s order page suggest that Tesla China’s sales capacity for the remainder of 2025 has been sold out. The fact that estimated delivery timeframes for the Model Y Long Range RWD and AWD extend up to 13 weeks also bodes well for demand for the vehicle, especially given strong rivals like the Xiaomi YU7, which undercuts the Model Y in price.
Tesla China’s upcoming big updates
What is quite interesting is that Tesla China is still competing in the country with one hand partly tied behind its back. So far, Tesla has only been able to secure partial approval for its flagship self-driving software, FSD, in China. This has resulted in V14 not being rolled out to the country yet. Despite this, Tesla China’s “Autopilot automatic assisted driving on urban roads,” as the system is called locally, has earned positive reviews from users.
As per Elon Musk during the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting, however, Tesla is expecting to secure full approval for FSD in China in early 2026. “We have partial approval in China, and we hopefully will have full approval in China around February or March or so. That’s what they’ve told us,” Musk said.
Tesla Diner to transition to full-service restaurant as Chef heads for new venture
Tesla adds new surprising fee to Robotaxi program
