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SpaceX’s next-gen Falcon 9 spied continuing tests in Texas

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Awaiting the first static fire of SpaceX’s newest upgraded Falcon 9, known as Block 5, local observers and SpaceX fans alike have been on high alert ever since the first booster (B1046) went vertical at the company’s McGregor, TX facilities on Feb. 26.

Preparing for a suite of tests ahead of its inaugural launch from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, B1046 has been quiet in Texas for much longer than most Falcon hardware. Much like the additional static fires they complete at SpaceX’s launch facilities, boosters are meant to spend less than a week or two on the static fire test stand in McGregor – several days to set up, a few days to complete the static fire, and several days to validate the data gathered and ensure that the hardware is still healthy. 1046, however, has remained vertical at the TX test stand for a bit more than three weeks, and only appears to have ignited once for very brief (~1s) firing around two weeks ago.

 

According to photos taken by Reddit user HollywoodSX, the booster is still vertical at the stand as of March 20, and is now sporting what looks like an odd splotch above its relocated “SpaceX” logo. At this point, it can be assumed that SpaceX is cautious with significantly new Falcon 9 hardware, carefully testing a booster with fairly new structures, heat-shielding, Merlin 1Ds, and an array of additional refinements.

Perhaps the first static fire attempt was scrubbed prematurely; perhaps it was intentionally brief to check out startup parameters for all nine Merlins; or perhaps it began as a wet dress rehearsal (propellant loading test) that proceeded into an ignition test. More probably, however, the first routine static fire attempt likely uncovered some minor bugs in the booster’s new hardware or design, signified by the fact that B1046 appears to have remained vertical for the entire interim period. Had serious problems been uncovered, the rocket would have been brought horizontal and taken inside SpaceX’s on-site facilities for in-depth analysis, disassembly, and repairs or modifications.

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Moreover, SpaceX shipped another Falcon 9 booster out of its Hawthorne, CA factory on Monday, March 19. Barring something far outside the norm, the above booster is almost certainly B1047, better known as the second-ever Block 5 first stage. 1047’s shipment would all but guarantee that 1046’s testing is progressing largely as planned. If there were, in fact, major issues with the rocket leading to unplanned delays, 1047 would almost certainly remain at SpaceX’s Hawthorne factory until the problems with the booster in McGregor could be properly characterized. If repairs or modifications had to occur, Hawthorne is a far more convenient and optimal environment to complete them, and delaying shipment would also avoid unnecessarily taking the risk and wasting the week or so it takes to prepare and ship the rocket cross-country.

All things considered, Block 5’s inaugural flight appears to be moving forward slowly but surely, and anyone with interest in aerospace is eagerly awaiting its first flights. As of March 18, the satellite – Bangabandhu-1 – is still in France, awaiting confirmation from SpaceX of T-15 days to launch before shipping out to Florida. Tentatively scheduled for launch NET April 5, that date would appear to need SpaceX’s confirmation today – any later and the launch is likely to be delayed equivalently.

Up next for SpaceX is the fifth launch for Iridium Communications, NET March 29 from California. Days later, SpaceX’s next reused Cargo Dragon mission (CRS-14) is scheduled to lift off from SpaceX’s Florida LC-40 pad on April 2. Both launches will feature sooty, flight-proven Falcon 9 boosters and will be covered live by Teslarati’s photographers Pauline Acalin and Tom Cross.

Follow us for live updates, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, and a sea of beautiful photos from our East and West coast photographers.

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Eric Ralph is Teslarati's senior spaceflight reporter and has been covering the industry in some capacity for almost half a decade, largely spurred in 2016 by a trip to Mexico to watch Elon Musk reveal SpaceX's plans for Mars in person. Aside from spreading interest and excitement about spaceflight far and wide, his primary goal is to cover humanity's ongoing efforts to expand beyond Earth to the Moon, Mars, and elsewhere.

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Starlink India’s license faces delay due to regulatory requirements

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(Credit: Starlink/X)

SpaceX’s satellite internet venture Starlink has yet to secure an operating license in India. Starlink is facing regulatory delays in India despite ongoing progress.

India’s Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed that the company must meet stringent requirements before launching services in the country.

“The process is ongoing. The minute they meet all conditions — including setting up gateways in India and registering user terminals locally — we are ready to issue the license,” Scindia told local media.

The licensing process involves multiple agencies in India, including the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe). These agencies are evaluating Starlink’s compliance with India’s technical, administrative, and national security standards.

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Scindia emphasized Starlink’s need for domestic registration of user terminals and local gateways to address data sovereignty and internal security concerns.

“It’s not only related to DoT but also to internal security — gateways have to be in India, any user terminal has to be registered in India…the minute they check all the boxes, which I also hope will be soon, the license should be given,” he added.

The requirements reflect India’s cautious approach to integrating foreign satellite providers into its telecom ecosystem. The delay comes amid broader industry calls for enhanced connectivity. At Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal urged regulators to support telecom operators in closing the global connectivity gap for 400 million people, particularly in rural India. He advocated for resource sharing between terrestrial and satellite operators to avoid duplicative investments.

Bharti Airtel and Jio Platforms signed agreements with SpaceX to help expand Starlink services in India. The agreements are contingent on the Indian government approving Starlink’s license.

Starlink’s potential entry into India could bolster rural connectivity, but regulatory hurdles remain a significant barrier. As the company works to meet India’s conditions, its progress is closely watched by telecom operators and regulators alike. The outcome could shape the role of satellite internet in addressing India’s digital divide, aligning with global efforts to expand access through collaborative infrastructure investments.

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SpaceX investment fuels Alphabet’s $8 billion profit surge

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(Credit: SpaceX/X)

Alphabet Inc.’s first-quarter profit soared, boosted by an $8 billion unrealized gain from its investment in SpaceX. Since 2015, Alphabet has been a key SpaceX investor, joining Fidelity Investments to inject $1 billion for a 10% stake in the space firm.

The tech giant reported a 46% surge in net income to $34.54 billion, driven by strong advertising revenues and the SpaceX windfall, Bloomberg reported Thursday, citing a person familiar with the matter. SpaceX’s valuation hit approximately $350 billion in December, cementing its status as one of the world’s most valuable private companies. The company thrives on NASA contracts and its Starlink satellite internet service, which provides direct-to-consumer connectivity.

Unlike Tesla, SpaceX has largely sidestepped public backlash tied to CEO Elon Musk despite growing scrutiny. The Tesla Takedown movement, emboldened by Tesla’s first-quarter 2025 earnings, plans to target Musk’s other ventures, including SpaceX and Starlink.

Starlink faces its own challenges abroad. For instance, Ukraine is exploring Starlink alternatives developed by the European Union. Ukraine and EU member states have become increasingly worried about Elon Musk, which is being reflected in SpaceX’s Starlink contracts on the continent. However, Starlink remains critical for Ukraine’s battlefield connectivity, with EU alternatives lagging behind SpaceX’s robust internet capabilities.

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Alphabet’s financial windfall underscores SpaceX’s growing influence in the space and satellite internet sectors. The $8 billion gain from “non-marketable equity securities,” identified as SpaceX, highlights the strategic value of Alphabet’s early investment. While Tesla grapples with public and activist scrutiny, SpaceX’s government contracts and Starlink’s consumer reach provide a buffer, though not immunity, from Musk-related controversies.

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T-Mobile cuts Starlink Cellular service price, eyes broader access

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(Credit: T-Mobile)

T-Mobile cut the price of its Starlink cellular service to $10 per month as it gears up for a July launch and aims to broaden access. The carrier also seeks FCC approval to extend Starlink cellular service to legacy devices, citing life-saving potential.

“After gauging the incredible response from customers—including broader than expected interest from competitor’s customers—we’ve set our final launch pricing for T-Satellite at just $10 a month,” T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert said during a Thursday earnings call.

The $10 price applies to T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon customers. Non-T-Mobile users can access the service via a downloadable eSIM. “This gen one pricing will be good for at least a year,” Sievert added.

Initially, T-Mobile announced during a Super Bowl ad that the Starlink beta service would be free for its highest-tier plan until year-end. Other T-Mobile users would pay $15 monthly, while customers from other carriers would be charged $20.

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An early adopter discount briefly offered T-Mobile users a $10 rate. The new universal $10 pricing reflects T-Mobile’s aggressive push to outpace AT&T and Verizon, which are developing satellite services with partners like AST SpaceMobile.

Starlink Cellular service, powered by over 560 satellites, functions as an orbiting cell tower, enabling text-based messaging in rural and remote areas. Data downloads and voice calls may follow later this year.

T-Mobile’s filing with the Federal Communications Commission requests expanded access for legacy devices, arguing that current rules limiting service to newer phones exclude many users. The carrier emphasized that broader access could enhance connectivity in critical situations.

T-Mobile’s price cut and FCC push signal a strategic effort to dominate the satellite connectivity market. By leveraging SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, the carrier aims to deliver affordable, widespread service while addressing regulatory hurdles. The move could reshape how rural users access mobile networks, especially as competitors ramp up their satellite offerings. With the July launch approaching, T-Mobile’s focus on affordability and inclusivity positions it as a key player in the evolving satellite communication landscape.

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