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Tesla community comes together to witness Falcon Heavy’s first commercial flight

(Photo: Tom Cross/Teslarati and What's Inside/Twitter)

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As Elon Musk’s private space company, SpaceX, prepares to launch the first commercial mission of Falcon Heavy, a number of Tesla community members are preparing for an experience of a lifetime. Tesla’s previous referral program included a number of secret levels that hold special rewards, among them being an invitation for the Falcon Heavy launch today. Owners who qualified for the reward were given the opportunity to witness the gigantic rocket’s flight with a guest of their choosing.

For some Tesla community members, the Falcon Heavy launch today is worth the long trip to Launch Complex 39A of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, FL. Several electric car owners who sent messages to Teslarati noted that the upcoming flight of SpaceX’s largest operational rocket is something that is not just a lot of fun; it is also something that could be a source of inspiration.

Tesla Model S owner Jim McPherson noted that he resolved to witness the next Falcon Heavy launch after he watched SpaceX propel Elon Musk’s personal Tesla Roadster to space last year. Bringing his family with him to Florida, the Tesla owner noted that he believes the event is a good way to inspire his daughter to like STEM, and at least, “be excited about the future.” The family drove from Washington D.C., using Tesla’s Supercharger Network along the way. “The supercharger network is so well built out on I95 that you really don’t have to worry much about where you will stop. It’s kind of weird it’s so easy compared to how it used to be,” he said.

Fellow Tesla Model S owner Bruce (last name not given) traveled with his daughter from Atlanta. The father-daughter team drove Monday night until Tuesday to get to Florida, camping in the back of their Model S as needed. Just like McPherson, Bruce noted that he wishes for his daughter to be inspired by the Falcon Heavy launch, particularly as she is already in love with rockets. Tesla Model 3 owner Mark (last name also not given) added that he also decided to come and see the Falcon Heavy’s next launch after last year’s maiden flight. During that time, he did not even have a Tesla. Mark drove his Model 3 all the way to Florida for today’s launch, using Navigate on Autopilot most of the way.

Some Tesla owners mentioned that the Falcon Heavy’s launch is something that can simply bring families closer to each other, particularly since events that are experienced together rarely fade from memory. “This is something that me and my kids will remember for the rest of our lives,” Kim, the host of popular Tesla-themed YouTube channel Like Tesla said.

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This is also a motivator for Model 3 owner Sofiaan Fraval, who flew in from California with his wife and child for the event. The Model 3 owner noted that the delays in Falcon Heavy’s launch actually worked in his family’s favor, as the experience turned out to be a mini-vacation. Fraval stated that seeing the Falcon Heavy in person, and interacting with other Tesla enthusiasts, has made the experience amazing — and the rocket hasn’t even launched yet.

For some Tesla owners, Falcon Heavy is simply something that inspires awe and thus must be experienced firsthand. “I am here to feel the power of the worlds largest operational rocket in person,” Will Fealey, President of Tesla Owners Club UK, said. Others, such as Model S owner Eli Burton, see Falcon Heavy’s upcoming commercial flight as a “major milestone” for humanity as a whole. “This is the beginning of a sustainable path for humans to return to space, go to the Moon, and eventually go to Mars. This is now the beginning of private enterprise being the engine that drives humans to becoming a multiplanetary species,” he said.

For now, the Tesla owners at Cape Canaveral remain waiting, hoping that within the next few hours, they can literally witness a moment that will be etched in history. For referring friends to Tesla’s electric cars and energy products, this particular rewards is definitely well worth the journey.

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Tesla brings perhaps the coolest interior feature to cars in latest update

Tesla adds on to the “fun” aspect of its vehicles.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has brought perhaps the coolest interior feature to its cars in a new update that is rolling out to vehicles now.

The feature will require a newer vehicle that has interior ambient lighting, which is present on the new Model S, Model X, Model 3 “Highland,” and Model Y “Juniper.” The Cybertruck also has ambient lighting strips throughout.

Tesla Model Y’s ambient lighting design changes revealed in leaked video

With the Version 2025.26+ Software Update, Tesla is rolling out a new “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music” feature, which is available on the Tesla Toybox:

To enable the feature, you’ll access the Toybox, choose “Light Sync,” and then choose “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music.”

Although it does not improve the performance of the vehicle, it is yet another example of Tesla making one of the coolest cars out there. This is truly a cool add-on that can be used to impress your friends and family.

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xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

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(Credit: xAI)

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area. 

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs

Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.

In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.

“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.

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Musk Foundation donation

Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students. 

The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”

“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.

The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”

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EV fans urge Tesla to acquire Unplugged Performance for edge in fleet and security industry

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles.

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Credit: Unplugged Performance

A growing number of Tesla enthusiasts and longtime community voices are calling on the electric vehicle maker to acquire Unplugged Performance, a California-based aftermarket company best known for tuning Tesla vehicles and developing specialized government fleet solutions under its UP.FIT division.

The idea was once considered a niche proposal among EV fans, but it is now gaining serious attention not just as a performance play but as a strategic move to deepen Tesla’s roots in the fleet and security industry. 

A strategic fit

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles, from track-optimized components to visual and aerodynamic upgrades. But in recent years, its UP.FIT division has pivoted toward a more functional future by outfitting Tesla vehicles like Model Ys for police, military, and government use.

That work has sparked growing calls for closer collaboration with Tesla, especially as the EV maker increasingly leans into autonomy, AI, and fleet services as core components of its next chapter.

“I posted this four years ago, but I think it’s more true now than ever,” wrote Whole Mars Catalog, a well-known Tesla investor and FSD Beta tester, on X. “Tesla should buy Unplugged. But not just as a Performance division. What they are doing with UP.FIT unlocks large government and commercial fleet purchases that can improve utilization.”

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Tesla fans such as shareholder Sawyer Merritt echoed the sentiment, calling Unplugged a “great fit within Tesla.” adding, “They are literally located directly next to Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne.”

Enabling the next wave

Supporters of the idea noted that integrating Unplugged into Tesla’s corporate structure could help accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies in government sectors. With UP.FIT patrol cars already in use across some U.S. police departments, Tesla fans envisioned a future where self-driving Teslas could potentially revolutionize law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and public service logistics.

“Just imagine how autonomous patrol cars could transform policing and bring us into a safer future,” the veteran FSD tester wrote.

The benefits could also extend to Tesla’s existing consumer base. “They also have some incredible products in the works that I think will appeal to many ordinary Tesla drivers — not just those looking for performance or mods. Stuff that’s so good it should have come straight from the design studio next door,” Whole Mars Catalog noted.

Unplugged Performance, founded in 2013, shares not just a product vision with Tesla, but also geography. Its Hawthorne headquarters sits directly adjacent to Tesla’s design studio, and the two companies have maintained a close working relationship over the years. The aftermarket firm has long positioned itself as a “mission-aligned” partner to Tesla.

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In response to the recent calls for acquisition, Unplugged Performance acknowledged the support from the community. “Our very existence is to support the Tesla mission with @UpfitTesla and @UnpluggedTesla,” Unplugged CEO Ben Schaffer posted on X. “We love working with Tesla and are grateful for the community’s support since 2013!”

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