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Trump’s USDOT Nominee Confirms Continuation of Tesla Safety Investigations

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President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Sean Duffy, confirmed that ongoing investigations into Tesla’s advanced driver assistance system will continue under his leadership. During a U.S. Senate hearing, Duffy expressed his commitment to allowing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to complete its probe into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, which is under investigation after four collisions, including a fatal crash in 2023.

The investigation involves 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with the FSD software, and Duffy assured lawmakers that the probe would proceed without interference. Senator Ed Markey pressed Duffy to ensure that NHTSA would operate independently, regardless of political pressures, to which Duffy responded, “I will let NHTSA do their investigation.”

Tesla, which did not respond immediately to requests for comment, has faced increased scrutiny over its driver-assistance systems as the company transitions toward self-driving technology. In addition to the FSD investigation, NHTSA recently launched a separate inquiry into 2.6 million Tesla vehicles concerning a feature called Actually Smart Summon. This system, which allows users to remotely move their cars, has been linked to crashes due to failure to detect obstacles or parked vehicles, prompting further concern over Tesla’s safety protocols.

In December 2023, Tesla recalled over 2 million U.S. vehicles to address safety issues related to the Autopilot system. NHTSA is still investigating whether the recall measures sufficiently mitigate the risk of driver inattention.

Duffy also mentioned that he would review the Federal Aviation Administration’s proposed fine of $633,000 against Musk’s SpaceX for violations of launch license regulations.

 

SpaceX Set to Launch Two Private Lunar Landers in January 2025

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SpaceX is preparing for an exciting mission in January 2025 that will see the launch of two private lunar landers aboard the same Falcon 9 rocket. Firefly Aerospace, an American space company, and ispace, a Japanese aerospace firm, have teamed up for this groundbreaking lunar exploration mission. The rocket, slated for liftoff from Florida’s Space Coast, will carry the two landers on separate trajectories to the Moon. This collaboration between companies from different countries reflects the growing global interest in lunar exploration and the utilization of private companies to advance space research.

The first lander, named ‘Resilience,’ is being deployed by ispace as part of its Mission 2. It is set to land on Mare Frigoris, a region of the Moon known as the “Sea of Cold,” located at 60.5 degrees north of the lunar equator. This mission is particularly significant following the failure of ispace’s previous attempt with the Hakuto-R lander in April 2023, which was halted due to a sensor malfunction. The Resilience lander will carry several experimental payloads, including a water electrolyser, a food-production module, and a microrover named ‘Tenacious.’ Tenacious is expected to collect lunar soil as part of a NASA contract. Resilience will follow a low-energy trajectory to the Moon, with the expected landing occurring four to five months after the January launch.

Firefly Aerospace’s contribution to the mission comes in the form of its ‘Blue Ghost’ lander, which will target Mare Crisium, located 17 degrees north of the lunar equator. The Blue Ghost lander will operate for a full lunar day, which lasts about 14 Earth days, before conducting imaging tasks as the Sun sets over the lunar horizon. This mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, designed to bring innovative technologies and scientific tools to the Moon. Firefly’s Blue Ghost will deliver a suite of science instruments and tech demonstrations, furthering the reach of private space exploration.

Together, these missions represent a significant leap in lunar exploration, with the combined efforts of Firefly Aerospace and ispace marking a new era of international cooperation and technological advancement. With NASA backing both missions through its CLPS program, the dual launch aims to pave the way for future lunar endeavors, providing valuable data that will be instrumental for humanity’s return to the Moon and beyond.

SpaceX Secures FAA Launch License for Starship Flight 7, Paving the Way for 2025 Test

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially granted SpaceX the launch license required for the Starship Flight 7 test, marking a crucial milestone for the development of the world’s most powerful rocket. Announced on December 17, this approval permits SpaceX to advance preparations at its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The license follows an exhaustive series of engine tests on both the Starship spacecraft and its Super Heavy booster to validate their readiness for launch. Although SpaceX has not specified an exact date, industry insiders speculate that the test could take place in early to mid-January 2025.

Rigorous Preparations in Progress

Flight 7 will follow a trajectory similar to earlier tests, involving the launch of the fully stacked Starship and Super Heavy rocket, an attempted booster catch at the launch tower, and a controlled ocean landing of the Starship in the Indian Ocean near Australia. According to the FAA, stringent safety protocols are being enforced, with SpaceX working closely with regulatory bodies to ensure full compliance with operational standards. These measures underscore the agency’s commitment to balancing innovation with public and environmental safety.

Testing Critical Systems

The primary objectives of Flight 7 include demonstrating booster recovery and validating Starship’s capability to perform safe ocean landings. A prior test in November showcased a successful Starship splashdown in the Indian Ocean but encountered issues with the booster recovery system due to sensor malfunctions. Flight 7 seeks to refine and retest these systems, incorporating adjustments derived from previous data to enhance reliability and performance.

Significance for the Starship Program

As SpaceX prepares for this next milestone, the Flight 7 test represents a pivotal step in the Starship program’s long-term goals. These include supporting lunar missions for NASA’s Artemis program and enabling human exploration of Mars. The FAA’s licensing decision, combined with SpaceX’s engineering refinements, brings the company closer to achieving these ambitious objectives, making the Starship project a cornerstone of future space exploration.